CARICOM leaders will meet on Thursday to discuss the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the regional economies and general populations.

The leaders will meet via video-conference in a meeting led by CARICOM Chairman and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. 

A statement on CARICOM’s website stated: “This Forty-first Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government is expected to examine the health, financial and economic development implications  of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The discussions will follow the Special Emergency Meetings held by the Heads in May, August and September as part of their efforts to harmonise their responses to and policies on the multifaceted impact of COVID-19.”

Leaders will also discuss the growing concern of the region being blacklisted by bodies such as the European Union. 

CARICOM states: “Along with the unprecedented task of staging a post-COVID-19 economic recover, the CARICOM States now have the added burden of being subjected to the EU’s discriminatory tactics disguised as tax policy and governance.   The Meeting is also expected to address issues related to the regional private sector as well as regional security.”