2022 Annual Report of the Secretary General by Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

ANNUAL REPORT of the Secretary-General 2022

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT Guyana 2022

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat P.O. Box 10827 Greater Georgetown Guyana Tel:

(592) 222 0001-0075

Fax:

(592) 222 0170/71

E-mail:

communications@caricom.org

URL:

http://www.caricom.org

ISBN

978-976-600-513-9

Our Mission The Community works together to deepen integration and build resilience so as to:

•

Affirm the collective identity and facilitate social cohesion of the people of the Community.

•

Realise our human potential as defined by the Ideal Caribbean Person, full employment and full enjoyment of human rights.

•

Ensure that social and economic justice and the principles of good governance are enshrined in law and embedded in practice.

•

Systematically reduce poverty, unemployment and social exclusion and their impacts.

•

Mainstream all aspects of sustainable development, including the environmental, economic and social dimensions.

•

Create the environment for innovation, the development and application of technology, productivity and global competitiveness, in which the collective strength of the Region is unleashed.

•

Promote optimum sustainable use of the Region’s natural resources on land and in the marine environment, and protect and preserve the health and integrity of the environment.

•

Encourage citizens to willingly accept responsibility to contribute to the welfare of their fellow citizens and to the common good, practice healthy living and lifestyles, respect the rule of law, protect the assets of the Community, and abhor corruption, crime and criminality in all its forms.

•

Project one voice on international issues.

•

Increase savings and the flow of investment within the Community.

Our Core Values UNITY/TOGETHERNESS:

We commit to winning hearts and minds to work towards a robust and inclusive Caribbean Community, able to work together to preserve the gains of regional integration and address the current challenges of economic recovery and growth and sustainable human development. We celebrate the strength of both the shared and diverse aspects of our culture, heritage, and communities.

EQUITY:

INTEGRITY:

We emphasise the reach of services and benefits to all stakeholders across the Community. We practise a consistent commitment to honesty, trustworthiness and that which is morally correct in our relationships and operations. We are passionate about what we do and what we belief in the value of regional integration to enable the development of our Member States.

PEOPLE CENTEREDNESS:

We emphasise the pivotal role of the peoples of the Community at all levels and in all spheres of endeavour to embrace regional integration and the benefits it continues to offer.

PERFORMANCE DRIVEN/RESULTS FOCUSED:

We emphasise the importance of targeted results in achieving sectoral/cross sectoral as well as institutional strengthening goals. We value productivity and we pursue good management practices with planning and implementation of our work and effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting to ensure the desired results are achieved.

GOOD GOVERNANCE:

We have an abiding respect for human rights, the rule of law, and take action to ensure social and economic justice for the people of the Community. We provide proactive, visionary leadership for promoting and reinforcing the spirit and commitment to regional integration, emphasising transparency, accountability and operational excellence within all Organs and Institutions in the Community. We rely on research for evidence-based decision-making at all levels, with a systematic approach to monitoring and measuring policy outcomes and impacts

GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT:

We are committed to good environmental management and the protection of the Region’s natural assets across all sectors of development; and empowering the peoples of the Community in their preparation for and management of the impacts of natural and manmade hazards and the effects of climate change.

Contents LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL INTRODUCTION SECTION I

ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

Page 1

Building Economic Resilience & Building Technological Resilience Agricultural and Agro-industrial Development Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Energy Sustainable Development Services Transportation SECTION II

SINGLE MARKET AND TRADE

Page 18

CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Trade SECTION III

HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Page 31

Building Social Resilience Human Resource Development (HRD) Health Sector Development Gender Development Youth Development Community Development and Culture Reparations for Native Genocide and Slavery Security Cooperation Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) SECTION IV

FOREIGN POLICY COORDINATION AND FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Page 51

Relations with Third States, Groups of States and Organisations Foreign Policy coordination Relations with Third States and Groups of States Multilateral and Hemispheric Relations SECTION V

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Strengthening the CARICOM (Identity) and Spirit of Community Community Relations Order of the Caribbean Community Accreditations Legal Support to the Community; Agreements Signed/Ratified

Page 68

SECTION VI

THE CARIBBEAN FORUM OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC GROUP OF STATES

Page 78

(CARIFORUM) SECTION VII

OPERATIONS OF THE CARICOM SECRETARTIAT

Page 84

Principal Administrative Organ Conference Services Communications Information Technology (IT) Internal Audit Finance and Budget SECTION VIII

Appendices

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Acronyms

Page 92

Letter of Transmittal July 2022 To: The Conference of Heads of Government

We have come to the end of another year during which strenuous efforts have been made to ensure that the integration process improves the lives of the people of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). On the cusp of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas in July 1973, there is much that we can look back on with pride and celebrate about our integration movement. A clear demonstration of the dynamic nature of our integration movement was an agreement on a Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to allow enhanced cooperation among Member States which permits those countries ready to implement a decision to go ahead, with others joining when able. This dynamism was further exemplified when, on reviewing the Community’s governance systems to facilitate more effective decision-making and to ensure follow-up on the Community agenda, Heads of Government increased the regularity of their virtual meetings while maintaining two face-toface meetings annually. The signing in March of the Declaration of St. George’s Towards the Reduction of Intra-CARICOM Roaming Charges was a key factor in advancing the CARICOM Single ICT Space as well as the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and is of immense value to citizens of the Community. Although the new roaming arrangement did not provide for complete elimination of roaming charges within the CARICOM space, operators indicated that savings would be in the order of 70-98 per cent depending on the service and the market. This is an interim measure, but a significant milestone with respect to the Single ICT Space in our Region. The movement of skilled workers received a boost as Heads of Government agreed on definitions of and qualifications for household domestics, agricultural workers and private security officers. In the case of agricultural workers, it could not be more timely as we seek to boost production to meet the target of reducing our food import bill by 25 percent by 2025. That initiative gained momentum with two fora in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago designed to encourage investment in the agri-food sector being successfully staged. All hands are on deck in this drive led by H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali,

President of Guyana, and including the private sector, the agricultural community and with emphasis on encouraging youth participation. The people of Haiti also need support as they seek to resolve the multi-faceted crises facing the country. The Community has been actively involved in seeking a solution and has stressed the importance of including civil society in the dialogue, to ensure good governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights as set out in the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society. This approach was reiterated at Meetings of the United Nations Security Council by our representatives and emphasised to the UN Secretary-General during his meeting with the Heads of Government in July, in Suriname. The discussions during that session also focused on climate change and COP27 held in Egypt in December. Even though that Conference agreed to establish a Loss and Damage Fund, which is yet to be fully defined and established, Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) were disappointed with the little or no commitment by major emitters to do what is necessary to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5 degrees. It was with much joy and satisfaction that we celebrated with Cuba in December, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the independent States of CARICOM and the Twentieth Anniversary of CARICOM-Cuba Day. We are proud of our shared Caribbean identity and the strong and high level of our mutually beneficial relations. This year saw four (4) outstanding Caribbean citizens bestowed with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the Region’s highest award: Dame Billie Miller, former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados; Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, former CARICOM Secretary-General; Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and Mr. David Rudder, the exceptional calypsonian. These deserving recipients provide a fine example of Caribbean excellence for our youth to emulate. This past year has seen us begin to emerge slowly from the shadows of the adverse social and economic effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The threat of the virus has not evaporated and neither has the debt crisis nor the climate crisis. However, we have shown that with determination and the creativity that lies within Caribbean peoples, we can overcome the challenges that confront us. It is the youth who will bear the responsibility of carrying the integration movement beyond the next fifty years, as there is still much to be done to consolidate and advance the process as we build on our achievements over the past five decades. Every incremental gain, no matter how small, is a step on the road to achieving our goal of a resilient, sustainable, safe and viable Community for all. CARLA N. BARNETT, Ph.D SECRETARY-GENERAL

SECTION I

ECONOMIC INTEGRATION Building Economic & Technological Resilience

As the CARICOM Secretariat continues to evolve to effectively meet the needs of the Community, the Directorate of Trade and Economic Integration was renamed the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development (EIID) in the year under review. The Directorate now incorporates Climate Change, Climate Finance, and Sustainable Development which facilitates close collaboration with economic sector programmes including economic policy, sectoral development and private sector development, as well as Energy, ICT4D and the Blue Economy. A new Directorate – Directorate of Single Market and Trade - was also created. It is based in Barbados and brings together intra-regional and external trade, incorporating the former Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN). The Directorate will be responsible for the operations of the Single Market including customs and trade policy and free movement of skilled labour. AGRICULTURAL AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT Agriculture and food and nutrition security continued to be prioritised in 2022 as efforts to achieve Vision 25 by 2025 accelerated. This strategy aims to reduce the Region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. The CARICOM Ministerial Task Force on Agriculture (MTF), under the chairmanship of Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, drove initiatives to improve food and nutrition security that included identification of priority programmes: a.

increasing intra-regional trade through the reduction of trade barriers,

de-risking the agricultural sector to provide for alternate financing and

insurance for the sector,

improving regional air and sea transportation and logistics to bolster

intra-regional trade of agri food products and regional food security,

d. e.

increasing primary production of crops of economic importance such as vegetables, corn, soya and poultry, securing greater public/private sector investment in production, and research and development support,

diversifying the agro food system by supporting the growth of agro-industries and food processing MSMEs,

g. h.

increasing resilience and reducing risks associated with production through the introduction of climate smart agriculture, digitalisation of the Region’s agricultural sector.

Heads of Government, representatives of Heads of Government and CARICOM Secretary-General at the opening of the Agri Investment Forum in Georgetown, Guyana

Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett addresses the Opening Ceremony

As part of measures to encourage discussions on Vision 25 by 2025, increase public and private sector engagement in the Region, and showcase regional business investment opportunities, inter alia, Heads of Government conceptualised and hosted two CARICOM Agri-Investment Forums, one in Guyana in May, and the other in Trinidad and Tobago in August. The forums attracted significant participation and served to promote improved productivity and resilience of the Region’s agri-food systems and create investment profiles on priority commodities from which Member States have benefitted through investments. In addition, the Guyana forum featured a Regional Youth in Agriculture Dialogue to promote

and

articulate

better

strategies for greater involvement by youth and women in the sector.

Heads of Government and the Secretary-General witnessed the cutting of the ribbon to the Agri-Exhibition by Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, The Hon. Dr Keith Rowley

Youth Initiatives I AM AGRICULTURE: YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE Targeting young people to drive the adoption of technology, innovation, efficiency and improved production in the sector towards the achievement of Vision 25 by 2025, was a mandate of the Agri-Investment Forums. In fulfilment, the CARICOM Secretariat, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Food Programme (WFP), created a project titled ‘I am Agriculture: Youth in Agriculture’ to increase awareness and influence other young agripreneurs to invest, grow, adapt new technologies and engage in primary agricultural production or other technical trade. The project was launched in October and comprised an intense month-long social media campaign of short videos that highlighted the success stories of 19 predominantly youth-led agri-initiatives and successful farming operations in the Region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zHgq0F6T8o&list=PLn9EpcRuNvw9LPLjHSmIyfiQA6WtiI4HH

In keeping with a mandate of the Thirty-Third Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government to encourage greater youth involvement in the sector, the CARICOM Youth in Agriculture Advisory Body was established in November, to provide advice and recommendations to the Ministerial Task Force on regional youth involvement in agriculture to achieve the objectives of Vison 25 by 2025. The Body is an important forum to identify common challenges in the sector and recommend solutions. It will provide a vehicle through which young people can articulate solutions in the policy decision-making process in regional agricultural development. POLICIES AND STRATEGIES At the One Hundred and Fourth Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in July, Ministers of Agriculture approved four policies aimed at strengthening intra-regional trade in agricultural products: (i)

CARICOM Regional Agricultural Health and Food Safety (AHFS) Policy and National Framework;

(ii)

CARICOM Trade Policy for Animals and Animal Products;

(iii)

Alternate Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) Dispute Resolution Mechanism; and

(iv)

19 Special Guidelines for the Trade in Animal and Plant Commodities Food and nutrition security policy and action plan monitoring assessment

In November, the CARICOM Action Committee on Food and Nutrition was established. The Committee is responsible for overseeing annually the Food and Nutrition Monitoring Tool for CARICOM Member States, which was developed in keeping with the CARICOM Food and Nutrition Policy. The web-based tool tracks the food and nutrition status of the Region and will also guide policymaking and support interventions by government and international development partners aimed at meeting the essential needs of the most vulnerbale.

TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING In keeping with Article 57 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, during the reporting period, the Secretariat launched and executed training courses aimed at developing human resources and the design of various systems that are responsive to the needs of the Region.

The courses

were delivered in collaboration with partner stakeholders and directly benefitted 103 frontline agri-personnel/experts.

