Heads of State Gather in Jamaica This Weekend for Caribbean Community Conference

CARICOM Chair and Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding to Lead Trade and Development Discussions

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, July 4, 2010 - Leaders from around the Caribbean region began a series of high level
meetings today as the 31st annual meeting of CARICOM kicks off in Montego
Bay, Jamaica. Heads of Government from CARICOM states and Associate Member
states, other delegates and specially invited guests are attending the four
day conference. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the
Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza
and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique
Strauss Khan will also attend.

The leaders will address both regional and broader issues. Discussions
will cover trade and development including the CARIFORUM/EU Economic
Partnership Agreement, and the global challenges related to economic recovery
and how to best facilitate the transition from stabilization to
transformation. Fallout from the global recession, which has had a profound
impact on the region, both economically and from the increasing threat of
organized crime. CARICOM Chair and Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding has
urged a shared commitment to tackling these issues.

There will also be a discussion on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico
and the implications for and impact on the Region. With failed efforts to
stem the flow of oil, there are concerns that countries of the Caribbean will
be affected.

Also on CARICOM's agenda for this week are the recovery and development
of Haiti in the wake of that country's devastating earthquake. The CARICOM
Heads of Government will also consider other subject matters under broad
themes including Economic and Financial Issues; Matters related to External
Trade; Human and Social Development; Critical Issues in the Development of
the Community; Strengthening of the Community; and Information and
Communication Technologies for development.

Photos from the conference will be available at www.opm.gov.jm and
on the Jamaica House Facebook Page. Streaming video will be available at
www.CARICOM.org.

Jessica Ross, mobile +1-876-818-3491, alt. +1-703-994-9731, jessicaberkross at me.com; of Communications — Office Prime Minister — Jamaica, +1-876-926-0244, +1-876-560-0707