4 July 2011: During the 32nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), participants discussed priority issues for the Community, including human and social development issues such as climate change, sustainable development, health, external trade and security issues.

On climate change, the Heads of Government agreed to the establishment of a team of experts to draft a regional plan of action to guide regional negotiators who will participate in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC in Durban, South Africa, at the end of 2011. They further requested that the postponed Third Joint Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development and the Council for Trade and Economic Development should take place as soon as possible, in order to facilitate work on the regional plan of action, as well as on the Implementation Plan for the Regional Climate Change Strategic Framework.

On sustainable development, the Heads of Government, recognizing the importance of the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), urged that the Community continue its preparations and consolidate a CARICOM position within the framework of the small island developing States (SIDS) platform.

The meeting was held at Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis, from 30 June-4 July 2011. [CARICOM Press Release] [Meeting Webpage]