Prime Minister Dean Barrow is heading a delegation to the 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government which opened on Monday, March 11, at Buccament Bay Resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Barrow is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington; his CEO Audrey Wallace and Foreign Affairs CEO Alexis Rosado.

High on the agenda of the Inter-Sessional meeting are human resource development in CARICOM, information and communications technology for development, economic growth and sustainable development, and climate change.

Taking tough decisions and fulfilling regional obligations were two areas that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, the host Prime Minister and CARICOM chairman, and immediate past chairman – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago, identified as essential for solidifying integration and moving the Community forward.

They both focused at the outset of the talks on the strategic direction of the Community and issues that had to be tackled to ensure progress.

The Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy is also on the agenda, and at least 8 Caribbean leaders need to endorse the policy for it to take effect in the region.

The Caribbean leaders are also discussing the use of marijuana for medical purposes and the issue of reparations and native genocide.

They have received preliminary reports from a Commission on the Economy and a transportation commission.