In a New Year’s address, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), outlined her vision and priorities for 2025. Mottley emphasized the importance of regional integration, economic resilience, and addressing pressing global challenges that directly impact the Caribbean.

A key focus of her address was the resumption of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), a long-discussed initiative aimed at creating a unified regional economic space. “Five years on, we must resume our work on the CSME, for this is not merely an economic agenda. It is a vision of unity and opportunity for small states who know that we can achieve so much more together than we do so individually,” Mottley stated.

Mottley’s remarks came amid growing concerns over the region’s vulnerability to external shocks, including the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, the ongoing political crisis in Haiti, and global conflicts affecting trade and development. She called for urgent reforms to the international financial system, championing the Bridgetown Initiative—a framework aimed at easing financial constraints for vulnerable nations—and advocated for the adoption of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to ensure better access to development resources.

“The Caribbean must not only weather these storms, but we must lead in crafting solutions for a changing world,” she declared, underscoring the need for food and nutritional security through the Vision 25 by 2025 agenda, which aims to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025.

On regional security, Mottley highlighted the importance of addressing crime as a public health issue through the George Bridge Declaration, noting that it is critical to ensuring peace in the region. “This is absolutely critical for the majority of our people who simply want to ensure that the zone of peace that we aspire to as a region for the Caribbean is a lived reality,” she said.

Another major announcement was that Barbados will host the 15th edition of CARIFESTA, the Caribbean Festival of Arts, from August 22-31, 2025. CARIFESTA, which is held every two to three years, showcases the region’s rich cultural heritage. Mottley described the event as an opportunity to “build resilience in our region, spiritually and psychologically.”

In a bold call for reparatory justice and greater collaboration with the African Union, Mottley underscored the moral obligation to support development in Africa. “The spectacle of 600 million Africans without electricity in an age of AI is in no way morally acceptable to us as a community,” she said, stressing the need for solidarity with African nations as part of CARICOM’s long-term goals.

Mottley also placed a strong emphasis on embracing digital innovation and green energy. She urged the region to adopt emerging technologies responsibly, while equipping future generations with the skills needed to lead in the evolving global landscape. “From green energy to artificial intelligence, we must lead with alacrity as innovators, not blindly but responsibly, equipping our young people with the tools to drive change,” she said.

As CARICOM continues its work under her leadership, Mottley’s 2025 agenda serves as a call to action for regional unity, sustainable development, and enhanced global engagement in a world that is increasingly interconnected yet fraught with challenges.

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