In his inaugural address to CARICOM leaders, newly elected Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Godwin Friday delivered a powerful endorsement of regional integration while acknowledging the organization’s historical challenges. Speaking at the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in St. Kitts, Friday emphasized the critical importance of collective action during increasingly perilous global conditions.
The Vincentian leader, whose New Democratic Party secured a decisive 14-1 electoral victory ending nearly 25 years of incumbent rule, acknowledged his newcomer status while expressing optimism about bringing fresh perspectives to regional governance. Friday characterized CARICOM as “much maligned but still beloved,” noting that despite periods of near-collapse, failed meetings, and public criticism that sometimes labeled the organization “Carigone,” the integration spirit has not only endured but attracted new membership applications.
Friday identified multiple pressing challenges requiring coordinated regional response, including climate change resilience, poverty elimination, workforce development, currency obstacles, and the humanitarian crisis in Cuba alongside security concerns in Haiti. He argued that in a world where international norms are shifting unpredictably, CARICOM members “need each other more than ever” to withstand political and economic headwinds.
The Prime Minister proposed two fundamental shifts in CARICOM’s approach: greater transparency about accomplishments to enhance public awareness and credibility, and more inclusive engagement with citizenry rather than limiting discussions to government technocrats. He concluded with an urgent appeal to “quicken the pace” of integration efforts, recognizing that while the road ahead remains arduous, collective determination makes the journey viable and safer for future generations.