GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICCO) grouping, Dr. Carla Barnett, says Jamaica, which is observing its 63rd anniversary of political independence from Britain, has much to celebrate, having made great strides in its economic and social development.
In a message marking the occasion, Barnett said that the country has also demonstrated exemplary leadership both regionally and internationally, and has blazed a cultural footprint on the global stage, through music, sports, art, cuisine, and other areas of endeavour.
She told Prime Minister Andrew Holness that Jamaica, as a founding member of CARICOM, continues to play a key role in the regional integration process.
“As current Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government, Jamaica is in good stead to drive momentum towards achieving many of the Community’s objectives,” she said, adding that CARICOM has greatly benefitted also from Jamaica’s coordinating role on behalf of CARICOM for the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, and leadership on External Trade Negotiations, in keeping with your assigned role in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet.
”I look forward to Jamaica’s leadership as the Community seeks to strategically and effectively navigate evolving global dynamics, and preserve the interests of our citizens, who remain the key Stakeholders in the regional integration process,” she added.
Meanwhile, Jamaicans will celebrate the occasion on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Kingston with the annual Grand Gala involving over 2,500 participants.
The event is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), and the Minister, Olivia Grange, said that the participants will be sending a “compelling and patriotic message being conveyed through their performances.
The show will also feature a special highlight section on the inscription of Port Royal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Grange said segments of the Grand Gala will also celebrate reggae music, most notably with the presentation of this year’s Reggae Icon award recipients.
Meantime, businessman and JMMB Group chief executive officer Keith Duncan, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, and Jamaica Stock Exchange managing director, Dr Marlene Street Forrest, have been appointed members of the Order of Jamaica (OJ) on this year’s national honours and awards list.
The trio is among 141 Jamaicans appointed to the Orders of the Societies of Honour and awarded badges of honour, effective August 6, 2025. They will be presented with their insignias on National Heroes’ Day, October 20.
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