Caribbean Leaders Head To St. Lucia for Security, Climate and Growth Talks

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ST. LUCIA – It’s a big week not only for The Bahamas but nations across the Caribbean.

This as the 51st regular meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government is now underway in St. Lucia.

Regional leaders are expected to tackle some of the Caribbean’s most pressing challenges, including security, food and energy resilience, climate change and the future of regional development.

Our Joshua Williams is in Gros Islet, St. Lucia with the story.

It’s a gathering that leaders across the Caribbean look forward to each year.

This year, St. Lucia is hosting the 51st regular meeting of the conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean community, or CARICOM.

It marks the third time the island has hosted the summit, having previously done so in 1999 and 2009.

The meeting also signals the start of St. Lucia’s six-month term as chair of CARICOM, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre assuming the rotating leadership role.

So what exactly is on the agenda?

From Monday, July 6th through Wednesday, July 8th, regional heads of government will hold a series of business sessions focused on some of the region’s most pressing issues, like food and energy security, climate change and regional transportation.

On Saturday night, a Bahamian delegation led by Prime Minister Philip Davis arrived in St. Lucia.

The prime minister is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell and other senior government officials.

A Bahamian youth ambassador, is also here to take part in the meetings.