Under this initiative: (i)

Three CARICOM officials participated in a UPOV Train-the-Trainers Program inGeneva, Switzerland.

(ii)

Forty CARICOM officials participated in a training on Extension Methodology funded by IICA.

(iii)

Sixty CARICOM officials participated in a CARICOM/Israel-Regional Training Webinar on Protected Vegetable Cultivation in Changing Climate Conditions from 1 March to 12 April 2022. COMMUNICATION AND SENSITISATION

The Secretariat continued to promote, sensitise, and publicise its work in this area through various webinars, speaking engagements, workshops, advertisements, informational videos, and social media outlets. Work is ongoing to upgrade the information website https://agricarib.org.

Information and Communication Technology for Development In Febuary a Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) approved the CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership Action Plan, the CARICOM Digital Skills Work Plan, the Action Plan for fast-tracking Digital Transformation, and priority actions for the 2022-2023 period.

Participants at the COTED-ICT meeting in February

With guidance and technical input provided by the ICT4D Programme, the COTED also approved a Ministerial Oversight Committee to provide support to Grenada - which holds portfolio responsibility for ICT in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet - to promote and coordinate activities on the Single ICT Space and to advance the digital transformation of CARICOM. The ministerial meeting also granted approval for the negotiating position on the elimination of roaming rates, following which the Prime Ministers of Grenada and Barbados, and representatives of Cable and Wireless and Digicel, in February, signed the Declaration of St. George’s – Towards the Reduction of Intra CARICOM Roaming Charges. At the Thirty-Third Intersessional meeting in March, Heads of Government welcomed the signing of the Declaration and acknowledged that it was an interim but significant milestone with respect to the Single ICT Space Roadmap. In the year under review, key elements of the workplan of the Digital Skills Task Force were successfully implemented. In July and August, regional consultations were held with 15 sectors highlighted below: The Secretariat developed the concept note and mobilised technical resources and other support for the delivery of a training programme in Guyana that targetted public sector

officials. The training was conducted in March with support from UNCTAD, UNDESA, CARICAD and the Ministry of Public Service of Guyana, and focused on ‘Changing Mindsets, Transforming Government’. The exercise followed a regional course that the CARICOM Secretariat, UNDESA/ SIDS and UNCTAD delivered in October 2021. The Secretariat mobilised resources for other activities including:

ICDL: Digital skills – Free delivery of a region-wide perception survey

ILO- Research Assistant Grant for ICT4D

UNESCO: Teacher empowerment, Girls in ICT

Amazon- cloud: Disaster Management activities co-delivered with CDEMA

Microsoft- Cloud: Free online training

Google agreement to work with the Region on public sector digital transformation. Secured free spots for four CARICOM representatives to attend Google Summit in Washington USA; and

USAID- Agreement to support the development of a Cyber-resilience Strategy for CARICOM.

The plaque that was unveiled at the CARICOM Secretariat at the handing over ceremony of the photovoltaic power plant

Launch of the Regional Energy Information System for CARICOM (CARICOMsie)

ENERGY The year began with the official handing over ceremony of the photovoltaic power generating system at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana. The Solar PV System consists of a 400 Kilowatt (400 kW) Solar Photovoltaic power generator to provide electricity to the Secretariat building; energy storage and a Building Energy Management System for energy efficiency. This installation offsets the Secretariat building’s demand for electricity from the grid and supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The project was developed, financed, and implemented through a partnership among the Government of Guyana, the Government of Japan and the CARICOM Secretariat. It was completed last December and handed over in January. His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, delivered the keynote address which recognised the value of partnerships and the Region’s commitment to addressing climate change.

Launch of the Regional Energy Information System for CARICOM (CARICOMsie) In March, the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH) and the Regional Energy Information

System

for

CARICOM

(CARICOMsie)

were

launched

through

collaboration from the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), and development partners, which created a programme of work to enhance energy data, statistics and information within the Region. Also in March, the Caribbean Energy Statistics and Information Conference was hosted under the theme ‘Energy Statistics and the Regional Energy Transition; Connecting the dots - The value of energy statistics and information to the Region’. The Conference enhanced the capacity of National Focal Points in Energy Data Collection, Energy Statistics and Energy Information Systems. It provided a forum for knowledge-sharing and highlighted best practices, lessons learned and application of various knowledge products and tools. Conclusion of the Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean The 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean (TAPSEC) concluded in June. During the period 2017 – 2022, the CARICOM Secretariat served as the political counterpart and implementing partner for TAPSEC, together with the CCREEE. TAPSEC

supported

Caribbean

the

Sustainable

implementation

Energy

and

Roadmap

the

CARICOM

Energy

Policy

and

the

Strategy (C-SERMS), as well as the various national

policies

and

strategies

energy

the CARIFORUM Member States, including the National Energy Policy and the Sustainable Energy Strategy in the Dominican Republic.

i n

The partnership delivered tangible results in the component areas of policy, information and capacity-building, and finance, aligning the Region on a pathway for low-carbon and climateresilient development. Additional voluntary elements include: 1)

Policy

•

The establishment of the CARICOM Policy & Regulations Help Desk. Support has been provided to Member States to develop a conducive legislative renewable energy and energy efficiency environment;

•

Preparation of the Regional Electric Vehicle Strategy (REVS)

•

Support for the implementation of Energy Efficient Quality Infrastructure framework.

Information and Capacity-Building

•

Establishment of the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH)

•

Implementation of a Regional Energy Information System for CARICOM (CARICOMsie)

•

Support for CARICOM Energy Month (CEM)

•

Webinars and technical training

•

Business to Business exchanges

•

CARICOM Regional Energy Apprenticeship Programme (REAP)

Finance

•

Supported CDF in the establishment of a Credit Risk Abatement Facility (CRAF) and implementation of CRAF Pilot Project

•

Supported CCREEE in establishing their Project Preparation Facility (PPF) (together with GET.invest and PFAN)

•

Implemented the IUS Model in Barbados, Belize, Guyana. The TAPSEC programme was funded under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and included a financial allocation from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for the project “Climate Resilient and Sustainable Energy Supply in the Caribbean (Cli-RES)”.

CARICOM ENERGY MONTH The CARICOM Secretariat, with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and other regional partners and sponsors, executed CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) 2022 under

the theme ‘Our Future is Electric!’ CEM is observed across the Caribbean Community in November each year in fulfilment of a mandate by CARICOM Energy Ministers to address the need for increased awareness of energy matters, given the critical importance of energy to the sustainable development of the Region. The objectives of the CARICOM Energy Month are to: i.

engage regional stakeholders on cross-cutting issues and multi-sectoral actions than

can build economic, social, environmental, and climate resilience within CARICOM. ii.

share information and knowledge on strategies and actions being taken to transform

the Region’s energy systems to become low-carbon, resilient and sustainable. iii.

highlight regional and international lessons learned and success stories in public and

private sectors of the sustainable energy transition relevant to the CARICOM context. Activities to mark the month included a 5K Walk in Georgetown, Guyana which attracted participation from about 300 persons including the President and Prime Minister of Guyana, the CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General and other staff members of the CARICOM Secretariat, members of the diplomatic corps, the private sector and NGOs; a short film competition targeting the youth in particular, to tell the story of sustainable energy transition; a photography competition, which was intended to engage CARICOM citizens in telling the story of the role of energy in their daily lives, as a consumer, or professionals; and the presentation of CARICOM

Women in Sustainable Energy (W.I.S.E.) Awards. The Secretariat also partnered with the Energy Authority of Suriname (EAS) to host the Regional & Suriname Renewable Energy Forum 2022. The forum was held from 29 November to 1 December in a hybrid format and featured the launch of the 2022 CARICOM Energy Report Cards as well as panel discussions related to the CEM theme. A quiz competition for CARICOM Secretariat members of staff was also held. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Technical Advisory Group of Regional Institutions on Ocean Matters (TAGCOM) In keeping with Articles 58 and 60 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework, the CARICOM Secretariat established the Technical Advisory Group of CARICOM Institutions on Ocean Matters (TAGCOM) to: •

provide support to Member

States and targeted advice to the Secretariat, and •

support

Member

States

matters pertaining to sustainable use of the Region’s ocean resources. The TAGCOM was convened under the chairmanship of the Assistant Secretary-General for EIID

with support from the Sustainable Development Team of the EIID Directorate. The Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) serves as the Deputy Chair, and membership includes 10 CARICOM Institutions, with regional fisherfolk and civil society organisations participating as observers. The first output of the TAGCOM was its contribution to a briefing document to support Member States’ participation at the United Nations Ocean Conference for the Implementation of SDG Goal 14. An update on the formation of the TAGCOM was presented to the 103rd Special Meeting of the COTED on the Environment and Sustainable Development, held in June. The Special COTED also approved a Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework that it had mandated in 2008, to create: (i)

an enabling framework for environmental management and natural resources management in CARICOM;

(ii)

a legal basis for effective environmental governance in support of the CSME; and

(iii)

a framework for building/facilitating regional consensus in CARICOM on environmental governance.

The CARICOM Water Framework and the Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy will serve as companions to the overarching Common Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework. MANAGEMENT OF OCEAN RESOURCES In the year under review, particularly between July and December, the Secretariat provided support to enable a more effective and coordinated high level engagement of the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) to complete negotiations for an international legally binding agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity. The Secretariat completed a project titled Capacity-Building and the Transfer of Marine Technology in the Caribbean for the sustainable use of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). This supported CARICOM negotiators and regional experts for effective Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) negotiations and the publication of an Op-Ed by Minister of Environment of Saint Lucia representing the Lead Head in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet for Sustainable Development and Environment.

During the fifth Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC5) which was held in August, CARICOM negotiators met in small teams as well as in plenary for the duration of the negotiations to clarify regional positions. Two de-briefing sessions were also convened for all CARICOM focal points to be updated on progress that was being made. Bilateral meetings between CARICOM lead negotiators with the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), African Group, Core Latin America Group (CLAM), the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), and other members of the Like-Minded Group were convened to clarify CARICOM’s priorities and to identify opportunities for cross-regional, textual proposals and consensus. SERVICES In March 2022, at the Ninety-Eighth Special Meeting of the COTED that deliberated on matters related to the Services sector, Ministers approved the Regional Services SWOT analyses for nine sub-sectors: 

Professional Services



Information and Communication Technology Services



Postal and Courier Services



Cultural and Entertainment Services



Health and Wellness Services



Trade in Education Services



Tourism Services



Energy Services



Transportation Services (Air and Maritime)

Country Night - Trinidad and Tobago - CARIFESTA XIV

The analyses are to be used as the official regional SWOTs by Member States, Organs of the Community, Regional Institutions and agencies, and donor agencies, and will be updated periodically to maintain relevance and robustness. The Special Meeting of COTED also approved Regional Strategies and Implementation Plans for four sub-sectors: 

Professional Services



Single Registration of Professionals



Postal and Courier Services



Tourism Services

The Ninety-Eighth Special COTED also began consideration of the Draft Regional Strategies for: 

Cultural and Entertainment Services



Health and Wellness Services



Trade in Education Services

The Ministers also initiated discussions on the Universal Service Obligations (USO) of the Government of Haiti with respect to Postal Services; and a roadmap to develop Tourism Satellite Accounts in all Member States. TRANSPORTATION Air Transport During the year, the Community prioritised a project entitled ‘Strengthening of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCA). The project addressed the results of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programmes and sought to raise safety standards and advance the development of conditions for a single security check for direct transit passengers on multi-stop intra-Community fights. Consultations also recommenced with the CARICOM Technical Negotiation Team on Air Services to complete the built-in agenda of the Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA). By December 2022, the MASA was in force among 11 CARICOM Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and Jamaica. The MASA seeks to establish a single market for air transport services within the Community which requires compliance.

Other significant developments for the transportation sector during the period include: 1.

Functional cooperation agreements undertaken with international organisations to

advance the transportation sector: (i)

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) embarked on programmes to assist

those Member States and regulators with unacceptable records of compliance and international best standards to improve their standards of compliance. (ii)

Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) - During the period June - August 2022, CARICOM

Member States benefitted from technical support. Fourteen (14) personnel from civil aviation authorities and a representative of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), participated virtually in a certificate training programme on Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)) in Environmental Sustainability for Civil Aviation Authorities. This training was conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – University of Gallen, Switzerland. Further, an additional five (5) persons from various Member States, benefitted from this particular programme, when it was extended to countries of LACAC, in late early September 2022. This demonstrated the work and commitment of Qatar in promoting sustainable aviation in the Caribbean Community. A highlight of the aforementioned programme (Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)) in Environmental Sustainability for Civil Aviation Authorities) was its focus on female professionals in middle management positions within civil aviation regulatory authorities and which had as its objective, the importance of career advancement of women to leadership and technical roles in aviation. Maritime Transport Work advanced to implement the Norwegian-funded Carib-SMART Preparatory Phase Project of the CARIB Smart Programme of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for CARICOM Member States. The project was launched in April and aims to develop and implement a regional project on legal, policy and institutional reform, undertaking national gap analyses on existing legislation to address significant and common challenges that may hinder the successful implementation of IMO Instruments in the Community.

