Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, of The Bahamas is the new chairman of the Caribbean Community, effective from the first of this year until June.

A press release from the Secretariat said Ingraham takes over from Barbados PM Owen Arthur who served as chairman from July 1, until December 31, 2007. Both PMs will continue to serve on the Bureau of the Conference of the Heads of Government along with incoming chairman, Antigua and Barbuda PM Baldwin Spencer and Caricom Secretary-General Edwin Carrington. Spencer replaces St Vincent and the Grenadines PM, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who served the Bureau from July 1, 2006 to December 30, 2007.

Caricom says the Bureau comprises the chairman, the immediate past chairman, the incoming chairman and the secretary-general. It was established in 1992 to initiate proposals for development and approval by the ministerial councils, as it considers necessary; update consensus among member states on issues determined by the Conference; facilitate implementation of Community decisions at the regional and local levels in an expeditious and informed manner and provide guidance to the Secretariat on policy issues.

The Bahamas will host the 19th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference set for March 7-8.