The Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, and the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, are currently leading a Bermuda delegation to the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
The meeting takes place from 5 to 8 July 2026, and is being convened under the chairmanship of the Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, who assumed the rotating CARICOM chairmanship on 1 July.
This annual gathering brings together regional leaders, under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World”, to discuss key issues affecting the Caribbean Community and its future development.
And this week’s Conference of Heads of Government will provide Bermuda’s delegation with the opportunity to engage directly with regional leaders and senior CARICOM officials, particularly as it relates to Bermuda's proposed full membership in CARICOM.
It should be noted that as Bermuda continues to explore its full membership, technical discussions remain ongoing.
Government stressed that no decisions regarding the proposed White Paper have been made, and insights gained through this engagement with regional leaders will help inform the Government's ongoing consultation process.
Today, Premier Burt said, “The CARICOM Heads of Government Conference provides an important opportunity for Bermuda to engage with regional leaders on the issues shaping the future of the Caribbean community. Bermuda values its longstanding relationship with CARICOM, and we look forward to contributing to the conversations that will help shape the Region's future.”
Minister Lightbourne added, “Regional cooperation has never been more important, and Bermuda welcomes the opportunity to work alongside Caribbean leaders to advance solutions to the challenges and opportunities we share.
“Against the backdrop of Bermuda’s consultative efforts, our participation in the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting will provide additional insights and perspectives from Member States and the Secretariat, allowing us to incorporate critical regional developments and policy considerations into our analysis. Any findings put before the public will be evidence-based, balanced and informed by both local feedback and regional realities.”
The Government will continue to keep the public informed as work progresses on the White Paper.