SECTION 11

SINGLE MARKET AND TRADE The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) remains the main vehicle for the Community to build economic resilience and provide a platform to further integrate into the global economy.

Twelve CARICOM countries participate in the CARICOM Single Market (CSM)

arrangements: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Haiti has partially implemented the trade regime and efforts continue to integrate that Member State more fully into the CSME arrangements. Montserrat participates in some areas of the CSM, including the trade regime and elements of the movement of skills regime. PROTOCOL TO AMEND REVISED TREATY At their Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting in Belize in March, Heads of Government adopted and opened for signature the Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of

Chaguaramas

Establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to Allow Enhanced Cooperation among Member States and to Address Related Issues.

Heads and delegates at the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting in Belize

The Amendment provides for groups of at least three Member States to seek to establish Enhanced Cooperation among themselves in areas where they feel the targeted objectives cannot be attained within a reasonable period by the Community as a whole. Approval to pursue the Enhanced Cooperation will require the support of two-thirds of the membership of the Community. Four Member States - Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Grenada – signed the Protocol at the Belize Inter-Sessional Meeting. CUSTOMS AND TRADE POLICY During the year in review, the Community made significant progress with updating the two key instruments for production and trade within the CSME, namely, the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin. The progress included defining the parameters where revisions would take place; streamlining the exceptions in the CET; adding modern concepts to the General Rules Regarding Origin; and proposing alterations for certain product specific rules. Work was done through national and regional consultations, engagement with key stakeholders and negotiations with Member States, and was aimed at ensuring the CET and Rules of Origin are in keeping with current trade and market trends so as to keep the Region competitive.

In April, Member States committed to the CARICOM Common External Tariff based on HS2022 and to its full implementation by the 1 June deadline agreed by COTED. As of 31 December, only one Member State, Jamaica, had notified the Secretary-General of its implementation of the measure. HS, the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System, is a multipurpose commodity classification system used

as a basis for customs tariffs, international trade

statistics, freight rates and production statistics. CIMSuPro Progress was recorded during the year in the implementation of the CARICOM Marketplace and Suspension Procedure, dubbed CIMSuPro, an online portal to promote direct interaction between buyers and suppliers of CARICOM originating goods. By December, seventy-five producers had posted their information on the portal. This followed a Call to Action issued in September by the Chairman, H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname. Stakeholders, especially suppliers of regionally produced goods, can access the portal and register at https://www.cimsupro.com/user/register Free Movement of Workers There were some advances in the movement of CARICOM Skilled Nationals including an agreement by Heads of Government, at their Forty-Third Regular Meeting in Suriname in July, to replace the use of the terms ‘household domestic’ and ‘security guards’ with the terms ‘domestic workers’ and ‘security officers’ respectively.

New definitions and qualification

requirements for domestic workers, security officers as well as agricultural workers were also approved. These are among the agreed categories for free movement under the Single Market.

Heads and delegates at the Forty-Third Regular Meeting in Suriname

With regard to the definitions, it was agreed that; 

a Domestic Worker is a person engaged in domestic work within an employment

relationship 

a Private Security Officer provides services for the protection of persons or property

or to prevent the theft and /or destruction or the unlawful taking of property 

an Agricultural Worker is engaged in agricultural work in crop farm production, livestock

farm production or related areas. With regard to qualifications, it was agreed that: 

a Domestic Worker requires CARICOM Vocational Qualification (CVQ), National Vocational

Qualification (NVQ) or practical experience evidenced by letters from two past employers. 

a Security Officer requires a letter or declaration from a previous employer or from

a relevant body responsible for maintaining a national register/roster of security officers or district constables, or relevant qualification in the field such as a Caribbean Vocational Qualification or a professional licence. 

an Agricultural Worker requires relevant qualification in the field such as a Caribbean

Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or its equivalent, or a letter from a national agricultural body. SUSPENSIONS AND SAFEGUARDS The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) continued to urge Member States to increase production of goods in areas of insufficient regional supplies, as the number of Suspensions and Safeguards certificates granted during the year reflected an increase. The 307 certificates issued were up from the 260, 267 and 288 recorded for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. The certificates are granted when insufficient regional supplies of required goods cause Member states to seek suppliers from third countries. Efforts to engage the regional media on the CSME continued with a sensitisation session for 70 media workers in April via Zoom. This was done in collaboration with the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) and focused on the Free Movement of CARICOM Nationals within the CSME.

An online training session was held in February for Immigration Officials in Antigua and Barbuda. This covered the CSME and the state of play in Antigua and Barbuda, Facilitation of Travel and the Right of Establishment. TRADE Bilateral Trade Work continued during the year to advance trade relations between CARICOM and Third States, with priority attention on updating and consolidating the bilateral trade agreements with hemispheric partners. After a hiatus of twenty years of no formal engagement, in February, Member States and Colombia convened the Seventh Meeting of their Joint Council under the Agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Co-operation, at which they: • asserted their commitment to deepen trade and economic cooperation and boosting investment and tourism flows between them,

• emphasized the importance of strengthening the Trade Agreement as a mechanism to support trade in high value-goods and the development of value chains, • underscored their readiness to commence negotiations to expand preferential access under the Agreement. Against the backdrop of the renewed engagement with Colombia, and its expressed interest in updating and consolidating the Agreement, the Secretariat convened a series of regional consultations, and coordinated and provided technical inputs to prepare an initial CARICOM request for additional preferential market access into Colombia. An exchange of the respective lists of products for preferential access into the Colombian and CARICOM markets took place in April and the first round of negotiations was held in May and June. The second round, scheduled for later in the year, had to be postponed, but the Secretariat continued to work with Member States to further develop the technical proposals for the negotiations. The Secretariat also continued to monitor, co-ordinate and support the implementation of the Community’s Bilateral Trade Agreements with other hemispheric partners, in particular Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. In this role, the Secretariat received and investigated complaints under the Agreements. THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM •

Technical support was provided to Member States for their preparations for and participation in relevant issues arising in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Notably,this included support that finalized the Community’s positions on substantive issues addressed at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference through coordination of the CARICOM Ministerial Caucus during the Conference and on behalf of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group in the final stage negotiations of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.

•

The Secretariat continues to support regional co-ordination and implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation by CARICOM WTO Members, and has successfully mobilized technical assistance and capacity building support from international development partners for priority regional trade facilitation initiatives.

•

The Secretariat also continues to provide technical support for the Community’s engagement in the dedicated discussion of the reinvigorated WTO Work Programme on Electronic Commerce.

SERVICES TRADE The Secretariat continues to support the Region’s initiative to develop an inventory of Member States’ non-conforming measures affecting trade in services and investment, with a view to building their capacity to determine their desired level of liberalisation. In this context teams of national officials in 13 of the 14 participating Member States have been sensitized on the techniques and procedures to accurately identify these measures.

REGIONAL TRADE Efforts continued to facilitate increased Community production and a larger share of the Regional market for CARICOM products. The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), in partnership with Community Institutions; the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), and the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) shaped regional trade policies during the year to ensure that Condensed Milk and Chlorine Gas received the appropriate tariff support in keeping with their investments in expanded productive capacity.

SECTION 111

HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Building Social Resilience

31 31

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (HRD) The Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of COHSOD-Education held in Guyana in October was the first for Education Ministers since the COVID-19 pandemic and addressed urgent matters affecting the progress of implementing the CARICOM Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy in the Region under the theme “Education as and for Resilience.” The Meeting resulted in an historic Statement of Commitment in which Ministers re-examined the role of Ministries of Education in creating and sustaining the conditions needed for schools, principals, and teachers to serve as the essential service actors in a system where every child should realise their full potential. The Meeting also articulated the practical means through which regional, systemic, and local actions will be refocused to ensure that gaps in the learning trajectory created by school closures will be addressed and, in the process, mitigate against reductions in national productivity and individual earning power over the next three to five years. Implementing the CARICOM Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy The Secretariat, with the support of the Regional Network of Planning Officers (RNPO), collected data on the progress against targets in the Regional Action Plan for the Strategy, which were approved by the Thirty-Eighth Meeting of the COHSOD in 2019, for the academic years 2018/2019; 2019/2020; 2020/2021. With funding support from the Caribbean Development Bank, a consultant was contracted to develop the regional report on progress against the targets for the first phase, and coordinate the development of the indicators and benchmarks for the second and third phases of the Regional Action Plan. The Progress Report for Phase I was submitted to the Forty-Fourth Meeting of COHSOD Education in October. The COHSOD

applauded Member States for their progress against indicators where targets had been met and surpassed.

Ministers and delegates in session

CARICOM Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Curriculum

Ministers and delegates at the COHSOD-Education Meeting at the CARICOM Headquarters in Guyana

With the support of the RNPO, the Secretariat also completed and submitted C-HRD 2030 Strategy Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment and Learning (MEAL) Plan. The plan supported the comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the C-HRD Strategy. The MEAL plan was presented at the Forty-Fourth Meeting of COHSOD-Education in October. Resource mobilisation efforts are to be undertaken to commence implementation of the Meal plan in 2022.

CARICOM Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Curriculum In collaboration with The UWI’s Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CIHR), and The UWI, the Secretariat developed educational resources to enhance the teaching, learning and assessment of Health and Family Life Education (HFLE), and Learning outcomes in the CARICOM Region. Funding for this project was provided through the UWI Food And Nutrition (FAN) Project. The edutainment products were ‘open source’ and available for all teachers and schools throughout the Region. The scripts will also be provided to Member States, and permission will be given for them to re-record to reflect the accents of the jurisdiction as needed. The resources can be accessed on the CARICOM website or on the FAN project website. CARIBBEAN NEW SCHOOL MODEL (CNSM) The Forty-Fourth Meeting of COHSOD, held in October, adopted regional guidelines for the Caribbean New School Model (CNSM) which is being implemented as a mechanism for education system agility and the delivery of equitable and improved learning performance among students. During the year, the Secretariat convened meetings with stakeholders and the CNSM Taskforce to ensure the design features of the CNSM were aligned with the needs of the Region ahead of their submission to the COHSOD. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) provided funding for technical support to advance the work of the Task Force. Two consultants were contracted by the CDB to develop the Conceptual Framework for the CNSM and to develop architectural design guidelines for the CNSM. CARICOM TEACHING STANDARDS Work continued on developing the CARICOM Standards for the Teaching Profession, which when fully implemented, will help rationalise and harmonise practices in teaching and teacher education across Member States with the main aim of facilitating the free movement of teachers and other education personnel under the terms of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). This is being done in part through a project entitled “Fostering Educational Quality in CARICOM: Establishing Regional Standards for Educational Practices”, funded in the amount of US$50,000 by the Government of Japan, through the Japan-CARICOM Friendship and Cooperation Fund. The project’s overall objective is to improve the quality of education delivery across the Basic

Education Sector in CARICOM Member States by advancing the implementation of National Standards for the Teaching Profession. The project supported the alignment of National Standards for the Teaching Profession to the Regional Standards for Teaching Profession, contributing to the transformation of the quality of educational delivery across the Basic Education Sector. A status report on the project was presented at the Forty-Fourth Meeting of the COHSOD in October, and Ministries of Education were urged to nominate national Focal Points and mandate their participation in Regional Cluster Meetings to support the accelerated implementation of standards for the teaching profession at the national level and for enhanced student learning outcomes. The COHSOD also strongly recommended that Teacher Education Institutions in Member States revise and align, as appropriate, their initial teacher preparation and ongoing teacher professional development curricula with the CARICOM Standards for the Teaching Profession. A Technical Working Group was established to revise the Draft Guidelines for the establishment of National Teaching Councils. LET’S REAP The

Secretariat

partnered

with

the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission to prepare a Regional Model

Learning

Enhancement

Recovery

Programme

and (Let’s

REAP) for Caribbean Schools. The programme was developed to provide school leaders and teachers across the Region with a roadmap to bridge both the learning gaps that have emerged or worsened due to COVID-19 and, more generally, to improve inclusion and accelerate learning outcomes for all students. To support implementation across the Region 15,000 educators (teachers, principals, and Ministry of Education officials) began receiving certificate training from August from the Joint Boards of Education at the UWI Schools of Education, Mona, and Cave Hill Campuses, in three (3) core areas of Let’s REAP: Building Communities of Practice focused on Student Learning,

Assessment and Differentiated Instruction, and Leadership for Learning. The training will end in March 2024. CARICOM 10K ROAD RACE The 2022 CARICOM 10K Road Race was successfully staged in Paramaribo, Suriname, as part of activities around the Forty-Third Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government. Guyanese athlete, Marlon Nicholson won the men’s category in 33:25:17 while Jozeanne Harris of Jamaica won the women’s category in 44:49.56.

