The UK government is hosting Caricom ministers at the sixth UK/Caribbean Minis-terial Forum in London from July 14-16 to discuss climate change, security and justice and other issues.
According to a press release FCO Minister Meg Munn who is co-chairing the event noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in Tilbury with about 500 passengers from Jamaica to start a new life in the UK.
“This year we have been celebrating this landmark event in our history and the valuable contribution that Caribbean communities have made- and continue to make- to life in this country,” she said.
Munn said the British and Caribbean governments enjoy close relations and the Forum “is an important tool for maintaining and deepening these relationships, providing us with a unique opportunity to share perspectives on some of the most important issues and problems that face all our societies today.”
The Caribbean agenda will also include economic development, energy and food security and education.
Munn is co-chairing this year’s Forum with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Baldwin Spencer.
It will be opened by Foreign Secretary David Miliband at a reception at the FCO on Monday. Guests at the reception are expected to include senior parliamentarians and prominent Britons from business, academia, the arts and media as well as experts on climate change and sustainable tourism.
According to the release the Forum was first established in 1998 and is held every two years.
This is the sixth Forum, the release said.
The UK will be represented by ministers from a number of government departments.
