CARICOM, Guyana, 28 Oct. 2020 - COVID-19 and its impact on the Caribbean Community as well as the establishment of an associater institution, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization and regional security, will be among matters for consideration by CARICOM Heads of Government when they meet via video-conference on Thursday, 29 October 2020. 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.Thursday’s Meeting which will be held under the chairmanship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. will also discuss other major concerns including the the European Union's blacklisting of several CARICOM member statesCARICOM earlier this month issued a Statement condemning the “ongoing unilateral, arbitrary and non-transparent blacklisting strategy employed by the European Union (EU) against CARICOM Member States”.The Statement noted that along with the unprecedented task of staging a post-COVID-19 economic recovery, the CARICOM States now have the added burden of being subjected to the EU’s discriminatory tactics disguised as tax policy and governance.The Heads will have an exchange of views with a Special Guest, the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres.Thursday’s Meeting will be held under the chairmanship of current Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. -30-
