Climate change, tourism, food security, education and artificial intelligence were among the wide-ranging topics tackled during a recent regional meeting where the Virgin Islands was represented by Deputy Premier Julian Fraser.
Mr. Fraser — who is also the minister of the environment, natural resources and climate change — travelled to Barbados on Feb. 20-21 for the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
At the conference, which was chaired by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Mr. Fraser reaffirmed the territory’s commitment to regional collaboration, according to government.
“Strengthening economic resilience, enhancing security, and embracing technological innovation are critical to the sustainable development of our region,” he said of the meeting. “In the face of global uncertainties, it is crucial that we continue fostering strategic partnerships and leveraging regional cooperation to create a more prosperous and secure future for the people of the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean.”
Other leaders
Besides his discussions with Caricom heads of government, Mr. Fraser participated in high-level talks with leaders including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and representatives from Canada, Saudi Arabia and various development finance institutions, according to government.
“These dialogues centred on regional security and stability, economic resilience, and strengthening international partnerships,” government stated in a press release. “Special attention was given to efforts to stabilise Haiti and the international pressures impacting the Caribbean.”
Meeting attendees also discussed crime, with a focus on human trafficking and the illicit trade of firearms and narcotics.
As part of those talks, they stressed the need for enhancing law enforcement cooperation across the region.
Additionally, conference attendees met with Silicon Valley investors to discuss opportunities for the Caribbean to harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, according to government.
These talks touched on AI’s potential to improve the region’s healthcare, including medical imaging, radiology and other diagnostics technologies.
Martinique
The conference also included Martinique’s provisional accession as an associate member of Caricom.
Mr. Fraser joined other regional leaders in congratulating Regional Council of Martinique President Serge Letchimy on the milestone, which has paved the way for closer collaboration between Martinique and other Caricom states.
Mr. Fraser also delivered an intervention on financial services and constitutional matters, according to government.
He was accompanied by Special Envoy Benito Wheatley, who serves as the VI’s Caricom ambassador.