Top three male and female winners receive trophies and prizes from CARICOM Chairman, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname and Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett

Athletes at the start of the 10-K Road Race in Paramaribo

Approximately 100 athletes participated with competitors from six Member States. The event was witnessed by His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname and Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General. HEALTH SECTOR DEVELOPMENT During the period under review, the COVID-19 pandemic remained at the forefront with the Omicron variant accounting for most new COVID-19 cases in the Region. The Secretariat continued to make advances in core health programmes such as the Public Health Law Forum, the Caribbean Cooperation in Health IV (CCH IV) initiative; the Port-of-Spain Declaration; the Inter-Governmental Working Groups to address obesogenic and unhealthy food environments and the harmful use of alcohol. Actions to address shortages in human resource for health and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were also advanced. In addition, the Programme continued to provide technical input to, and updates on, regional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic through participation in several technical regional and international meetings, including the bi-weekly meetings of the Core Coordinating Group on COVID-19 convened by CDEMA. COVID-19 PANDEMIC The Secretariat continued to work in close collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organisation and the Core Cordination Group in the regional health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance and support to Member States. This partnership led to the development of several Regional Public Goods. CARPHA continued to issue guidelines and travel advisories to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, whilst Member States took steps to promote economic recovery, ensuring that safety guidelines were complied much as possible . The Effects of COVID-19 on Childhood Immunization Programmes across the Region Following the tabling of a Report at the Forty-First Meeting of COHSOD-Health in 2021 on the decline in immunization coverage in the Region, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, in June, the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Caribbean Immunization Technical Advisory Group (CITAG), alerted Ministers of Health and Chief Medical Officers that in some countries, as many as three out of 10 infants were not fully vaccinated thereby putting them at risk of measles, polio and other diseases eliminated in the Americas but which continue to circulate in other areas of the world. Member States were encouraged to conduct routine vaccination campaigns targeted at children under five years old to ensure that they are fully vaccinated. Countries were urged to involve their paediatricians and private doctors in the campaign to

ensure that they are fully vaccinated. Countries were urged to involve their paediatricians and private doctors in the campaign and, where necessary, employ retired nurses and other health providers to support the health team. Member States were urged to maintain vaccine-preventable disease vigilance, given the increased risk of visitors to the Caribbean re-introducing polio, measles, rubella, or other communicable childhood diseases to our countries. Improved surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis and rash and fever were identified as critical. PÉTION-VILLE DECLARATION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and highlighted the urgent need for their economic security, financial independence, and social inclusion.

Dr Floyd Morris

Noting this challenge, Dr. Floyd Morris, CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disabilities, with the support of the University of the West Indies, hosted a side event from the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCOSP), to address the theme “Maximizing the Potential of Persons with Disabilities through Technology and Employment Confirmation”. This virtual space was accessed by persons in the Caribbean Region who are living with disabilities.

GENDER DEVELOPMENT In partnership with other regional institutions, the Secretariat took the lead on the Regional Spotlight Initiative Caribbean Programme, which is a multi-year global initiative to eradicate various forms of violence against women and girls across the world. The 500-million European Union fund was designed to eliminate violence against women and girls in the context of family violence in the Caribbean. The Secretariat was co-chair of the Regional Steering Committee the Technical Advisory Group. Spotlight Caribbean, through the various Recipient United Nations Organisations (RUNOs), collaborated with the Secretariat to implement several activities aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls in the context of family violence: •

A first-of-its-kind compendium of Regional evidence-informed Model Knowledge,

Attitude and Practice Tools (KAP) around social gender norms of violence against women and girls. A Regional Training of Trainer’s Workshop on the use of the tool was held for heads of Gender Directorates and civil society actors in June at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown.. •

National consultations on the draft CARICOM Regional Gender Equality Strategy (CRGES)

were held from July to September in all but two Member States, namely, Haiti and Montserrat. Ten virtual consultations were held, and eight in-person meetings. The consultations involved participation from government officials, civil society, women’s organisations, the business sector, academia, and youth. These consultations are to inform the revision and completion of the first-of-its-kind Strategy for the Region by October 2023. The Strategy’s goal is to “accelerate the effective implementation of key priority actions through a regional coordinated approach to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. It provides a roadmap for Member States to mainstream gender and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Member States were encouraged to align their policies and action plans with the CRGES. These consultations fall under the violence-prevention pillar of the Strategy, which is being funded both by UN Women and UNDP under the Regional Spotlight Initiative Caribbean Programme.

•

The Essential Services Package/Community of Practice (ESP C0P) in the area of GBV,

a first for the Caribbean Region, was launched in May at a high-level regional meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. The ESPO/CoP is a space for key regional institutions and National Gender Machinery to establish standards and priorities to ensure services for survivors of genderbased violence are of the highest quality that a Member State can afford. The ESP CoP is being developed with key regional ministries, namely police and justice, health, education and gender. Currently, both UNFPA and the CARICOM Secretariat, are co-chairing the ESP/CoP. •

In February, the Secretariat, in partnership with UN Women, successfully convened

regional Ministers with responsibility for Gender Affairs for the annual two-day meeting preparatory to the Sixty-Sixth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women(CSW) held at the United Nations in New York. The CARICOM Statement which emanated from the meeting, provided the basis for a shared CARICOM position on the priority theme: “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes”. The Statement informed the widely circulated evidence-informed CSW 66 Outcome Document.

CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Leadership, Participation and Governance - Inaugural CARICOM Youth Forum An Online Youth Forum was facilitated in June at the request of His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname, Chair of CARICOM and Lead Head in the Quasi Cabinet for Community Development and Culture (Gender and Youth Development). The Forum provided a platform for youth, youth groups, youth leaders, youth workers and other key stakeholders to examine youth development matters that yielded salient recommendations for updating the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan (CYDAP). The Dean, CYA, presented the recommendations at the Forty-Third Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Suriname in July. Recommendations addressed priority areas: Education and Culture, Identity and Citizenship, Environment and Climate Change, Economic Empowerment, Protection of Human Rights and Safety, Health and Well-being, Innovation and Technology, Youth Leadership and Participation. CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP) The CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP) continued to promote regional integration and youth empowerment. Twenty-four (24) newly-nominated CYAs from ten (10) Member States and three (3) Associate Members were appointed. The Executive Team for 2021-2022 was selected, with Ms Renee Atwell of Trinidad and Tobago elected as Dean. CYAs continued to serve on various committees and

working

groups

collaboration

with

for

projects

undertaken

CARICOM

the

Secretariat. During the year they continued to partner with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to advance the Climate Change and Health agenda of the Region under the theme “Youth Empowerment and Participation: Strengthening Climate Resilient Health Systems in the Caribbean”. Three Climate Change and Health Projects were initiated:

Reduce Methane Emission through Household Waste Management

The Eco Restorers Project

The Project Green Initiative CARICOM YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN

An assessment of the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan (CYDAP) was conducted with consultations in a sample group of six Member States; Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Suriname. The activities, geared towards reconstruction of the CYDAP, led to development of a draft strategic framework, guiding principles, strategic objectives and goals and a preliminary dashboard. The strategic framework and a dashboard were piloted in three Member States - Belize, Jamaica and Suriname - between September and November. The CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan 2012, was developed as a holistic and multisectoral institutional framework for national policy, integrated planning and action. The CYDAP operationalises the Declaration of Paramaribo on the future of youth in the Caribbean Community. Its intended purpose is to support youth development across the Region.

Several project focused on youth priority areas were also advanced during the year. ASPIRING YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (AYEP) The Aspiring Youth Empowerment Programme (AYEP) which initially ran from 2020 – 2021, received support from the Commonwealth Secretariat for a second period of implementation. AYEP focuses on building the social and emotional competencies and entrepreneurial skills of youth aged 18 to 35. The programme provided the opportunity for self-reliance and economic resilience during heightened youth unemployment due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commonwealth Secretariat provided technical support in programme coordination. One hundred and one (101) youth participants successfully completed the programme. PROTECTION, SAFETY AND SECURITY The Secretariat facilitated the involvement of the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) to design strategies and presented recommendations for preventing crime and violence. Planning commenced for a roundtable talk with national security and youth ministers, and there was an initial engagement to define strategies to expand

capacity to collect crime and violence-

related data at the national level. Secretariat also participated in the Tenth Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Highlevel Dialogue in May. HEALTH AND WELL BEING A mental health survey was developed and launched in May as part of a strategy to strengthen the mental health response capacity of youth workers to assist youth with emotional challenges. The survey is the first step in developing a Mental Health First Aid Programme for Youth Workers in the Region. Results from the survey will be used to determine the training programme’s focus areas and inform

programme modules. The survey measures

general well-being, anxiety, depression and support systems available to youth in their respective countries. A project proposal was developed and submitted for funding to develop and implement the training workshop.

CAPACITY BUILDING A Peer Coaching Programme was utilised to strengthen the regional youth directors’ capacity to address youth development matters within Member States, increase camaraderie and support among the directors, and enhance competencies

implement

the

CYDAP

effectively. Directors and Youth Officers were also trained in proposal writing. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE Work continued during the year on the implementation of the project “Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of ‘Play’ for Growth and Development” which aims to foster economic, human and social development of the Region by stimulating inclusive, diversified and sustainable growth of the cultural economy. “Creative Caribbean” provides grant support to the creative sector for industry, enabling environment and training initiatives. The project is being implemented in fifteen (15) CARICOM/CARIFORUM Member States from 2021 to 2024. The official project launch and commencement of the first round of enabling environment and industry grant calls were held virtually in April. Media interviews in several countries and regional and national information sessions were held to promote the call. Two hundred and forty-nine (249) project proposals were received, which are undergoing evaluation. The CARICOM Secretariat is collaborating with UNESCO and The University of the West Indies (UWI) on this Project, which was awarded three (3) million Euros under the 11th EDF ACP-EU programme “Towards a viable cultural industry”, financed by the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat. Project implementation commenced in January 2021. REPARATIONS FOR NATIVE GENOCIDE AND SLAVERY The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) continued to implement a robust programme to advance the Community’s claim for reparatory justice from Europe. Member States participated in the World Conference on Cultural Policies entitled “Mondiacult 2022”, convened by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and hosted by the Government of Mexico in September.

There were other significant events on the reparations calendar during the year: •

A partnership developed between the CRC and the “Ateker International Development

Organisation” (AIDO) Network to galvanise popular support for the reparations issue in Africa. AIDO comprises African Traditional Leaders (Kings, Queens and Chiefs) and other stakeholders active in cultural and human rights issues, based in eleven (11) countries in Africa and Europe. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been drafted and is under review to formalise the relationship. •

A delegation of African royalty visited Guyana in July, and a representative of AIDO

visited Antigua and Barbuda during the same period, both related to the observance of Emancipation Day. •

The Fourth Annual AIDO Convention was held in Atlanta, Georgia in August, and

a delegation of six (6) CRC members led by the Chair attended. The Chair delivered the keynote address at the Summit, which highlighted the resistance of African traditional leaders to the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans, which the African traditional leaders commended. •

The CRC rallied in support of the global petition to President Joseph Biden in February

to posthumously clear the name of Marcus Mosiah Garvey for the crime of mail fraud, for which he was wrongly convicted in the United States. •

The CRC partnered with the Forum of Indo-West Indians in May to host a consultation

on East Indian Indentureship and the CARICOM reparations claim. •

H.E Mark Rutte, Prime Minister, Kingdom of the Netherlands, issued an apology for his

country’s involvement in slavery in the Caribbean in December. In response, the CRC hosted an international press conference and drafted an apology to support negotiations between Suriname and the Netherlands

SECURITY COOPERATION The Secretariat continued to implement the CARICOM Action Plan for Social Development and Crime Prevention. During the year, the focus was placed on preparatory work for strengthening the intersectoral partnerships critical for the alleviation of challenges and the application of the public health approach. Addressing Crime and Violence Prevention Utilizing a Public Health Approach The Secretariat, the Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Regional Security System (RSS), Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago met on the margins of the 24th CONSLE to create the application of the Public Health Approach for Security. The Meeting also received a presentation from CARPHA on the recommended specific roles for the regional Institutions that form the Security Cluster, which comprises CCS, IMPACS, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) and RSS. THE SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE The Secretariat partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support UN Women to implement the Spotlight Initiative across Member States. The Spotlight Regional Caribbean Programme seeks to develop standards for regional institutions for a comprehensive multisectoral response to detect, prevent, monitor and respond to family violence. During the year, a Situation Analytic report was completed for the Review of Existing CARICOM Regional Citizen Security from a Gender Equality Perspective and to integrate Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), including Family Violence (FV). The findings were presented to Member States. The report identified the gaps in gender mainstreaming (including VAWG/FV) in the regional citizen security frameworks and approaches, among others, and the level and extent of gender mainstreaming in crime and security institutions.

