Prime Minister Drew To Advocate For Strategic Priorities At CARICOM Heads Conference
Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2025 (PMO)– Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, is actively engaged in the Forty-Eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which commenced today, Feb 20th, 2025, in Barbados. Two days of critical discussions lie ahead, with regional leaders tackling the most pressing issues affecting the Caribbean.
Going into the meeting, Prime Minister Drew has since identified five key areas of focus for his government and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis: Health and Human Development, Security, Energy, the Global Sustainable Islands Summit, and the ’25 by 2025’ initiative.
As a medical doctor and the head of government, Prime Minister Drew continues to champion improvements in healthcare and human development as essential components of national progress. With non-communicable diseases remaining a significant concern across the Caribbean, he sees this meeting as an opportunity to align efforts with CARICOM’s broader objectives to enhance healthcare systems, improve access to quality medical services, and strengthen the region’s ability to respond to emerging health threats. His advocacy reflects ongoing initiatives in St. Kitts and Nevis to expand medical services, increase public health awareness, and ensure that citizens receive the highest standard of care.
Security remains a major priority for Prime Minister Drew as regional threats such as organized crime, illicit trafficking, and cyber-related risks continue to evolve. Recognizing the interconnected nature of security across CARICOM states, he strongly supports a unified approach to intelligence sharing, border protection, and crime reduction strategies. His engagement in these discussions aligns with his administration’s ongoing efforts to modernize national security infrastructure, invest in law enforcement training, and implement policies that promote public safety and stability in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Prime Minister is also deeply committed to energy security and sustainability, a crucial pillar of economic development. As St. Kitts and Nevis advance its transition to renewable energy through geothermal and solar projects, the CARICOM meeting presents an opportunity to collaborate with regional partners on sustainable energy solutions. The discussions will focus on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, attracting investment in green technology, and ensuring that small island developing states (SIDS) lead the way in climate-friendly energy policies. This aligns with the government’s vision to make St. Kitts and Nevis a model for renewable energy innovation within the Caribbean.
A critical mention for this year is the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS), which will be hosted by St. Kitts and Nevis this year May. GSIS is a platform for addressing the vulnerabilities of small island states in the face of climate change. With rising sea levels, unpredictable weather patterns, and economic vulnerabilities placing Caribbean nations at risk, Prime Minister Drew is pushing for stronger global partnerships, increased climate financing, and the implementation of resilient infrastructure to safeguard livelihoods. His active participation in these discussions underscores St. Kitts and Nevis’ firm stance on climate advocacy and sustainable development.
Finally, the ’25 by 2025’ initiative, which seeks to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 percent within the next year, is another major focus for Prime Minister Drew. With food security becoming an increasing concern, he remains committed to expanding agricultural production, investing in local agribusiness, and supporting regional self-sufficiency. St. Kitts and Nevis has already taken bold steps in promoting priority crops, strengthening farmers’ cooperatives, and enhancing food sustainability, and the Prime Minister sees this initiative as an opportunity to drive further progress.
As CARICOM leaders engage in discussions over the coming days, Prime Minister Drew remains steadfast in ensuring that the interests of St. Kitts and Nevis are well-represented on the regional agenda. His active involvement reflects his government’s dedication to securing long-term economic stability, strengthening national and regional security, and positioning St. Kitts and Nevis as a leader in sustainable development.
The outcomes of these high-level talks will play a vital role in shaping policies that advance regional cooperation, address shared challenges, and build a stronger, more resilient Caribbean.