GUYANA / USA – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will participate in a series of high-level meetings, bilateral engagements, side events and the General Debate during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for 20-29 September 2025, in New York.
The CARICOM Secretariat’s delegation, led by secretary-general Dr Carla Barnett and including assistant secretary-general for foreign and community relations, Elizabeth Solomon, will advance the region’s priorities on climate action, sustainable development, peacebuilding, and global health, while reinforcing its commitment to multilateral diplomacy.
Heads of government will participate in the general debate from 23-27 September, with Suriname leading the charge for the Community in the General Assembly Hall.
On 22 September, CARICOM will also participate in the high-level meeting convened by the president of the UNGA to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, the high-level event on the Multilateral Support System (MSS) hosted by Kenyan president William Ruto.
Secretary-General Dr Barnett will play a key role in several events, including an UNCTAD-CARICOM MoU signing, a High-level Meeting on Haiti; the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy under the theme “Implementing commitments on financing development,” and high-level engagements focused on climate mobility champions, non-communicable diseases, and mental health.
CARICOM’s leadership on Haiti will be further highlighted during a roundtable discussion titled “Making the Case for Haiti” on 22 September, where ASG Solomon is expected to lead CARICOM’s interventions.
ASG Solomon will represent CARICOM at several other events, including the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards.
On the bilateral and multilateral fronts, CARICOM foreign ministers will participate in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, engage with their Nordic counterparts from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, and attend the EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers Meeting.
They will also convene the 24th special meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on 22 September. The meeting “is a very important opportunity” for foreign ministers to deliberate on key foreign policy matters, and upcoming international engagements, ahead of high-level week, according to ASG Solomon in an interview ahead of the UNGA.
Click here for the full interview.
The 80th UNGA, being held under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” comes at a pivotal moment to renew global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and shared action for people and planet, according to the United Nations.