The Rt. Honorable Owen Arthur, prime minister of Barbados, will be the keynote speaker for the plenary opening ceremony June 19 of the Conference on the Caribbean in Washington, D.C.

Prime Minister Arthur, who has the lead responsibility for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), indicates that his presentation will outline current policy positions from a regional perspective. The CARICOM secretariat indicates that United States Commerce Secretary Mr. Carlos Gutierrez will speak on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Organizers of the conference, Washington-based CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors, have indicated that the heads of the World Bank, the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) and Organization of American States (OAS) will also make presentations.

“The Conference opens with a discussion on CARICOM development in the 21st Century with participation from CARICOM policy-makers, the CARICOM Secretariat, regional institutions, the U.S. Administration, leaders from the International Financial Institutions, the Organization of American States as well as participants who have registered for the various fora,” said representatives of the CARICOM secretariat adding that Secretary-General of CARICOM HE Edwin Carrington will chair the session.

The “External Environment” is the title of the second session, which critically examines trade and finance issues. “These include opportunities and challenges faced by member states to leverage the global economy for growth and poverty reduction; the role of various forms of international trade arrangements in supporting Caribbean integration into the global economy as well as the role of regional integration in promoting competitiveness and global integration” according to representatives of the CARICOM secretariat.

The Chairman of CARICOM the Honorable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will deliver the keynote address after lunch on the opening day. Two concurrent sessions will follow at separate venues: a joint “Expert and Private Sector Forum” to discuss international competitiveness in the Caribbean on issues such as the macro-economic challenges to Caribbean competitiveness and business climate challenges and another, the Diaspora Forum.

The opening session of the Diaspora Forum will examine the challenges and opportunities of the Diaspora communities; the effect of financial resources of the Diaspora on development; harnessing the knowledge, skills and professional networks of the Diaspora in addressing development challenges and investment opportunities in the region and increasing cooperation and coordination between the Caribbean Diaspora in the United States.

The first day of the Conference concludes with a reception hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, followed by a performance at the Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center.
Opening sessions will be held at the Preston Auditorium of the World Bank, meetings of the “Experts’ Forum” continues at this same venue, meetings of the “Diaspora Forum” continues at the Organization of American States, and meetings of the “Private Sector Forum” continues at the Inter American Bank. A Joint “Wrap-up” session and closing ceremony will be held at the Organization of American States, Hall of the Americas. At the end of days one and two, the Diaspora will have the opportunity of meeting CARICOM Heads.