A Revision of Common Standards for Police and Justice Regional Institutions to Integrate Gender and VAWG and FV was completed. Confirmation of findings and recommendations was held for participating Member States in June. The focus of these Common Standards is on improving the quality and consistency of police and justice services across the Caribbean Region for victims and survivors and to standardise the response to VAWG. Additionally, the Standards are designed to provide regional police and justice organisations with guidelines that will inform their own handling of cases where applicable and, more importantly, enhance the capacity of these regional organisations to offer critical guidance to policing and justice services at the national level across Member States. PAN-CARIBBEAN PARTNERSHIP AGAINST HIV AND AIDS (PANCAP)

PANCAP, the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is a Caribbean-wide regional partnership comprising governments, civil society organisations (CSOs), regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and contributing donor partners. The PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU) is located within the CARICOM Secretariat and provides human resource management, administrative, legal, and procurement services. The Partnership’s efforts in the review period have resulted in, among other things, significantly reduced costs of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, leading to an increased availability of medicines. In addition, increased clinical care capacity has improved diagnostic investigations in all Member States through training and sensitisation of health care workers and strengthened laboratories. The COVID-19 pandemic represented a significant threat to People Living with HIV and had the potential to threaten the gains made in the Region over the past years. An assessment by PANCAP found that COVID-19 impacts prevention, care and treatment services, both at the national and regional levels.

The multi-sectoral response to the epidemic has been enhanced through the establishment of a Pan-Caribbean Business Coalition against HIV and AIDS, with national coalitions in five member countries, namely Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname. Guyana has expanded its business coalition on HIV and AIDS to general health awareness. In addition, successful advocacy efforts have led to a widening and deepening of the Partnership through the establishment of structured and strengthened relations with other countries, including Brazil, Cuba and the British, Dutch and French Overseas territories and countries of the Caribbean. Moreover, PANCAP has formed a Private Sector Advocacy Group engage closely with the private sector in the Caribbean. PANCAP’s advocacy efforts have mobilised more than US$90 million over the past 20 years, which have facilitated implementation of a range of interventions in the Caribbean’s response to reverse the epidemic. . Specialised Certificate Training - Clinical Management of HIV course - Global Health E-Learning Program (eDGH) and COURSERA In December, eighteen (18) clinical and public health practitioners completed a three-month Clinical Management of HIV course with the Global Health E-Learning Program (eDGH), University of Washington.

Specialised Certificate Training - Clinical Management of HIV course - Global Health E-Learning Program (eDGH) and COURSERA

The PANCAP-USAID Project supported the capacity-building initiative via USAID Jamaica. The course formed part of PANCAP’s overarching strategy to protect and maintain the gains made in the HIV response as the Region continues to recover from COVID-19.

STRENGTHENING PREP SERVICES IN THE REGION Under the Multi-country Global Fund (GF) Grant Project for the Caribbean, three (3) additional Member States - Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Guyana- have advanced with the implementation of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Technical support to implement this high-impact prevention service was provided by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and PANCAP. Barbados, a recipient of the grant, has supported to the three (3) countries by transferring knowledge and experience over the years. Seven (7) countries in the Caribbean are implementing PrEP as opposed to two (Barbados and Bahamas) in 2019, all at different levels of implementation.

SECTION IV FOREIGN POLICY COORDINATION AND FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS Relations with Third States, Groups of States and Organisations

51 51

The year in review recorded notable successes in foreign policy coordination as CARICOM marshalled responses to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the existential threat of climate change, and geopolitical flux. CARICOM strengthened relations with regional partners, deepened collaboration with the international community, and reaffirmed friendships with third countries as it navigated the year. Internally, Community Relations Unit was quite active as the Community mounted three CARICOM Electoral Observation Missions (CEOM), accredited Ambassadors from Member States, and stayed engaged on the crises in Haiti. Consistent advocacy for access to concessional development financing and for international financial institutions to consider the peculiar vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDs) paid dividends in April when the International Monetary Fund launched a Resilience and Sustainability Fund. The Fund should provide long-term finance on highly concessional terms for low-income SIDS and vulnerable middle-income countries. FOREIGN POLICY COORDINATION Ministers responsible for foreign affairs met in May for the Twenty-Fifth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) to coordinate CARICOM’s foreign policy on climate change, financing for development and relations with international and third state partners. The hybrid meeting was chaired by the Hon E.P. Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who assumed the chairmanship of COFCOR from the Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Ministers hold the hybrid 25th Meeting of COFCOR in May

In the realm of multilateral relations, COFCOR tackled cross-cutting matters, engaging the United Nations, including the UN Security Council Reform, the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons held June 2022 in Vienna, Austria, and the actions for integrating gender perspectives into climate change, that emanated from the Sixty-Sixth Session of the Commission of the Status of Women.

Foreign Ministers coordinated CARICOM’s positions on issues engaging the Organisation of the American States, the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. Regarding the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), COFCOR also affirmed its support to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Presidency Pro Tempore (PPT) of CELAC for the period 2023-2024. RELATIONS WITH THIRD STATES AND GROUPS OF STATES During the reporting period, CARICOM had robust engagements with Third States in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. These engagements served to strengthen CARICOM’s global position and leverage diplomatic relations to advocate for the concerns of Member States. AFRICA The inaugural Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum acknowledged the synergies between the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the vision of the Caribbean Community toward unity, integration, and prosperity. In the Communiqué following the meeting, the two sides articulated their resolve to, inter alia, achieve goals of industrialization and sustainable economic development through cooperation to reduce their vulnerability to domestic and external shocks.

ASIA CARICOM and India reaffirmed their mutual commitment to diplomatic relations in November 2022 when Dr Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, met with H.E. Saurabh Kumar, Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs of India. They discussed the availability of a USD150M line of credit for climate-related projects in CARICOM Member States, cooperation between the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and India for capacity building, establishment of the Regional Centre for Excellence in Information Technology in Guyana, and the need for increased CARICOM-India engagement. India expressed its interest in a Ministerial Summit involving CARICOM Foreign Ministers. In November, the CARICOM Secretary-General received a visit from H.E. Saleh Alsuwaidi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Federative Republic of Brazil. They discussed ways of deepening CARICOM-UAE relations and the county’s plans to host the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change in 2023. The fruits of the CARICOM-Japan cooperation were illustrated in November 2022 with the handing over of the Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Plant constructed with the financial and technical support of the government of Japan. The 400-kilowatt solar generation project, with 1,500 solar panels, servers and batteries, was undertaken through a USD17.8M grant agreement between the Governments of Guyana and Japan, USD7M of which was earmarked for the project at the CARICOM Secretariat headquarters.

The Secretary-General meeting with Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), H.E. Saleh Alsuwaidi.

Also in November of that year, Dr. Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General , received a visit from H. E. Ambassador Moon-up Sung, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK). They discussed a CARICOM-RoK Cooperation Fund, CARICOM participation at the Twelfth High-Level Forum on Korea-Caribbean Partnership in November/December 2022 and Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. EUROPE CARICOM and the United Kingdom (UK) reaffirmed relations in February 2022 when Ambassador Donna Forde, Assistant Secretary-General received a visit from H.E. Jane Miller, United Kingdom Ambassador to CARICOM. They discussed the UK’s proposal for a formal mechanism of cooperation with CARICOM. Talks deepened in October of that year when the Secretary-General engaged in discussions with the Rt. Hon Jesse Norman, UK’s Minister for the Caribbean. They discussed plans for the next UK-Caribbean Forum in 2023. ‘ In February 2022, officials of the CARICOM Secretariat, led by Ambassador Donna Forde, Assistant Secretary-General, interacted with H.E. José Gomez, Chargé d’Affaires to the French Embassy in Suriname and Guyana. Discussions with France deepened in May 2022 when the

CARICOM Secretary-General, held discussions with H.E. Roland DuBertrand, French Republic Ambassador and Director of Cooperation for the Americas. CARICOM-France relations, associate membership of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, and Martinique in CARICOM, and the CARICOM’s participation in the next edition of the Antilles-French Guiana Regional Cooperation Conference were in focus during the discussion.

The Secretary-General meeting EU Ambassador to CARICOM, Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewshi in December.

In May, the Secretary-General met French Republic Ambassador and Director of Cooperation for the Americas Ministry, H.E. Roland DuBertrand

In March, the CARICOM Secretary-General received a visit from H.E. Jürg Sprecher, Ambassador of Switzerland to CARICOM for talks on the geopolitical situation and challenges for the Caribbean. The visit served as an inflection point in CARICOM-Switzerland relations, as the Central European country expressed interest in deepening cooperation beyond the realm of the United Nations system.

SG meeting in March with Ambassador of Switzerland to CARICOM, H.E. Jürg Sprecher

CARICOM and Italy reaffirmed diplomatic relations in June when Dr. Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary- General, received a visit from H.E. Gianni Piccato, Special Envoy of Italy for Caribbean Countries in Georgetown, Guyana. Discussions centered on a new Memorandum of Understanding under consideration by CARICOM Member States for cooperation with Italy; a 50M Euro facility available to some Member States through the Caribbean Development Bank, and Italy’s work with IMPACS to build capacity in security.

The Deputy Secretary-General hosted H.E. Gianni Piccato, Special Envoy of Italy for Caribbean countries in June

CARICOM and Finland held discussions in October 2022 when Ambassador Donna Forde, Assistant Secretary-General met with H.E. Pertti Ikonen, Roving Ambassador of Finland to CARICOM. They engaged on the need for stronger CARICOM Finland engagement, and Finland’s political support to CARICOM in multilateral fora. CARICOM officials and Ireland held discussions in October 2022 on the country’s first offer of financial support to CARICOM Member States based on its foreign policy cooperation with Small Island Developing States. In a meeting between Ambassador Donna Forde ,Assistant Secretary-General and H.E. Sean Hoy, Ambassador of Ireland to CARICOM, , Irishdiplomat noted the role the country could play as an advocate for SIDS, as the only English-speaking partner in the European Union. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN CARICOM Foreign Ministers met their counterpart from Colombia in January for the Second Colombia- CARICOM Ministerial Summit in Barranquilla, Colombia where they affirmed their commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a roadmap for a sustainable, green, and resilient economic COVID-19 recovery. They also agreed to reinvigorate economic and commercial relations between CARICOM and Colombia through the existing partial scope agreement. In March 2022, the CARICOM Secretary-General also held discussions with H.E. Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of the Republic of Costa Rica, in the margins of the CARICOM-SICA Summit in San Pedro, Belize where they discussed deepening relations. While in Belize, the SecretaryGeneral also met with Ambassador Gustavo Martinez Pandiani,Director of Central America and

Caribbean Affairs in Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discussed Argentina’s 2022 Presidency Pro Tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and priority issues for CARICOM in its Work Plan. These included post-COVID-19 inclusive recovery, food security, environmental cooperation, and digital transformation.

CARICOM pursued closer relations with Chile in March 2022 when Ambassador Donna Forde, Assistant Secretary-General, held discussions with H.E. Juan Pino, Ambassador of Chile to CARICOM. The visit was a useful first step to advance CARICOM-Chile relations, following his accreditation as Plenipotentiary Representative of Chile to the Community in September 2021. In May of that year, the CARICOM Secretary-General met virtually with Mr. Martin BorregoLlorente, Director-General for Latin -America and the Caribbean within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. They discussed Mexico’s contributions to the Community’s priorities, through a formal cooperation mechanism. The Eighth (8th) CARICOM-Cuba Summit, held in December in Barbados, marked the Fiftieth Anniversary of the establishment of CARICOM-Cuba diplomatic relations. Heads of Government acknowledged the partnership as a model of fruitful and mutually beneficial South-South cooperation in health, education, agriculture, and human resource development.

