On October 21, 2025 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) held a Vice-Chancellor’s Forum. Titled “Promises, Passports, and Possibilities: Free Movement, the CSME, and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project.” The forum aimed to explore the long-standing aspirations of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) for seamless mobility among Caribbean nationals.
The Forum occurs against the backdrop of heightened discussions surrounding the free movement of CARICOM nationals. While Articles 45 and 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) were designed to facilitate the unrestricted movement of Caribbean citizens for leisure and employment, the promise of hassle-free travel remains largely unfulfilled. Current challenges, such as immigration checks that contradict the vision of a unified Caribbean, highlight the urgent need for renewed dialogue.
The discussions will explore proposals to amend the RTC and the 2025 Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation, aiming for deeper regional integration. With countries like Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines actively pursuing the goals of the CSME, this Forum is crucial for highlighting opportunities for transforming promises into reality.
You can view the recording of the forum below.