Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, joined his colleague Prime Ministers and other Government representatives on Friday for the Twentieth Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting featured the handover of chairmanship between Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Prime Minister Mia Mottley was commended for her astute leadership of the regional body during difficult times.

Dr. Mitchell added his voice to those commending the Barbadian leader saying, “As chairman of CARICOM, regional leaders are required to balance domestic duties with their regional responsibilities. In the particular period that Prime Minister Mottley served as chairman, individual countries and the region as a whole were experiencing the unprecedented impact of a global pandemic, which has left economies significantly affected. The situation called for several emergency meetings of CARICOM, and Prime Minister Mottley demonstrated true leadership throughout. I must commend her for a job well done.”

Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent has accepted the reins and will serve as CARICOM chairman for the next six months. 

The issue of regional air transport is expected to be a major focus for Caribbean leaders in the immediate future. Dr. Mitchell and other regional heads have expressed confidence in the new chairman to continue leading CARICOM through this pandemic and to resolving the air transport issue. At Friday’s meeting, Dr. Mitchell suggested that a minute of silence be observed for the late Barbadian cricketer, Sir Everton Weeks, a suggestion that was well received by all in attendance.