Caricom Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett has praised member states for their exceptional resilience throughout 2025, a year marked by unprecedented natural disasters and geopolitical turbulence. In her comprehensive year-end address, Barnett highlighted how regional vulnerabilities were exposed by these challenges while simultaneously demonstrating the critical importance of collective action.
The catastrophic impact of Category-Five Hurricane Melissa created profound devastation across Jamaica and Haiti, resulting in tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. Barnett emphasized that recovery efforts will demand substantial resources and extended timeframes. Concurrently, the region faced significant geopolitical pressures that threatened export revenues, regional stability, and national sovereignty.
Despite these formidable challenges, Caricom nations mobilized rapidly to address urgent humanitarian needs following the hurricane season while implementing innovative strategies to protect commercial enterprises and livelihoods. Barnett specifically commended four member states—Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines—for their pioneering decision to implement full freedom of movement for citizens under the Caricom Single Market and Economy framework, significantly advancing regional economic integration.
Substantial progress has been achieved in developing a comprehensive Caricom Industrial Policy and Strategy, establishing foundations for enhanced productive capacity, innovation, and economic diversification. Agricultural sectors witnessed production growth through the continued implementation of the 25 by 2025+ strategy, though hurricane damage and climate-related events created severe setbacks for farming communities.
The cultural sphere flourished with CARIFESTA XV in Barbados celebrating the region’s artistic excellence, while democratic traditions were strengthened through peaceful general elections in seven member states and five associate members.
Looking forward, Caricom will prioritize examining artificial intelligence implications for business, expanding physical and digital connectivity, strengthening disaster resilience, and enhancing food security programs. Barnett expressed particular gratitude to regional citizens, secretariat staff, international partners, civil society organizations, and the diaspora for their sustained engagement.
The outcomes from high-level meetings in Barbados and Jamaica demonstrated strategic focus on trade, regional security, foreign policy coordination, reparations, governance, human development, and climate change. Barnett concluded with an invitation for all stakeholders to collectively advance toward a future characterized by resilience, prosperity, and unity.