Skerrit Stars

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is in the regional spotlight as the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) observes its 50th anniversary.

Because of the CARICOM rotational system, it is his turn to be the incoming chairperson of the 20-member regional integration grouping.

All eyes will therefore be on Skerrit during the 45th Regular Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government to be held in the twin state of Trinidad and Tobago from July 3-5, 2023.

Among the who's who scheduled to attend the meeting will be US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will travel to TT on July 5 to participate in the CARICOM meeting, reports the News Day newspaper.

An official release from the Department of State said Blinken's visit seeks to build on US Vice President Kamala Harris' historic visit to the Bahamas on June 8, when she co-hosted the US-Caribbean leaders meeting.

He will also engage on pressing issues in the region with heads of government, including TT's Prime Minister and incoming chair, Roosevelt Skerrit.

Also scheduled to meet with the heads of CARICOM states was Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the Korea Times reported.

Han's visit to Trinidad would mark the first time a head of state-level official from Korea would attend the CARICOM event.

During the conference, the Korean prime minister plans to unveil a series of measures to enhance cooperation between Seoul and the Caribbean nations. One such measure involves the establishment of an agricultural technology platform designed to address the challenges posed by climate change.

In addition, Han will hold bilateral summits with his counterparts from Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley and Roosevelt Skerrit, on the sidelines of the event, the Korea Times reported.

In addition, the secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres and delegations from Beijing, China, Washington, Canada and the European Union are expected to attend the meeting.

The situation in Haiti is at the top of the agenda for the CARICOM heads meeting. Other key issues will be food security, crime, climate change, regional travel, and integration.