As St. Kitts and Nevis prepares to host the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in February 2026, the nation’s Youth Ambassadors are articulating a powerful vision for regional progress. Aquanjé Robinson and Siobhan Phipps-Harding, representing St. Kitts and Nevis as CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, have issued a compelling call for transformative action that centers youth innovation and measurable outcomes.
The ambassadors framed their message against a backdrop of global challenges, noting that geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and escalating climate threats disproportionately affect Small Island Developing States. Robinson emphasized that these intersecting crises demand urgent collective response, stating that Caribbean youth constitute both the resilience and sustainable partnership needed for meaningful solutions.
Phipps-Harding highlighted the critical timing of this milestone meeting, characterizing it as a clarion call for Caribbean unity and self-determination. She stressed that adaptation to rapid change requires investing in systems that protect citizens while developing skills that retain talent within the region.
Both ambassadors articulated a paradigm shift in how youth participation should be conceptualized, asserting that young people are not merely future leaders but present-day innovators capable of co-creating solutions. They called for policy frameworks that translate into tangible impacts, particularly through initiatives promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The youth representatives concluded with a reaffirmation of regional solidarity, expressing optimism about the Caribbean’s future precisely because of the active role youth are prepared to play in shaping it. Their statement serves as both endorsement and challenge to CARICOM leaders set to convene in St. Kitts and Nevis for this historic gathering.