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CARICOM Heads of Government Unite in Grenada to address Regional Challenges

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CARICOM - Diaspora Watch Newspaper

The 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in St. George’s, Grenada, from July 28-30, 2024.  The meeting brought together leaders from across the region to address pressing issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and regional security.  Heads of Government emphasized the urgent need for high-level political advocacy to address climate change.

They agreed to deliver a unified statement at COP29 and convene a Donor’s Conference to address the Region’s vulnerability to climate change. The Conference agreed to establish a CARICOM Digital Skills Training and Learning Network and launch the Digi-Smart CARICOM Digital Skills Initiative in 2024.  This aims to enhance regional digital resilience and promote economic growth. Heads of Government noted improvements in airlift to, from, and within the Region, including the operationalization of LIAT 2020.

They agreed to host a Regional Symposium on Air Transport in Barbados by the first quarter of 2025. The Conference expressed concern about high levels of crime and violence, fueled by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and social structure deterioration. They committed to ongoing urgent action to protect citizens and preserve public interest.  The Partnership aims to address pressing health challenges, including health-related issues of the climate crisis.

Read also : CARICOM Ministers Boost Food Security & Climate Action at Caribbean Week of Agriculture

Member States are invited to partner with HeDPAC to leverage sustainable health development and capacity building. Heads of Government received updates on the Belize-Guatemala and Guyana-Venezuela border issues. They called for peaceful resolution and respect for territorial integrity.  The Conference welcomed the report by the President of the newly established Transitional Presidential Council and recognized the appointment of a Prime Minister and new Cabinet. They expressed concern at the dire humanitarian situation and reiterated commitment to support Haiti.

Heads of Government registered concern at the growing humanitarian crisis in Cuba occasioned by the ongoing embargo issued by the United States of America. They issued a Statement of solidarity with Cuba. The Conference expressed appreciation to Dr. Joy St. John, outgoing Executive Director of CARPHA, and Assistant Secretary-General Economic Integration, Innovation, and Development, Mr. Joseph Cox.

Heads of Government accept-ed the invitation of Barbados to host the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference from February 20-21, 2025. This meeting demonstrated the commitment of CARICOM leaders to address regional challenges and promote sustainable development, economic growth, and social resilience.

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Politics

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Politics

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians and political actors to embrace peaceful politics and strictly adhere to the Electoral Act as the country prepares for another electoral cycle.

In his 2026 Easter message, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to decisively tackle terrorism and banditry through strengthened local initiatives and international partnerships.
Tinubu acknowledged the nation’s lingering security challenges, while commending the efforts of the Armed Forces. He assured citizens that his government was deploying adequate resources and forging strategic alliances with foreign partners to address the threats.

He also referenced his recent visit to Jos, where he commiserated with victims of violence and reassured residents of improved security across the country. The President stressed the importance of unity and collective responsibility, noting that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of fear and instability. He said, “No nation can thrive where fear prevails, and no progress can be sustained
without peace,” urging Nigerians to support lawful efforts and reject forces threatening the nation’s stability.

On the economy, Tinubu defended ongoing reforms, admitting their short-term impact on citizens but insisting they were necessary for long-term growth and prosperity. He expressed optimism that key economic indicators showed Nigeria was on the right path, describing the current phase as a transition
towards a more stable and prosperous future.

Tinubu further urged political stakeholders to act with maturity and responsibility, adding that democracy thrives in an environment defined by restraint, accountability, and informed participation.
The President, therefore, wished Nigerians a Happy Easter, thanked them for their continued support, and pledged his administration’s commitment to justify the confidence reposed in it.

#politics #Tinubu #reforms #terrorism #electoralact

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CARICOM Scribe Barnett to Speak at Caribbean Energy Week

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CARICOM Scribe Barnett to Speak at Caribbean Energy Week

 

The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Carla Barnett, is set to participate in the 2026 edition of Caribbean Energy Week scheduled to hold in Paramaribo, Suriname.

 

Barnett is expected to join heads of government, ministers responsible for energy and environment, as well as industry leaders at the high-level forum taking place from March 30 to April 1. She will deliver remarks on the opening day of the event.

 

Organisers of Caribbean Energy Week 2026 said the forum would bring together stakeholders across hydrocarbons, renewable power, mining and carbon credits to showcase investment-ready projects and deepen regional collaboration.

 

They noted that the event would serve as a platform to forge strategic partnerships and accelerate investment flows into the Caribbean’s energy sector.

 

The organisers added that the multinational gathering is also designed to strengthen the region’s ongoing energy transition by harnessing synergies in logistics, technology and partnerships, including engagement with African stakeholders.

