New Caricom chair Dr Kenny Anthony to address 33rd HoG meeting

-Ramotar to give newcomer’s address

St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony will preside over the 33rd Caricom Heads of Government meeting today, since assuming the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community on July 1.  A press release from the Caricom Secretariat said Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque will lead the speakers at the opening of the three-day 33rd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, which will start at 9.30am at the Sandals Grande and will be streamed live over the internet.

President Donald Ramotar will deliver the newcomer’s address and the programme also includes addresses by the chairman, immediate past Chairman, Prime Minister of The Bahamas Perry Christie and Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller. Anthony replaces Suriname President Desi Bouterse as chair. One of the highlights of the ceremony will be the conferment of Caricom’s highest award, the Order of the Caribbean Community, on Kamaluddin Mohammed of Trinidad and Tobago. Mohammed served in various cabinet positions in his native country and the award is in recognition of his sterling contribution to the integration of the region, particularly during his post as Minister of West Indian Affairs.

The Heads of Government will also receive the Secretaries-General of the Organisation of American States and of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States Jose Miguel Insulza and Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, respectively.