Addressing the 44th Heads of Govern-ment’s meeting in Grenada on Sunday, the outgoing Chairman of CARICOM, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali said that the region continues to be buffeted by climate change and other crises that did not originate with it.
Despite this, the region continues to face these issues with considerable fortitude. The Chairman acknowledged that CARICOM’s contributions and efforts are often overshadowed by glamorous headlines elsewhere, yet he stressed that correcting this narrative is crucial for acknowledging the true impact and relevance of CARICOM.
Addressing rising global prices, the President pointed out the systemic failures that exacerbate economic strain on the region. He highlighted that, in recent years, CARICOM nations have had to redirect resources from critical areas like education and infrastructure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort was largely funded by regional budgets with limited international assistance, underscoring the remarkable achievements despite global economic pressures.