CARICOM Leaders Engage in High-Level Bilateral Discussions at UN Headquarters

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is poised to actively participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, scheduled for September 20-29, 2025. This year’s assembly, themed “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” offers a critical opportunity to reaffirm global dedication to multilateralism, collaborative action, and the well-being of both humanity and the planet. CARICOM’s engagement will span a wide range of activities, including high-level meetings, bilateral discussions, specialized side events, and the main General Debate. The delegation, spearheaded by Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Ms. Elizabeth Solomon, aims to champion the region’s key priorities: climate action, sustainable development, peacebuilding, and global health, all while underscoring CARICOM’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew, will join other Caribbean Heads of Government for the General Debate, slated for September 23-27, with Suriname taking the lead for CARICOM in addressing the General Assembly. Beyond the General Debate, CARICOM’s presence will be felt across numerous significant events. On September 22nd, the Community will partake in the High-Level Meeting commemorating the UN’s 80th anniversary, convened by the UNGA President, as well as the High-Level Event on the Multilateral Support System (MSS) hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto. These engagements underscore CARICOM’s commitment to the strengthening and reform of the multilateral system, a core element of the Community’s foreign policy agenda.

Dr. Barnett, CARICOM’s Secretary-General, will play a pivotal role in several key events, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNCTAD and CARICOM. Furthermore, she will participate in a High-Level Meeting on Haiti, underscoring the region’s deep concern and commitment to finding sustainable solutions for the ongoing crisis in the fellow CARICOM Member State. Dr. Barnett’s involvement also extends to the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, focusing on the implementation of development financing commitments. She will also engage in high-level discussions centered around Climate Mobility Champions, Non-Communicable Diseases, and Mental Health, reflecting CARICOM’s focus on pressing global health and environmental challenges.

CARICOM’s leadership in addressing the Haitian crisis will be further emphasized during a Roundtable Discussion titled “Making the Case for Haiti” on September 22nd. ASG Solomon is expected to lead CARICOM’s contributions in this crucial discussion, advocating for international support and highlighting the region’s ongoing efforts to facilitate a Haitian-led solution. This underlines CARICOM’s deep commitment to regional stability and its consistent efforts to support Haiti in its pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable development.

Beyond her engagement on the Haiti issue, ASG Solomon will represent CARICOM at a range of other events, including the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards, where she will highlight the Community’s commitment to global citizenship and multilateral cooperation. Concurrent with the high-level segment of the UNGA, CARICOM Foreign Ministers will engage in a series of crucial meetings, including the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, providing a platform to discuss issues of common interest and strengthen intra-Commonwealth cooperation. They will also engage with their Nordic counterparts from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, and participate in the EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers Meeting, fostering dialogue and cooperation between the two regional blocs. These meetings provide crucial opportunities for CARICOM to advance its interests and build partnerships on the global stage.

The CARICOM Foreign Ministers will convene a dedicated meeting of their own, the 24th Special Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), on September 22nd. This meeting serves as a vital platform for the Foreign Ministers to deliberate on key foreign policy matters and strategize for upcoming international engagements ahead of the high-level week at the UNGA. ASG Solomon emphasized the significance of this meeting in an interview preceding the UNGA, describing it as “a very important opportunity” for coordination and alignment on critical foreign policy issues. Overall, CARICOM’s robust engagement at the 80th UNGA signifies its commitment to multilateralism, its proactive role in addressing global challenges, and its dedication to advocating for the interests of its Member States on the international stage. The delegation’s participation in various fora will allow the Community to amplify its voice on issues ranging from climate change and sustainable development to peacebuilding and global health, contributing to the broader UN agenda and fostering collaboration for a better future.