Heads of Government and other Heads of Delegation at the 8th CARICOM-Cuba Summit in Barbados in December

They agreed to collaborate on food and nutrition security, and to share best practices in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemiological conditions common to the Caribbean. CARICOM agreed to continue assessing the potential of innovative Cuban biotech medicines to treat COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. CARICOM-Cuba Heads of Governments declared 6th October, CARICOM - Cuba Day against terrorism in memory of the 73 people who died in 1976 in the bombing of the Cubana Airlines in the waters off Barbados. NORTH AMERICA The year 2022 ushered in a year of active dialogue between CARICOM and the USA starting with discussions between Ambassador Donna Forde, Assistant Secretary-General and a delegation led by H.E. Sarah Lynch, USA Ambassador to CARICOM. They discussed the Biden Administration’s intention to strengthen cooperation with the Region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), in environment, health, financial services, trade, and investment. The USA made good on that commitment in April of that year when Vice President Kamala Harris met virtually with CARICOM Heads to advance cooperation on economic recovery, the climate crisis, and security. CARICOM and the USA also engaged at the highest level again in June during the Ninth Summit of the Americas where US President Joe Biden joined Heads of State and Government of CARICOM and the Dominican Republic (DR) for talks. A readout following the meeting said it addressed the unique vulnerabilities and urgent economic challenges facing CARICOM and the DR stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of climate change, food and energy insecurity, and lack of access to financing. Another engagement with the USA took place in August when Mr. Clinton White, Regional Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Donna Forde, Assistant Secretary-General. In April, attention turned to CARICOM-Canada relations as Foreign Ministers of both sides met virtually for the 2022 Canada-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Group Meeting. Co-chaired by the Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and the Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Chairman of COFCOR. The Ministers deliberated on post-COVID rebuilding with emphasis on agriculture and food security, trade, investment, and CARICOM-Canada cooperation.

Participants at the CARICOM-Canada Foreign Ministers Group meeting held virtually in June.

The meeting laid the groundwork to establish a formal mechanism for continuous dialogue between CARICOM and Canada. A Communiqué recorded the work of CARICOM-Canada officials who met prior to the Ministerial meeting defined the parameters of a Joint Commission to serve as a permanent mechanism for collaboration and cooperation between the parties. The Communique noted the intention to launch the Joint Commission at the Canada-CARICOM Summit in Ottawa in 2022. Robust engagements with Canada continued in 2022 with another meeting in October between a CARICOM Secretariat team led by Assistant Secretary-General Donna Forde, and Global Affairs Canada.

MULTILATERAL AND HEMISPHERIC RELATIONS Summit of the Americas At the Ninth Summit of the Americas in June, in Los Angeles, Heads of State and Government of the Americas adopted several agreements including an Action Plan on Health and Resilience intended to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with solidarity and equity. Assessing and strengthening the capacity of health systems is among the goals of the Action Plan.

CARICOM Leaders participated in the 9th Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in June

The Summit also adopted a Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation to, inter alia, encourage the development of national plans and strategies on digital transformation. This agenda aims to promote the lawful use of digital technologies, accounting for equity and inclusivity of vulnerable and marginalized groups. At the Summit, Heads adopted an agreement to accelerate clean energy transition. They also rallied around a Green Agenda which committed them to actions to advance the Glasglow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use which defines goals to halt and reverse deforestation. United Nations The CARICOM Secretary-General received Mr. Roberto Valent, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Development Coordination Office (DCO) of the United Nations in July 2022.

The Secretary-General meeting with the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Development Coordination Office (DCO) of the United Nations, Mr. Roberto Valent in July.

They discussed CARICOM and the UN’s role in food security, human services, climate resilience, violence against women and girls, and the rule of law. During the meeting, the SecretaryGeneral underscored the need to maintain global warming well below 1.5⁰ C, and to enhance global advocacy for greater access to climate financing. The Secretary-General recalled the fruitful discussions CARICOM Heads had with the UN Secretary-General at the Forty-Third Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in July in Suriname. The UN representative noted the organisation’s commitment to support the work CARICOM. SICA Heads

State

Government

and

CARICOM

and the Central American Integration

System

(SICA)

met in March for the Fourth CARICOM-SICA

Summit

Belize, following the ThirtyThird Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government. The Summit adopted the Joint Declaration of San Pedro, which articulated commitments to strengthen foreign policy consultation and collaboration on tourism, trade and investment; and strengthen cooperation in climate change and public health. Heads signed a Revised CARICOM – SICA Plan of Action adopted by Foreign Ministers of the two Regions in February 2022 for joint \ dialogue. Participants at the CARICOM-SICA Summit in Belize in March

ACCREDITATIONS During the reporting period, the CARICOM Secretary-General accredited the following Ambassadors to CARICOM: H.E. Ms. Leslia Miller-Brice of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; H.E. Ms. Jennifer Marchand of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; H.E. Mr. Gerhard Doujak of Austria; H.E. Mr. Nicolas de Lacoste of the French Republic; H.E. Mr. Fabrizio Nicoletti of the Italian Republic; H.E. Mr. Yutaka Matsubara of Japan; H.E. Ms. Beate Stirø of the Kingdom of Norway; and H.E. Mr. David Francisco Málaga Ego-Aguirre of the Republic of Peru.

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Leslia Miller-Brice of The Bahamas in May 2022

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Jennifer Marchand of Trinidad and Tobago in May 2022

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Gerhard Doujak of Austria

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste of France

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Yutaka Matsubara of Japan

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Francisco Málaga Ego-Aguirre of Peru

The Secretary-General and Ambassador Beate Stirø of Norway

SECTION V

GOVERNANCE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

COMMUNITY RELATIONS During the reporting period, CARICOM Election Observation Missions (CEOM) monitored general elections in Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada.

A nine-member team

comprising a Chief of Mission, Observers, and the CARICOM Secretariat’s support personnel monitored Grenada’s elections on June 23.

Members of the CARICOM Elections Observation Mission to Grenada’s Elections in June

A four-member mission was dispatched to St. Kitts and Nevis’ elections on August 5, while a seven-member team observed Dominica’s elections on December 6. The CEOM reported that the voters cast their ballots without intimidation or fear, and that the results reflected the collective intention of the voters.

Members of the CARICOM Elections Observation Mission to Dominica’s Elections in December

Members of the CARICOM Elections Observation Mission to St Kitts and Nevis’ Elections in August

CARICOM also monitored the political and humanitarian crises in Haiti and pursued efforts to help address those issues. In May, COFCOR affirmed CARICOM’s role to facilitate dialogue among Haitian stakeholders to help the country achieve political stability with the support of the international community. In April, the Secretary-General paid an official visit to Saint Lucia and met with the Prime Minister, Hon. Philip Pierre; members of the Cabinet, Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Allen Chastanet; CARICOM Youth Ambassador; and students at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School. The visit entailed discussions on climate change, sustainable development and agriculture, trade, youth, and gender affairs.

Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett meets recently elected Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip Pierre in Castries in April

ORDER OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY In July, four CARICOM nationals were conferred with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) for their sterling contributions to regional and national development in their respective fields at the opening ceremony of the Forty-Third Regular Meeting in Suriname. These were former Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary-General; Mr. David Rudder, Calypsonian; Sir Vivian Richards, cricketer extraordinaire; and Dame Billie Miller, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Barbados.

CARICOM COMMITTEE OF AMBASSADORS During the reporting period, the CARICOM Secretary-General accredited the following Ambassadors to CARICOM: H.E. Ms. Leslia Miller-Brice of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and H.E. Ms. Jennifer Marchand of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. They joined the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors, an important element in the CARICOM governance structure, focusing on advancing the integration movement, and providing strategic advice and recommendations to the Community Council towards achieving that goal. LEGAL SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY The Secretariat, principally through the General Counsel, represented the Community at the CCAT and the CCJ, respectively, in the following cases: •

Nigel Rowe and the CARICOM Secretariat, 2022

•

Rock Hard Distribution Limited, Rock Hard Distributors Limited, Mootilal Ramhit and

Sons Contracting Limited and the State of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Community and the State of Belize and Trinidad Cement Limited A.

LEGAL INSTRUMENTS SIGNED/RATIFIED DURING THE YEAR 2022

The following instruments were signed/ratified/acceded to by member states in 2022 as follows: •

Protocol to Amend Article 32 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the

Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy o

Signed by: Belize on 2 March 2022

Signed by St Vincent and the Grenadines on 22 June 2022

Signed by Saint Lucia on 3 November 2022

•

Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean

Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to Allow for Enhanced Cooperation among Member States and to Address Related Issues

Signed by: Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Grenada on 2 March 2022

Signed by Saint Lucia on 5 July 2022

Signed by St. Kitts and Nevis on 1 December 2022

Signed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 22 June 2022

•

Agreement on the Return or Sharing of Recovered Assets

Signed by The Bahamas and Belize on 2 March 2022

•

Declaration of Intent to Provisionally Apply the Agreement on the Return or Sharing

of Recovered Assets o

Signed by The Bahamas and Belize on 2 March 2022

•

Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community

Signed by: Suriname on 5 July 2022

•

Declaration of Intent to Provisionally Apply the Protocol on Public Procurement for the

Caribbean Community o

Signed by: Suriname on 5 July 2022

•

Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine

and other Health Professions o

Signed by Haiti on 5 July 2022

•

Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas To Incorporate The Council

for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) as an Organ of The Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) as an Institution of The Community o

Signed by Haiti on 5 July 2022

•

Amendment to The Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security

Oversight System (CASSOS) o

Signed by Haiti on 28 August 2022

•

Agreement for the Establishment between the Member States of the Caribbean Community and the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK)

Signed by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname on 1 September 2022

Signed by Guyana on 25 October 2022

Signed by the Bahamas on 16 November 2022

AGREEMENTS RATIFIED

•

Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA)

Ratified by: Jamaica on 2 March 2022

•

Protocol to Amend Article 32 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy

Ratified by: Barbados on 5 July 2022

Ratified by Belize 20 July 2022

Ratified by Saint Lucia on 28 November 2022

Ratified by St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 2 September 2022

•

Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to Allow for Enhanced Cooperation among Member States and to Address Related Issues

Ratified by: Barbados on 5 July 2022

Ratified by Belize on 20 July 2022

Ratified by Dominica on 25 August 2022

Ratified by St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 2 September 2022

Ratified by Saint Lucia on 28 November 2022

•

Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas To Incorporate The Council

for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) as an Organ of The Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) as

an Institution of The Community o

Ratified by Dominica on 25 August 2022

Ratified by Saint Lucia on 28 November 2022

•

CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty

Ratified by Dominica on 25 August 2022

Ratified by Saint Lucia on 28 November 2022

•

Protocol on Contingent Rights

Ratified by Dominica on 25 August 2022

Ratified by St. Kitts and Nevis on 17 January 2022

•

Agreement on the Return or Sharing of Recovered Assets

Ratified by Saint Lucia on 28 November 2022

•

Revised Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)

Ratified by Dominica on 25 August 2022

•

Agreement Relating to the Operation of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)

Ratified by Saint Lucia 28 November 2022

•

Protocol Amending the Agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the Caribbean Community and The Government of the Republic of Colombia

Ratified by St. Vincent and the Grenadines 24 May 2022

•

Protocol to amend Article 83 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy

Ratified by St Vincent and the Grenadines on 2 September 2022

Ratified by Saint Lucia on 28 November 2022

•

Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

Ratified by Saint Lucia 28 November 2022

•

Agreement for the Establishment between the Member States of the Caribbean Community and the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK)

Ratified by Barbados on 13 December 2022

AGREEMENTS ACCEDED TO:

•

Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM)

Acceded to by Dominica on 25 August 2022

•

Agreement Establishing the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)

Acceded to by Dominica on 25 August 2022

•

Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

Acceded to by Cayman Islands on 20 April 2022

•

Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE)

Acceded to by the Turks and Caicos on 22 July 2022

AGREEMENTS/MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BY THE SECRETARY- GENERAL (2022)

•

Grant Agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) (Assessment of the Optimal Future State for the Coordination of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Statistical System – 27 May 2022

•

Grant Agreement with International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Digital Skills Task Force – 12 August 2022

•

Global Fund Agreement - Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Caribbean Community – (Sustainability of services for key populations in the Caribbean Phase 2), 30 August 2022

•

Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Caribbean Community (Strengthen Technical Cooperation) – 29 September 2022

•

Grant Agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) (Pilot for Strengthening Gender-Responsive Planning and Reporting on Gender Statistics) – 24 October 2022

•

Partner Agreement with United Nations entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), (Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse), 28 December 2022

•

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ireland and the Caribbean Community concerning the project, promotion of Agricultural crop production systems which demonstrate resilience to Climate and Weather - 6 December 2022

•

Implementation Partners Agreement with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) – (Project: Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of “Play” for Growth and Development), 20 December 2022

SECTION VI

THE CARIBBEAN FORUM OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC GROUP OF STATES (CARIFORUM)

The Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) was established in 1992. CARIFORUM comprises all independent CARICOM Members, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Relations between CARICOM and CARIFORUM and the EU are conducted mainly within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement. Cuba is not a party to the Cotonou Agreement and is not a beneficiary of Caribbean Regional Indicative Programmes (CRIPs), financed by the European Development Fund (EDF). The Secretary-General of CARICOM also serves as the Secretary-General of CARIFORUM. The CARIFORUM Directorate, headed by a Director-General, supports the Secretary-General. The Directorate is located administratively within the CARICOM Secretariat, which provides human resource management, administrative, legal, and procurement services. There is close collaboration between the CARIFORUM Directorate and other technical directorates in the Secretariat. DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION A new Caribbean Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 (CRIMP) valued at €208 million, was launched in October to cover three Caribbean – EU partnerships; I.

