In his final address as president of CARICOM, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness highlighted regional unity during Hurricane Melissa, the expansion of free movement of people, the coordination of security efforts, and renewed attention to Haiti as key achievements of his term as president, as he prepares to hand over the reins at the end of the year. In January, Saint Kitts and Nevis will assume the CARICOM pro tempore presidency.

Excerpts from Andrew Holness's speech :

"[...] This year, CARICOM made meaningful progress in advancing regional integration and economic growth. At the Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in Jamaica in July, we announced the historic decision of Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to implement full free movement of persons among themselves as of 1 October 2025. This “concentric circles” approach, which is consistent with integration models elsewhere in the world, allows willing States to deepen cooperation while keeping the door open for others to participate when ready.

[...] CARICOM continued its sustained advocacy for increased international support for Haiti. These efforts kept Haiti firmly on the global agenda and contributed to the adoption of a United Nations Security Council Resolution establishing a Gang Suppression Force, (GSF) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html supported in part by United Nations funding (equipment, food, fuel, infrastructure, air and sea resources).

CARICOM is now a key partner in the tripartite coordination of the Organization of American States’ Roadmap toward Stability and Peace in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46151-haiti-politic-the-oas-presents-the-3rd-version-of-the-roadmap-on-haiti.html , and we look forward with optimism to the preparations for free and fair elections in 2026 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46492-haiti-flash-the-cep-has-just-published-the-revised-electoral-calendar-in-the-moniteur.html

CARICOM remains committed to the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, grounded in respect for international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the de-escalation of conflict. The Community is consistent and unequivocal in its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States. We are also firm in our stances against transnational organized criminal networks and the impact of drugs, guns and human trafficking on the security of our region. We do, however, recognize that Member States may, from time to time, express differing national perspectives. Such diversity of views is a natural feature of a Community of sovereign nations and does not alter the institutional mandate, the economic interdependence, or the organic people-to-people ties that bind us, regardless of exigencies as may arise from time to time."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46492-haiti-flash-the-cep-has-just-published-the-revised-electoral-calendar-in-the-moniteur.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46151-haiti-politic-the-oas-presents-the-3rd-version-of-the-roadmap-on-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html

HL/ HaitiLibre