 

Caribbean Energy Week is spearheaded by Energy Capital Power in collaboration with other strategic partners.

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Melania Trump Rallies 45 Nations on AI-powered Education 

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Melania Trump Rallies 45 Nations on AI-powered Education 

 

By Boniface Ihiasota

 

In what officials described as a landmark diplomatic and technological engagement, the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, on Wednesday hosted First Spouses from 45 countries at the White House for a high-level global summit on artificial intelligence and education.

 

The event, exclusively covered by Diaspora Watch Newspaper’s Boniface Ihiasota, was held under the “Fostering the Future Together” initiative and is regarded as the largest international assembly ever convened by a US First Lady within the White House.

 

The summit followed a prior day of engagements, including a four-part working session and a technology expo hosted at the US State Department, where delegates examined evolving global frameworks for digital learning and innovation.

 

At the core of Wednesday’s summit were policy presentations from nine countries, including the United States, France, Poland, United Arab Emirates, and Morocco, detailing national strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into education systems and broader socio-economic planning.

 

In her keynote address, Mrs. Trump framed the summit as the beginning of a new international coalition aimed at empowering children through technology-driven education.

 

“We are fostering the future together,” she declared, urging participants to move beyond dialogue into actionable commitments, including regional collaborations, legislative frameworks to protect children, and expanded access to digital tools for underserved populations.

 

She outlined three defining pillars expected to shape the next generation globally: the application of artificial intelligence to personalise learning experiences, the emergence of humanoid educators as in-home academic support systems, and the strategic use of technology and education to drive economic growth, particularly in the United States.

 

A defining moment of the summit was the unveiling of “Figure3,” an American-made humanoid system, introduced as a symbolic and practical demonstration of the next phase of artificial intelligence deployment.

 

The presentation marked the first time a humanoid technology of its kind has been formally showcased to international leaders in a diplomatic setting at the White House.

 

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Trump emphasised a paradigm shift in the evolution of AI.

 

“The future of AI is ‘personified’ – it will be formed in the shape of humans. Very soon, artificial intelligence will move from our mobile phones to humanoids that deliver utility,” she said.

 

She explained that because human environments are inherently designed for people, humanoid systems would naturally integrate into everyday life, navigating and operating more effectively than traditional digital interfaces.

 

To illustrate this vision, she introduced a conceptual AI-powered humanoid educator named “Plato,” designed to bring centuries of human knowledge directly into homes.

 

According to her, “Plato” would provide instantaneous access to disciplines such as literature, science, philosophy, mathematics, history, and the arts, while offering a fully personalised learning experience tailored to each student’s pace, prior knowledge, and emotional state.

 

“Plato is always patient, always available,” she said, adding that such systems would significantly enhance students’ analytical abilities, critical thinking, and independent reasoning skills.

 

She further noted that the integration of AI in education could free up time for children to engage in social interactions, sports, and creative pursuits, thereby promoting a more holistic development model.

 

Despite her optimism, the First Lady cautioned against unregulated technological expansion, stressing that child safety must remain central to all innovation efforts.

 

“As discussed, we must balance our tech optimism with caution. The safety of our next generation is always paramount,” she said.

 

Mrs. Trump also used the platform to call for deeper collaboration between governments and the private sector, stressing the role of leading global technology companies such as Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Zoom, Adobe, Palantir, and X, which she described as “best-in-class companies” driving innovation globally.

 

She said meaningful progress would depend on a coordinated model in which private enterprise delivers innovation, governments provide scale, and capital markets finance the distribution of emerging technologies.

 

According to her, the “Fostering the Future Together” initiative is built on the premise that efficiencies derived from artificial intelligence will transform key sectors such as commerce, healthcare, and food security, ultimately lifting global economies.

 

Positioning the moment within a broader historical context, Mrs. Trump described the current era as “The Age of Imagination,” comparing it to transformative periods such as the Industrial Revolution, the advent of electricity, the race to the Moon, and the birth of the internet.

 

She warned that artificial intelligence could potentially reset the global order and rebalance power among nations, making it imperative for countries to equip younger generations with the skills required to thrive in an AI-driven world.

 

Focusing on the United States, she stressed the need to produce the most technologically fluent and highly educated generation, noting that such an outcome would secure long-term economic superiority, drive GDP growth, attract global investment, and consolidate control over intellectual property.

 

“Our coalition can make this vision real by supporting concrete initiatives that equip young people with the skills they need,” she said.

 

She therefore called on global leaders to inspire innovation across sectors, including media, fashion, healthcare, and defence, urging them to harness artificial intelligence to build new industries and optimise production systems.

 

“Let’s foster the future together,” she emphasized.

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