(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – CARICOM must deliver results that the people of the Community can see and feel in their everyday lives, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Incoming Chair of CARICOM said Monday 15 June.
He was speaking at the national media launch of the Fifty-First Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which Saint Lucia will host from 5-8 July 2026.
“Regional integration must not be something discussed only in conference rooms or reflected solely in Communiqués. It must translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of Caribbean people,” Prime Minister Pierre stated, noting that Saint Lucia’s six-month Chairmanship, which begins on 1 July, will be guided by that goal.
Prime Minister Pierre will succeed the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the current Chair of CARICOM, who has served since 1 January 2026.
Describing the rotational system of leadership of CARICOM as “orderly,” he said it is one of the “enduring strengths” of the Community, demonstrating the shared responsibility, continuity and collective commitment of Member States to advance the regional agenda in service of the people of CARICOM.
In his statement, he also reflected on the theme Saint Lucia of the Conference, “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” noting that it captures both the reality of the Region’s circumstances and its response.
“The Caribbean people have always been resilient. Our history tells a story of endurance, of societies that emerged from colonialism, overcame economic vulnerability and built independent nations guided by hope, determination and unity.”
Noting that resilience is no longer enough, he stated:
“The task before us now is renewal. Renewal of our economies. Renewal of regional cooperation. Renewal of our institutions. Renewal of opportunity for our people. And renewal of confidence in our collective ability to shape our own future.”
Source: CARICOM
You can find a video of PM Pierre’s remarks at this link.