Minister Ramson Jr. urges Caribbean collaboration as CANOC heads meet in Guyana

Over the weekend, Guyana hosted the Caribbean’s most significant sport leadership summit as the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) convened its XIII Annual Workshop and XXIII General Assembly at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

The gathering drew over 100 delegates from 28 nations and featured a powerful assembly of global sport administrators, underscoring the regional focus on modernising governance.

The two-day workshop was opened with a strong endorsement from the host nation.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. extended a welcome, stressing the value of regional synergy.

“When the Caribbean collaborates, we accelerate,” Minister Ramson Jr. stated. “Hosting CANOC here in Georgetown is about building capacity, trust, and a shared future for sport.”

The Minister praised CANOC’s mission to strengthen governance and capacity, calling the event a “significant opportunity” for nations to exchange expertise and accelerate shared development goals.

The summit’s central theme is “Charting the Future of Authentic Caribbean Sport,” and discussions will concentrate on collaboration, good governance, and sustainable development.

Day One focused heavily on the institutional frameworks necessary for future success, including a session on the CANOC/UWI MOU to map a roadmap for sport education, and legal discussions on CANOC Incorporation led by Sandra Osborne, SCM, SC. A presentation on the CANOC/Deloitte Partnership also explored financial governance and sustainability standards.

This high-level attendance signals a coordinated effort to streamline regional pathways.

The summit follows a preparatory Olympic Solidarity Financial Management Workshop, reinforcing the primary mandate for greater financial transparency and accountability across Caribbean National Olympic Committees.

The workshop CANOC Annual General Assembly on Sunday also defined CANOC’s strategy for the upcoming Olympic cycle.