Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, has officially assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on January 1, 2026, marking the beginning of his six-month tenure leading the regional bloc. In his inaugural New Year address to the Caribbean populace, Dr. Drew outlined his vision for strengthened integration and collective action during a period of global uncertainty.
The new chairman acknowledged the leadership of his predecessor, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who guided the community through significant regional challenges. Dr. Drew emphasized that regional integration remains essential rather than optional in today’s volatile global landscape, reaffirming CARICOM’s foundational principles established in the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Dr. Drew highlighted CARICOM’s historical achievements, noting how the organization has expanded markets through economic cooperation, facilitated cross-border movement of skills, and advanced functional cooperation in health, disaster response, education, and climate advocacy. He particularly emphasized the region’s disproportionate contributions to global culture, sports, and intellectual thought despite its relatively small size.
The address addressed several pressing regional issues, including the ongoing situation in Haiti, which Dr. Drew described as requiring sustained regional engagement. He confirmed CARICOM’s continued support through the Eminent Persons Group as Haiti prepares for general elections in 2026 and implements UN Security Council Resolution 2793 regarding gang suppression.
Dr. Drew also referenced recent public disagreements among member states, acknowledging that while differences are natural in a diverse community, they must be managed with mutual respect and regional responsibility. He stressed that CARICOM was designed as a forum for constructive dialogue where collective strength outweighs individual disagreements.
The chairman announced that St. Kitts and Nevis will host the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government from February 24-27, 2026, inviting fellow leaders to engage actively on priority issues affecting the region’s welfare.
Concluding with a call to action, Dr. Drew urged Caribbean citizens and leaders to recommit to regional principles, strengthen institutions, and speak with one voice on the global stage to secure the future of Caribbean civilization.