GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders will begin their 46th summit in Guyana on Sunday hoping to further advance a number of issues ranging from the ongoing socio-economic and political situation in Haiti to advancing the Caricom agri-food systems agenda, while prioritising regional food and nutrition security

Prior to the ceremonial opening on Sunday,  the regional leaders met with the Eminent Person Group (EPG) headed by former St Lucia prime minister Dr Kenny Anthony regarding the situation in Haiti.

Following their last visit to Haiti last December, the EPG team (which also includes former Jamaica prime minister Bruce Golding and former Bahamas prime minister Perry Christie) had indicated that consensus had been reached on several aspects of the draft framework agreement intended to provide a transitional governance arrangement to take the troubled French-speaking Caricom country to free and fair elections.

The EPG members had held discussions with the various stakeholders with a view to finding a political compromise aimed at stabilising the country and promoting a democratic transition.

In its statement issued following their latest visit, the EPG said the negotiations, attended by representatives of a broad cross section of political and civil society Stakeholders, including Prime Minister Ariel Henry, “provided an opportunity for narrowing of differences on the details of the transitional governance arrangement.”

“The draft framework agreement that formed the basis of the negotiations was prepared by the EPG and reflected the contributions of all the Stakeholders over more than five months of consultations.

“The stakeholders achieved consensus on several aspects of the draft framework and have agreed to continue discussions between themselves in the absence of the EPG on the key areas of the balance of power and representation within the proposed transitional arrangements,” the statement said.

When the summit formally gets underway here on Monday, the situation in Haiti will be among the opening agenda items with the EPG as well as Jamaica addressing the meeting.

In addition, representatives from Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Nations, will also be allowed to address the summit.

On Monday, the regional leaders will also receive an update from the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the 15-member regional integration movement.

The report on the work of the Reconstituted Intergovernmental Task Force (IGTF) with special emphasis on the implementation of the decision of the regional leaders to work towards free movement of all CARICOM nationals will be tabled.

Developments in regional transportation with an update on the status of work on the “Caricom Maritime Shipping Solution”, climate change and climate financing as well as the an update on the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from May 27-30 are also included on the agenda for Monday.