The Virgin Islands is an Associate Member of CARICOM. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is attending the 51st Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM in Saint Lucia from July 5 to 9, 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The 51st Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM is being held in Saint Lucia from July 5 to 9, 2026, under the theme ‘CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World'. Photo: CARICOM

Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Honourable Julian is Acting Premier from July 5 to 9, 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The meeting, which is being held under the theme ‘CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World', began on Sunday, July 5, 2026 and will end on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The Virgin Islands (VI) is an Associate Member of CARICOM; Premier Wheatley previously indicated that permission from the United Kingdom has been sought to pursue full membership. 

The 51st Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM is also being held under the chairmanship of the Hon Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, who assumed duties as Chair on July 1.

In his remarks during the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pierre committed to working alongside his fellow Heads of Government to build a stronger, safer, fairer, and more united region for present and future generations. "History may forgive us for disagreement; it may even forgive us for delay, but it will not forgive us for failing to create a stronger, safer, fairer, and more united Caribbean Community," he said. 

Agenda

From today, Monday, July 6, to Wednesday, July 8, the Heads of Government will participate in business sessions and deliberate issues critical to the Region’s agenda.

A Closing Press Conference will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Before the opening of the Meeting, amateur and professional athletes from member states gathered in Saint Lucia for the 19th CARICOM Road Run/Walk on Saturday, July 4, 2026, coinciding with CARICOM Day.

“This health and wellness activity involving professional and amateur athletes in the Region helps to underscore the positive influence of sport and physical education on quality of life,” CARICOM said. 

Hon Fraser is Acting Premier 

In Premier Wheatley’s absence, Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3), was appointed to carry out the duties of Premier for the period Sunday, July 5, to Thursday, July 9. 

Premier Wheatley is scheduled to return to the Virgin Islands on Thursday, July 9. 

Deputy Premier Fraser’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.”