President in Barbados for Independence, Republic anniversary celebrations

President Irfaan Ali of Guyana recently joined the people of Barbados to mark the island’s 58th Independence Anniversary and third Republic Anniversary; the celebrations were also attended by a US bipartisan Congressional delegation, led by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The celebrations also honoured the centenary of Shirley Chisholm’s birth; Chisolm, an American politician, was born to a Guyanese father and Barbadian mother, and became the first Black woman to be elected to the United States congress and the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

According to Prime Minister Motley, the commemorations provided a platform for discussions on critical regional issues.

Mottley reflected on the milestone events and highlighted engagements with Caribbean leaders and U.S. lawmakers.

Alongside President Ali, the events included Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago and Camillo Gonsalves, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ finance minister, as they discussed a wide array of challenges and opportunities for the region.

“These celebrations were more than just a reflection of our history. We took time to engage with CARICOM colleagues President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Rowley, and Minister Camillo Gonsalves, as well as members of the U.S. Congress on a bipartisan basis, to discuss matters of mutual interest,” Mottley said.

Among the issues raised were regional security, with leaders reaffirming the Caribbean’s commitment to being a Zone of Peace. They also tackled the escalating climate crisis, emphasising its disproportionate impact on small island states.

Mottley stressed the importance of financial frameworks that account for the region’s vulnerability. Access to concessional funding must be based on vulnerability and not simply on GDP per capita,” she said, reiterating previous calls for a new development and investment programme, ehanced market access and near-shoring.

“We look forward to working together in the interest of strengthening our resilience and opportunities for inclusive growth for all of our citizens,” Mottley concluded.