PRIME MINISTER Dr Godwin Friday, at the National
Heroes Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Obelisk in
Dorsetshire Hill. (Photo/APISVG)
July 8, 2026
PM Friday heads SVG Delegation to CARICOM Heads 51st Regular Meeting in Saint Lucia
Prime Minister, Dr. Godwin Friday is leading the St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) delegation to the 51st Regular Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which opens in Saint Lucia today, Sunday July 5, 2026, at Sandals Grande Saint Lucian.
The opening ceremony, which marks the start of the four-day meeting (July 5-8), will also involve government officials, representatives of regional and international institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners and delegates from across the Caribbean Community.
Over that four-day period, the Region’s highest decision-makers will deliberate on matters critical to the future of the Caribbean Community, that include regional security, climate change and climate financing, food and nutrition security, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, community enlargement, foreign and community relations, reparations and other priorities affecting the sustainable development of the Region.
The ceremony will feature addresses by the Outgoing Chairman (Immediate Past Chairman) of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew; the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett; and the Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre.
Special remarks will also be delivered by Rahym Augustin-Joseph, a Saint Lucian youth leader and Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholar.
Prime Minister Pierre assumed the Chairmanship of CARICOM on July 1, 2026, marking the beginning of Saint Lucia’s six-month tenure at the helm of the Caribbean Community. During that period, Saint Lucia will lead the Community’s work as Member States continue to strengthen regional cooperation and pursue practical solutions to shared challenges.
The other members of the SVG delegation are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investments and Diaspora Affairs, Fitzgerald Bramble; Ambassador to CARICOM, Allan Alexander; Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, Randolph Cato; Press Secretary, Danielle Veira; and Protection Officer, Corporal Desrick Quashie.
In the absence of Prime Minister Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Disaster Management and Immigration, St. Clair Leacock, will act as Prime Minister.