Green Deal partnership, which opens the possibility for cooperation between the

Caribbean and the EU to work jointly to increase the resilience of the Region to the impact of climate change and natural hazards and push forward the green transition, II.

Partnership on Economic Resilience and Trade, which facilitates the promotion

of sustainable growth of the private sector and the trade opportunities of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and, III.

Partnership on Governance, Security and Human Development, with the objective to

make Caribbean societies safer, more inclusive and resilient. In the lead up to the launch, CARIFORUM Senior Officials met in February and July to review the CRIMP, seek alignment with CARIFORUM agreed priorities, and identify and prioritise potential Caribbean Regional Projects. SUPPORTING FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY As part of its support to CARICOM’s 25% by 2025 food and nutrition security initiative, CARIFORUM secured €19 million for a Regional Programme on Food Production and Resilience of Food Systems in CARIFORUM to assist with the current food security crisis and in support

of the Region’s priority actions in this sector. Legal Drafting Capacity Building In response to the dearth of legislative and treaty drafters, a Capacity Building and Training in Legislative and Treaty drafting project valued at €.5 million, was launched during the year. This supports a Legal Drafting E-Learning Programme, preparation for a CARIFORUM Legal Drafting Manual as well as training on the EPA for sub-regional and regional Bar Association representatives. A post-graduate training programme designed through the University of Ottawais scheduled to commence in 2023. Market Analysis Support As part of efforts to provide businesses and trade advisors with market intelligence and access to timely information on market opportunities and conditions, a CARIFORUM Export Potential Map, embedded in the CARIFORUM website, was launched in August. The tool is the first one developed with a regional approach to explore trading opportunities with a dual focus; inside a Region and to the world. The tool allows users within the Region to spot and analyse market opportunities by key sectors and aggregates. Training on its effective utilisation was conducted at the regional and Member States levels andtutorial videos to support its use were provided on the CARIFORUM website. The OECS Trade and Market Access Map was launched in March and the Market Access Map for the Dominican Republic was launched in April. . Institutional Strengthening for Intellectual Property Offices During the year, CARIFORUM States received support through the digitisation of business processes and databases within Intellectual Property Offices, via the Caribbean TMclass. This is an online multi-lingual consultation tool offering free access to the list of terms accepted as suitable to identify goods and services for the purpose of registration of marks. The TMclass User Interface was developed to strengthen regional integration of CARIFORUM States. It simplifies the trademark search process, protects intellectual property, streamlines registration and offers global recognition. Eight CARIFORUM States have so far been added to the database. A supporting tool, TMView, was also developed to provide access to a database of trademark applications and registration worldwide. Support was also provided in Trademarks, Designs and Geographical Indicators to facilitate

CARIFORM States’ participation in the global protection systems in compliance with EPA provisions, and boost regional harmonisation. This support included strengthening the regulations and capacity building conducted for decision makers and key players through participation in symposia, regional workshops, study visits and on-the-job training.

OPERATIONALISING OF THE CARIFORUM-UK EPA Work continued during the year on operationalising the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was provisionally applied from 2021. A proposal for a Technical Assistant Project and a Memorandum of Understanding between CARIFORUM and the UK to implement the TA Project was negotiated to commence in the new year. Regional Integration CARIFORUM relations with the French Caribbean Outermost Regions (FCORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories were further advanced through the establishment of the EDF INTERREG Caribbean Operational Programme (2021-2027). This programme seeks to strengthen the integration of the French overseas territories into their regional area. The CARIFORUM Directorate participated in the INTERREG technical and Management meetings on the INTERREG projects. To widen Caribbean cooperation aimed at the sustainable social and economic development of CARIFORUM States, FCORs and OCTs in the Wider Caribbean Region, a Regional Technical Cooperation Facility was agreed with the EU. Two main activities to be supported under the Facility are i) the review of the framework for structured and continuous dialogue at the political and technical level, and ii) CARICOM negotiations with French and Dutch Territories for associate membership of CARICOM.

SECTION VII OPERATIONS OF THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT All Staff returned fully to the Headquarters Building in April as work life began returning to normalcy following the mainly work from home practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its Human Resource Department, the Secretariat continued to emphasise employee relations by sharing weekly infographics with staff with health tips and information on how to keep safe from COVID-19. The Secretariat also provided continuous support to ensure the mental and physical health and total well-being of staff members, including first-line counselling as well as counselling services by three qualified Secretariat-appointed Counsellors.

The Secretariat hosted its Wellness Week during the month of September, in observance of Caribbean Wellness Day. This continues to be an annual activity on the Secretariat’s calendar to help to promote healthy lifestyles. Activities held during the Wellness Week included a Fitness Walk; health screenings and talks; fitness challenges and healthy diet food demonstrations.

CARICOM Annual Wellness Day Walk

The Staff Talent Celebration in November was held in person after a break because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The main purpose of this event is to tap into the creativity of staff members and foster the holistic approach to staff wellbeing. This week-long activity in which staff members showcased their culinary, artistic, and other creative skills, as well as

performances at a talent show, was successful and well-received by staff.

Week Long Activities of Staff Talent

A Training Needs Assessment was relaunched, and a training report developed indicating the top priority training needs of the Secretariat as follows: •

all job categories: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Project Management and

Communication,

Critical

Thinking,

Strategic

Planning

/Management,

Communication,

Change Management, Team Building, Time Management, General Management, Performance Management and Budget Management; •

all technical areas: Monitoring and Evaluation, Report Writing, Research and Analysis,

Analysis and Reporting, Leadership and Research and Consulting; •

the

administration

category:

General

Administration,

Leadership,

Written

Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Research and Analytical, Meeting Coordination, Time

Management, and Stress Management. During the year, all staff benefitted from a training programme in Performance Management, which was developed and delivered by the HRM Unit. Additionally, approval was granted for sixteen (16) staff members to participate in seven (7) training courses. A wide cross-section of staff participated in three (3) webinars (Protocol, Artificial Intelligence and Procurement). Eleven (11) interns were hosted across six (6) sub-programmes. With respect to Talent Management, twenty-three (23) new employees were hired while thirtyfour (34) employees departed from the services of the Secretariat. CONFERENCE SERVICES The Secretariat continued to support the process of consultation and decision-making within CARICOM through effective and efficient conference service support for Community meetings. Services included preparation and dissemination of documentation, meeting administration and logistics, rapporteurial support as well as unofficial translations for short documents. Eighty-one (81) meetings were serviced in 2022.

The use of information technology

continues to enhance the speed and efficiency of the dissemination of documentation and has significantly reduced the need for printed copies.

The information technology also

provided Member States with a secure platform to access meeting documentation and other administrative information. COMMUNICATIONS The Secretariat continued the promotion of its work during the year through various avenues including media and other public engagements and an active online and social media presence. The CARICOM website (www.caricom.org) and News Site (www.today.caricom.org) provided updated content in tandem with regular posts on CARICOM’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages. One hundred and ten (110) new videos were posted on CARICOM’s You Tube channel covering news clips, recorded statements, interviews and live-streams. Ninety-nine (99) press releases, messages and statements were issued to traditional media, and media representatives were facilitated at pre and post Heads of Government press conferences.

INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEM Work continued during the year to redesign and develop the Secretariat’s Intranet using the Microsoft SharePoint platform. There was further upgrading of the website to incorporate multiple sub-sites, enhance site security and search capability. The year also saw deployment of cloud services for the hosting of web applications, websites and source code for internally developed applications. Technical support was provided to the Building Energy Management System (BEMS) for the Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Plant with Battery and Power Conditioning Systems which were installed at the Headquarters building. There was also a rollout of security awareness training to staff and the enhancement of security for access to enterprise network resources. INTERNAL AUDIT During the year, Internal Audit engagements were completed for the Secretariat in Finance, Human Resource Management, Administrative Services, Procurement and Donor Resource Funds. While Internal Audit noted no major issue to report in relation to the audits conducted, several recommendations were made to management to continue strengthening the system of internal controls in specific areas. As part of its 2022 Work Programme, the Internal Audit Department also provided substantial support to four (4) of the Regional Institutions in the implementation of an audit management software. This was conducted as part of a Memorandum of Understanding with those Institutions to assist them to establish their own internal audit functions. The original 2022 Annual Internal Audit Plan was revised to cater for some of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which included work-from-home arrangements and some limitations on overseas travel. At the end of the year, 82% of the revised plan was completed, 9% substantially completed and 9% was in progress. The substantially completed and in progress audits were carried forward to be finalized in Q1 2023. Due to increased requests from Regional Institutions for professional internal audit services, and the increased technicality in the types of audits being performed, it became necessary to restructure the Internal Audit Department. Key aspects of the restructuring included upgrading three (3) incumbent staff and creating a supervisory position within the department. At the end of the reporting period, the Secretariat reflected an overall implementation rate of audit recommendations of 67%, which represented a one-percentage point improvement

when compared with the rate of 66% for the corresponding period in 2021. FINANCE AND BUDGET In 2022, the Community Council approved a Combined Member States’ resources Budget of EC$56,502,329 (Headquarters and Office of Trade Negotiations) and the International Development Partners’ (IDPs) budget of EC 16,813,273. The approved Member States’ budget, together with other income of EC$373,419, represents total revenue of EC$56,875,748 for the year. Other income includes support for administrative expenses from IDPs (such as from management fees on projects funded by development partners, interest, and gains from the disposal of assets). In addition to the above, CARICOM Secretariat received revenue of EC$16,804,436 (US$6,185,151) from IDPs. A Summary of Member States Assessed Contribution for the year 2022 is given below: CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SECRETARIAT – Headquarters and OTN CONTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT

EC Dollars

In 2022, actual expenditure from Member States’ resources (Headquarters and OTN) amounted to EC$48,515,875 and the IDP resources totalling EC$21,408,804 (US$7,879,865) was spent. The table below provides a summary of expenditure funded from Member States’ contributions for the year 2022:

The Secretariat received an unqualified opinion on its Financial Statements for 2022 from the External Auditors.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1 - THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) comprises fifteen Member States and five Associate Members. The Member States are: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Associate Members are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). CARICOM was established on the basis of the (original) Treaty of Chaguaramas, signed on 4 July 1973, in honour of the birthday of Norman Washington Manley, a leading advocate of the West Indies Federation and one of Jamaica’s national heroes. The Treaty and its Annex (setting out the details of the Common Market Arrangements) came into effect on 1 August 1973. In July 2001, the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the Establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) was opened for signature at the Twenty-Second Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in The Bahamas. The Revised Treaty entered into force on 1 January 2006, following the deposit, with the Secretary-General, of the Twelfth Instrument of Ratification by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica on 8 November 2005. Prior to that, it had been provisionally applied. The Revised Treaty applies to all CARICOM Member States, except The Bahamas and Montserrat. Through a Special Membership Agreement signed in February 2006, The Bahamas maintains its membership and participation in the Community as it existed immediately prior to the entry into force of the Revised Treaty. At the same time, The Bahamas signed a Special Agreement enabling the entry into force of the Revised Treaty. Montserrat also signed a Special Membership Agreement, as it had not at the time, received the requested Entrustment from the Government of the United Kingdom which would have allowed that Member to sign and ratify the Revised Treaty. In 2014, the Government of Montserrat received the Entrustments to enable its accession to the Revised Treaty. While its full accession continues to be pursued, Montserrat participates in some areas of the CARICOM Single Market, including the trade regime and elements of the movement of skills regime. Montserrat has also joined critical Community Institutions, such as the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA). The Republic of Haiti was formally accepted as the fifteenth Member State of CARICOM in July 2002 and became a party to the Revised Treaty in 2008. Haiti has partly implemented the trade regime and efforts continue to fully integrate that country into the CSME arrangements. The Community has the following objectives as set out in Article 6 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy signed in July 2001:

Improved standards of living and work;

Full employment of labour and other factors of production;

Accelerated, coordinated and sustained economic development and convergence;

Expansion of trade and economic relations with Third States;

Enhanced levels of international competitiveness;

Organisation for increased production and productivity;

The achievement of a greater measure of economic leverage and effectiveness of Member States in dealing

with Third States, groups of States and entities of any description; h.

