Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting on 25 February 2026 at Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
It is a profound honour to join you here in beautiful Basseterre — hosted so generously by Prime Minister Drew and the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis — at this 50th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.
Fifty meetings. More than half a century since the Treaty of Chaguaramas. And a theme that speaks not only to this gathering, but to this moment in history: Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM. Here in this Basseterre sun — from the green peaks of St Kitts to the vast shores of Guyana — let us indeed act on the resolve of the peoples of this shared Caribbean home, united by warm waters, resilience, and an unshakeable sense of identity.
I join you here as a sister, as someone whose roots straddle Africa and these islands, and as a Secretary-General determined that the Commonwealth delivers. Above all, I am here to listen at a time of defining global conversation on how we turn things around and to engage with you on how to make our partnership even more enduring. And I pay a warm tribute to my predecessor, whose Caribbean roots and steadfast service strengthened both this Community and the wider Commonwealth. I share her commitment to small states — both as places of immense beauty and intrinsic value, and also as moral and strategic anchors within global affairs — and I build on that foundation with a clear conviction: The Commonwealth is strongest when all our regions move forward together. And, Excellencies, we need that togetherness now.
Across your statements and communiqués — from Montego Bay to Addis Ababa, from New York to COP — you have spoken with clarity about the pressures shaping our world: Climate vulnerability. Debt burdens. Rising costs of living. Transnational crime. Geopolitical uncertainty.
Your voices have been steady, measured, consistent and principled. But also, strong. Affirming sovereignty. Emphasising dialogue. Promoting partnership. That approach — questioning, visionary and forward-looking — is what drives the Commonwealth today, and precisely what today’s international environment requires. The Commonwealth stands with you in that spirit.
We believe that an international system that works equally and equitably for each country and community is the only guarantee for growth and prosperity for all countries, large and small. We must be invested in the prosperity of each of our nations in our highly interconnected world or we would reap the meagre harvest of struggling economies. If anyone needed the evidence, we have over eighty years of experience with the post- Second World War arrangements and a world that would be unrecognisable to those who shaped our future.
Excellencies,
As we shape a new future together, we believe that greater cooperation, not less, is needed. Cooperation is not a constraint on sovereignty — it is how sovereignty is protected in an interconnected world. And we believe that constructive engagement with all partners — including major economies and neighbours — is essential to Caribbean prosperity.
Again and again, CARICOM has helped to shape global debate and events. The Bridgetown Initiative has not echoed the global conversation on finance and climate — it has changed it. Placing vulnerability at the centre of financial reform discussions. Challenging outdated attitudes and metrics. And reframing climate finance as an issue of fairness and growth. The Commonwealth recognises that leadership, and I pay personal tribute to you.
Indeed, the driving principles of the Bridgetown Initiative align absolutely with the purpose of our new Strategic Plan: sharpening our focus on economic resilience, environmental resilience, democratic resilience, and resilient people across all our member states — especially our small and vulnerable members. In keeping with the theme of this Conference, our Strategic Plan is specifically designed to move us beyond words. That means:
Turning the Commonwealth’s trade advantage into tangible opportunity for all our Member Countries. Supporting high impact investment into renewable energy, agriculture, blue economies and digital innovation.
Mobilising impactful strategic partnerships, especially with the private sector, foundations, charities, non- governmental organisations and high net worth individuals to enhance the resources needed to transform our development strategies.
And ensuring our milestone meetings — especially the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) — are not gatherings for speech making, but platforms for meaningful engagement with financial institutions, the private sector and development partners.
As we prepare for CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda, we do so with extraordinary ambition — so that when leaders gather in this region again, they leave with decisions that matter for growth, jobs and resilience. And let us acknowledge that the Caribbean has hosted pivotal CHOGMs before: In Jamaica in 1975. In The Bahamas in 1985. In Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. Each time, this region helped steer the Commonwealth through moments of global change. History suggests you may be about to do so again.
Excellencies,
Ours is a partnership rooted in experience, in common values and principles, and in practical action. Democracy is a clear example. Lived practice in this region, grounded in unshakable commitment, and underpinned by dedicated work to sustain and strengthen it. The Commonwealth has been proud to support elections across several Caribbean member states in recent years — and we have consistently commended the professionalism and peaceful participation demonstrated across the region.
We look forward to continuing our “whole-of-election-cycle” approach — working with you not only on polling days, but on institutions, trust, transparency and participation between elections.
Because confidence in institutions strengthens confidence in economies. And stability attracts investment. Across the board, the priorities of CARICOM and the Commonwealth align because our values and interests align.
Under the theme “Beyond Words,” I applaud your efforts to deepen the CSME (CARICOM Single Market and Economy) — strengthening regional integration for the benefit of peoples united by these warm waters. These actions will enhance the integration of Commonwealth markets and our shared prosperity agenda.
On food and nutrition security — vital amid rising global costs — let us partner, including on our work on insuring against hurricane damage, to fortify farms, fisheries and supply chains, turning vulnerability into abundance for every Caribbean table. On organised crime, let us continue to combine security cooperation with opportunity creation — because resilience is both enforcement and empowerment.
And in this season of geopolitical shifts, as Prime Minister Drew has urged unity and strength, our Commonwealth family joins hands with you — steadfast, as your anthem says, building one resilient Caribbean. The Commonwealth does not replace your partnerships. It reinforces them.
It offers a wider platform. A ready-made market of 2.7 billion people. A diplomatic bridge across continents. But above all, it offers solidarity. This is not a time for fragmentation. It is a time for constructive partnership.
CARICOM has consistently chosen partnership — regionally and globally. And the Commonwealth stands ready to work alongside you. To amplify your voice. To strengthen your resilience. To support your ambitions. Here in Basseterre — under Caribbean skies that have weathered many storms — let us renew a simple but powerful commitment: That we will face change together. That we will pursue growth together. And that when the Caribbean speaks with unity, the Commonwealth will stand with it. Your priorities are our priorities. Your resilience strengthens us all. And as you move beyond words, the Commonwealth moves with you — in solidarity, in partnership, and in shared purpose.
