Belize Participates in CARICOM Summit as Regional Leaders Tackle Key Issues

Belize joined Caribbean leaders this week at the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St. Lucia, where regional integration, climate change, security, and the rising cost of living topped the agenda.

Prime Minister John Briceño was represented at the July 5–8 summit by Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre, who led Belize’s delegation.

Regional leaders discussed a range of pressing issues, including the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, climate finance, food and nutrition security, reparations, public health preparedness, governance, border issues, and developments in Haiti and Cuba. Leaders also approved the admission of French Guiana as CARICOM’s eighth Associate Member.

During the Heads of Government Retreat, regional leaders examined strategies to address crime, security, and the increasing cost of living. They also discussed the process for reappointing the CARICOM Secretary-General and agreed to seek an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice on legal questions surrounding the reappointment process.

Belize used the summit to promote deeper regional integration, stronger climate resilience, and coordinated responses to the challenges facing Small Island Developing States. Sylvestre also updated regional leaders on Belize–Guatemala relations and other national issues.

On the sidelines of the conference, Belize held bilateral meetings with delegations from Saint Lucia, Cuba, Republic of Korea, and Australia to discuss climate change, sargassum management, trade, technical cooperation, COP31, and collaboration in international forums.