Enhanced co-ordination of Member States’ foreign and (foreign) economic policies;

Enhanced functional cooperation including:

(i)

More efficient operation of common services and activities for the benefit of its peoples;

(ii)

Accelerated promotion of greater understanding among its peoples and the advancement of their social,

cultural and technological development; and (iii)

Intensified activities in areas such as health, education, transportation and telecommunications.

The Principal Organs of the Community are: o

The Conference of Heads of Government commonly called `The Conference’; and

The Community Council of Ministers commonly called `The Community Council’

The Conference of Heads of Government is the Supreme Organ of the Community. It consists of the Heads of Government of the Member States. Its role includes: o

Determining and providing policy direction; and

Final authority for the conclusion of treaties on behalf of the Community and for entering into relationships

between the Community and International Organisations and States. The Conference is also responsible for making the financial arrangements to meet the expenses of the Community but has delegated this function to the Community Council. The Conference seeks to arrive at decisions by consensus. When consensus cannot be achieved, the matter may be put to a vote.

BUREAU OF THE CONFERENCE The Bureau of the Conference consists of the incumbent Chairperson of the Conference, as Chair, as well as the Incoming and Outgoing Chairpersons of the Conference. The Secretary-General serves on the Bureau as an ex officio member. The decision to create the Bureau of the Conference was taken at the Special Meeting of the Heads of Government in October 1992. It came into operation in December 1992. The responsibilities of the Bureau are to: o

Initiate proposals;

Update consensus;

Facilitate implementation of Community decisions; and

Provide guidance to the Secretariat on policy issues

The Community Council of Ministers

The Community Council of Ministers is the second highest Organ of the Community. It consists of Ministers responsible for Community Affairs and any other Minister designated by Member States. It is responsible for:

•

the development of Community strategic planning and coordination in the areas of economic integration,

human and social development, security, and external relations; and •

reviewing and approving the work programme and budget of the CARICOM Secretariat.

The Community Council also serves as a preparatory body for the meetings of the Conference.

ORGANS AND BODIES The Principal Organs of the Community are assisted by the following Organs (Ministerial Councils) and Bodies: •

The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which promotes trade and economic development

of the Community including, among other things, overseeing the operation of the CSME; •

The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which promotes human and social development;

•

The Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP), which is responsible for economic policy coordination and

financial and monetary integration; •

The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), which is responsible for coordinating the

Community’s response to security threats, to ensure a safe and stable Community; and •

The Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), which determines relations between the

Community and International Organisations and Third States and promotes the development of friendly and mutually beneficial relations among Member States; The Bodies are: •

The Legal Affairs Committee, comprising Ministers responsible for Legal Affairs and/or Attorneys-General

of Member States. The LAC is responsible for providing the Organs and Bodies with advice on treaties, international legal issues, the harmonisation of laws of the Community and other legal matters; •

The Budget Committee, comprising senior officials and responsible for reviewing the draft work programme

and budget of the CARICOM Secretariat and for making recommendations to the Community Council; and •

The Committee of Central Bank Governors, comprising the Governors or Heads of the Central Banks or their

nominees and responsible for making recommendations to the COFAP on matters related to monetary cooperation, payments arrangements, free movement of capital, integration of capital markets, monetary union and any other related matters referred to it by the Organs of the Community.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY The Secretary-General is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community. He/She is appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government. The Secretary-General serves a five-year term of office. In 2016, in the context of the ongoing reform process, the Conference agreed that there would be a limit of two terms for the Secretaries-General.

The Secretary-General is also head of the CARICOM Secretariat, the principal administrative organ of the Community. The Secretary-General provides political, technical and administrative leadership as well as advice and support for the work of the Principal Organs, Organs and Bodies of the Community and to Member States. He is supported by an Executive Management Team within the CARICOM Secretariat comprising the Deputy Secretary-General; the GeneralCounsel; the Assistant Secretaries-General responsible for Trade and Economic Integration, Human and Social Development and Foreign and Community Relations; and the Director-General responsible for Trade Negotiations. The Secretary-General also serves as the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) - the grouping comprising the independent CARICOM Member States, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Information about CARIFORUM is provided at Appendix II. The current Secretary-General is Dr Carla Barnett, a national of Belize. Dr Barnett assumed the Office of Secretary-General in August 2021.

Past Secretaries-General of CARICOM

Mr. Fred Cozier, a national of Barbados, was Secretary-General of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), the predecessor to CARICOM, during the period 1968-1969. He was succeeded by Hon. William Demas, OCC, who served as Secretary- General of CARIFTA from 1970 and oversaw the transition from CARIFTA to CARICOM.

THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SECRETARIAT The CARICOM Secretariat is the principal administrative organ of the Caribbean Community. Its Mission is: To provide dynamic leadership and service in partnership with Community Institutions and groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all. Functions of the CARICOM Secretariat: (a)

Service meetings of the Organs and Bodies of the Community and take appropriate follow-up action to such meetings;

(b)

Initiate, organise and conduct studies on issues for the achievement of the objectives of the Community;

(c)

Provide, on request, services to Member States, on matters relating to the achievement of its objectives;

(d)

Collect, store and disseminate to Member States, information relevant for the achievement of its objectives;

(e)

Assist Community Organs in the development and implementation of proposals and programmes for the achievement of the objectives of the Community;

(f)

Coordinate in relation to the Community, the activities of donor agencies, international, regional and national institutions for the achievement of the objectives of the Community;

(g)

Prepare the draft budget of the Community for examination by the Budget Committee;

(h)

Provide, on request, technical assistance to national authorities to facilitate implementation of Community decisions;

(i)

Conduct, as mandated, fact-finding missions to Member States; and

(j)

Initiate or develop proposals for consideration and decision by the Organs to achieve Community objectives.

STRUCTURE OF THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT The Secretariat has the following Offices and Directorates: o

Office of the Secretary-General

Office of the Deputy Secretary-General

Office of the General-Counsel

Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development

Directorate for CARICOM Single Market and Trade

Directorate for Human and Social Development; and

Directorate for Foreign and Community Relations

Institutions and Associate Institutions of the Community

INSTITUTIONS AND ASSOCIATE INSTITUTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY The Community has established the following Institutions and Associate Institutions with specialised functions which contribute to the achievement of its objectives: COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) https://cahfsa.org/

As per Decision of the Twenty-First Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (March 2010, Dominica) Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) http://www.cardi.org/ As per Article 21 of the Revised Treaty Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD) https://www.caricad.net/ As per Article 21 of the Revised Treaty Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) https://www.carpha.org/ As per Decision of the Twenty-First Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (March 2010, Dominica) Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) http://cassos.org/ As per Decision of the Twenty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (July 2008, Antigua and Barbuda) CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) http://www.caricomcompetitioncommission.com/ As per Articles 171-174 of the Revised Treaty Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) http://www.caribbeanclimate.bz/ As per Decision of the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (February 2002, Belize) Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) https://www.cdema.org/ As per Article 21 of the Revised Treaty (formerly CDERA) CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) https://www.caricomimpacs.org/ As per Decision of the Twenty-Sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (July 2005, Saint Lucia) CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) https://caricomdevelopmentfund.org/ As per Article 158 of the Revised Treaty and the Agreement Relating to the Operations of the CDF signed in July 2008

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) http://www.cimh.edu.bb/ As per Article 21 of the Revised Treaty (Formerly CMI) Caribbean Knowledge Learning Network Agency (CKLNA) www.ckln.org As per Decision of the Twenty-First Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (March 2010, Dominica) Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO) http://www.cmo.org.tt/ As per Article 21 of the Revised Treaty Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) http://crfm.net/ As per Decision of the Twenty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (July 2003, Jamaica) CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) https://website.crosq.org/ As per Article 67 of the Revised Treaty and the Agreement Establishing CROSQ Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) https://www.ctu.int/ Formalised by Decision of the Thirty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (July 2013, Trinidad and Tobago) Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) https://www.cxc.org/ Formalised by Decision of the Twentieth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (March 2009, Belize) Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) https://www.ccj.org/ Pursuant to Article 211 of the Revised Treaty and the Agreement establishing the CCJ.

ASSOCIATE INSTITUTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) https://www.caribank.org/ As per Article 22 of the Revised Treaty.

Caribbean Law Institute/Caribbean Law Institute Centre (CLI/CLIC) https://caricom.org/institutions/caribbean-law-institute-cli-caribbean-law-institute-centre-clic/ As per Article 22 of the Revised Treaty. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission https://www.oecs.org/ As per Article 22 of the Revised Treaty. With the signature of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre in June 2010 at the 51st Meeting of the OECS Authority, the OECS Secretariat was redesignated the OECS Commission. The Revised Treaty of Basseterre entered into force in January 2011. The University of the West Indies (UWI) http://www.uwi.edu/index.asp As per Article 22 of the Revised Treaty. University of Guyana (UG) https://www.uog.edu.gy/ As per Article 22 of the Revised Treaty.

THE COMMUNITY ALSO HAS A FUNCTIONAL COOPERATION RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS IN THE REGION: Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) https://www.carib-export.com/ Council of Legal Education (CLE) http://www.clecaribbean.com/ Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) https://www.onecaribbean.org/

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ACP

African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

ART Antiretroviral therapy BEEP

Building Energy Efficiency Project

BPR Business Process Review BREXIT

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union

BVI British Virgin Islands CAHFSA

Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency

CARDI

Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute

CARIBBEAN EXPORT

Caribbean Export Development Agency

CARICAD

Caribbean Centre for Development Administration

CARICOM Caribbean Community CARICOM IMPACS

CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security

CARIFORUM

Caribbean Forum of ACP States

CARIFESTA

Caribbean Festival of Arts

CARPHA

Caribbean Public Health Agency

CASSOS

Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System

CBSI

Caribbean Basin Security Initiative

CBU Caribbean Broadcasting Union CCA

CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors

CCCCC

Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

CCC CARICOM Competition Commission CCH

Caribbean Cooperation in Health

CCJ

Caribbean Court of Justice

CCRIF

Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility

CCSS

CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy

CDB Caribbean Development Bank CDEMA

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

CDF CARICOM Development Fund CEBO

Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity

CEM CARICOM Energy Month CIMH

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology

CKLNA

Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network Agency

CLE

Council of Legal Education

CLI/CLIC

Caribbean Law Institute/Caribbean Law Institute Centre

CMO Caribbean Meteorological Organisation

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COFCOR

Council for Foreign and Community Relations

COFAP

Council for Finance and Planning

COHSOD

Council for Human and Social Development

CONSLE

Council for National Security and Law Enforcement

COP

(United Nations) Conference of the Parties

COTED

Council for Trade and Economic Development

CQF

CARICOM Qualifications Framework

CRC

CARICOM Reparations Commission

CRFM

Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism

CRIP

Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme

CROSQ

CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality

CRPD

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

C-SERMS

Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy

CSME

CARICOM Single Market and Economy

CSO Civil Society Organisation CTO Caribbean Tourism Organisation CTU Caribbean Telecommunications Union CVQ

Caribbean Vocational Qualification

CWA

Caribbean Week of Agriculture

CXC Caribbean Examinations Council CYA CARICOM Youth Ambassador CYAP

CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme

CYDAP

CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan

ECGECW

Every Caribbean Girl, Every Caribbean Woman

EDF European Development Fund EPA Economic Partnership Agreement EU European Union FAO

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

FATF

Financial Action Task Force

GDP Gross Domestic Product GIZ

German Agency for International Cooperation

HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

HRD Human Resource Development ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organisation

ICT

Information and Communication Technologies

IDRC

International Development Research Centre

IFI International Financial Institution IICA

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

ISBN

International Standard Book Number

LAC

Legal Affairs Committee

LMIS

Labour Market Information System

MASA

Multilateral Air Services Agreement

MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement MOU Memorandum of Understanding NCD Non-Communicable Disease OAS

Organisation of American States

OECD

Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development

OECS

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

PAHO

Pan American Health Organisation

PANCAP

Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS

PEPFAR

President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief

PMSC Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee RBM Results-based Management REEBC

Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code

REETA

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance

RSS Regional Security System

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SDG Sustainable Development Goal SIDS

Small Island Developing States

SME

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary TCI

Turks and Caicos Islands

TOR Terms of Reference TWG Technical Working Group UG University of Guyana UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNAIDS

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

USA

United States of America

USAID

United States Agency for International Development

UWI

University of the West Indies

WHO World Health Organisation WTO World Trade Organisation

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CARICOM Secretariat Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana communications@caricom.org (592) 222-0001-75

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