New CARICOM Chair Vows to Tackle Key Regional Issues

Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, the new rotating chairman of CARICOM, pledges to address climate justice, gun violence, and digital technology advancements. During a summit that was delayed by Hurricane Beryl, Mitchell also highlighted the necessity for the free movement of people and the addition of Curacao to the bloc.

Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell assumed the role of the new rotating chairman of CARICOM on Sunday, pledging to address climate justice, reduce gun violence, and push for advancements in digital technology. Mitchell's tenure begins after a delayed summit due to Hurricane Beryl, noted as the Atlantic's earliest Category 4 storm on record.

Mitchell takes over from Guyana's President Irfaan Ali, with a focus on facilitating the free movement of people across the regional bloc, which has also officially included the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. Caribbean nations face mounting challenges from climate change, with calls for developed nations to reduce emissions and provide financial aid for climate mitigation.

Highlighting the urgency, Mitchell stated, "Explain to the citizens of Carriacou and Petite Martinique how we will stop these Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes from hitting them." The CARICOM leader emphasized the bloc's commitment to climate justice and economic cooperation among its Small Island Developing States (SIDS), underscoring the region's vulnerability to extreme weather and economic pressures.

(With inputs from agencies.)