The special session of the Council on Foreign and Community Relations, chaired by Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson-Sm, is of great importance due to the role played by its members in advising heads of government on foreign policy matters.

Also on Wednesday, a meeting is expected between Prime Minister Mia Mottley and the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, who is in the Caribbean country to attend the Caricom meeting.

On Tuesday, the EC stressed the importance for the future of building lasting alliances “in times of geopolitical turmoil”, in a message sent to the members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Forum and Caricom.

According to the planned agenda, Von der Leyen will discuss, with Caribbean leaders, shared priorities between the Caribbean and the European Union, including the geopolitical landscape, climate change and current economic relations.

The 48th Regular Caricom Conference was convened under the theme: Strength in Unity: Building Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.

During the meeting, heads of government will discuss issues related to food and nutrition security, climate change and the climate finance agenda, current challenges in Haiti; security issues, digital resilience, foreign affairs and the Caricom Single Market and Economy.

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