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 Ambassadors, Delegates, Staff and Friends of CARICOM gathered in the Sputnik Area of the United Nations Headquarters on Monday July 1, 2019, for a Caribbean style Reception in celebration of CARICOM Day.  This was a commendable initiative undertaken by CARICOM Member States to collectively celebrate CARICOM Day at the United Nations.

CARICOM Member States pulled out all the stops to provide guests with a taste of their nation’s finest rum, as well as some of their favorite delicacies and traditional foods. From roti, green bananas and goat water to Johnny cake, conch chowder and chocolate, there was an abundance of food choices for all in attendance. St. Kitts and Nevis served up an array of locally made rum and delighted the palates of the guests with delicious goat water and saltfish cakes. In fact, several guests returned for seconds and gladly packed cups of goat water to go.

Brief welcome remarks were delivered by Ambassador Rudolph Michael Ten-Pow while remarks were given by Chef De Cabernet Ms. Yanerit Morgan-Sotomayor on behalf of the President of the General Assembly, Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces. Ms. Morgan-Sotomayor also congratulated the Ambassadors and their respective teams for ensuring that CARICOM’s might on the world stage is realized. Video highlights of each CARICOM Member State played during the presentation while live entertainment was provided by two high energy female violinists. A youthful male steel pan player enlivened the audience with mellow island tunes.

The Secretary General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque of Dominica, addressed the audience via a video message expressing his deep appreciation and hope for CARICOM. Special commendation was rendered to Ambassador Rhonda King of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for her lead in her nation’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nation’s Security Council. A win for one CARICOM Member State is indeed a win for all. 

Chatter about world cup cricket made for good conversation after the formalities of the reception ended and all in attendance left with much hope for the future of CARICOM at the United Nations. A rum tasting contest also formed part of the lively reception.

CARICOM Day is a common holiday for some countries of the Caribbean Community. Guyana annually celebrates this holiday on the first Monday in July. The Caribbean Community was established on July 4, 1973 with a view to coordinate economic policies and development planning in the less-developed member countries. St. Kitts and Nevis joined CARICOM on July 24, 1974.