The Minister of Home Affairs has spoken on strengthening relationships in the Caribbean as the Government works to determine if Bermuda will commit to full Caricom membership.

Alexa Lightbourne joined David Burt, the Premier, and Christopher Famous, MP, as part of Bermuda's delegation to the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, which concluded on Friday in St Kitts & Nevis.

Ms Lightbourne said: “Our region is strongest when we act with clarity, collaboration and shared purpose.

“Caricom provides a platform for small island states to co-ordinate our response to global economic and geopolitical shifts, and to advocate collectively for the interests of our people.”

In addition to bilateral meetings with heads of Caribbean Community member countries, Ms Lightbourne attended a reception hosted by Global Brands Group in partnership with Republic Bank. During the reception, Caricom chairman Terrance Drew, the Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis, spoke of the importance of continued collaboration and mutual support between the greater Caribbean islands.

Bermuda's delegation hosted a meet-and-greet with members of the Bermudian diaspora in St Kitts & Nevis. Attendees were able to engage with Mr Burt, and reflect on the historical and familial connections between Bermuda and the islands.

Ms Lightbourne said continued engagement with Caricom supported dialogue regarding Bermuda's evolving relationship with the regional body.

She added: “Any future pathway will, of course, be guided by what best advances Bermuda's economic resilience and long-term stability.”

Mr Famous participated in the Caricom Committee of Ambassadors meeting on Thursday. The committee, chaired by Ambassador Esmond Reid of Jamaica, advanced work supporting the Review of Community Institutions and agreed to establish a working group to examine the conference's rules of procedure.

The conference, hosted by Dr Drew, received significant international attention.

Among those addressing the gathering were Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy; Dr George Elombi, the president and chairman of the Board of Afreximbank; and Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State.