Holness: CARICOM speaking with one voice on climate change, food security
Published:Monday | July 14, 2025 | 12:05 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, the chairman of CARICOM, says the region is moving with renewed urgency to address climate resilience and food security, two of the most pressing challenges facing small island developing states, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, this November.
“In November 2025, all roads will lead to Belém, Brazil, for the UN Climate Change Conference, that is COP30. As small states, we continue to have a vested interest in building climate resilience,” said Holness, while speaking at the close of the just-concluded 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
Holness said CARICOM has endorsed a revised regional climate resilience framework for the period 2025 to 2030, along with updated food and nutrition security priorities, as the region aims to “speak with one voice” on global issues.
“We approved our regional climate priorities and revised framework for building climate resilience 2025–2030, ensuring that the Caribbean speaks with one voice on climate financing and adaptation, on food and nutrition security,” said Holness.
There are clear indications that food security remains a complex and urgent challenge in the region as, according to the latest data from CARICOM and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), most member states import more than 60 per cent of their food.
Jamaica, while making strides through agro-investments and youth-focused farming initiatives, still imports over US$1 billion in food annually, including staples, such as wheat, rice, and dairy.
KEY ELEMENT
“This continues to be a key element of our agenda as we seek to reduce the region’s food import bill through the transformation of our agricultural sector,” explained Holness.
To that end, the Vision 25 by 2025 initiative, which seeks to reduce regional food imports by 25 per cent, has now been extended until 2030.
“As we agreed in February, to extend the Vision 25 by 2025 initiative until 2030, we used this meeting to endorse the food security formulation and design plan and related mechanisms,” added Holness.
Among CARICOM countries, Guyana stands out as, with fertile lands and aggressive agricultural policy, it is the only country in the region that is currently food self-sufficient.
“I wish to thank President [Irfaan] Ali of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, who has been expertly leading the region’s effort under this portfolio,” said Holness. “As you may have heard, a recent report highlighted Guyana as probably the only country in the world which has the capacity to feed itself. Guyana is indeed food self-sufficient.”
With the other CARICOM states in varying stages of food security development, Holness said CARICOM’s collective endorsement of the food security action plan reflects “a turning point” for the region, especially as it confronts rising global food prices, supply chain disruptions, and climate-induced agricultural threats.
CARICOM leaders will present a unified front at COP30, advocating for increased climate financing, support for adaptation in agriculture, and fair-trade policies that benefit developing nations.
STAGES OF FOOD SECURITY DEVELOPMENT IN SELECT CARICOM STATES
- Trinidad and Tobago continues to rely heavily on food imports and has launched climate-smart farming initiatives to boost local production.
- Barbados, through its ‘Grow More, Buy Bajan’ campaign, has made modest gains in domestic food production.
- St Lucia, Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda are focusing on backyard farming and school feeding programmes to increase local resilience.
- Haiti, despite its fertile land, remains food insecure due to instability and underinvestment, while The Bahamas, challenged by geographic fragmentation, imports over 90 per cent of its food.