Barbados to Host CARIFESTA XV: PM Mia Mottley Unveils 2025 Vision as New CARICOM Chair
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, in her inaugural address as Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), announced that Barbados will host CARIFESTA XV from August 22-31, 2025. She described the regional arts festival as a cornerstone of Caribbean culture and called on all Caribbean people to participate.
“CARIFESTA XV will be a celebration of who we are—our creativity, resilience, and unity,” Mottley declared. “Food, fashion, music, dance, art, and Caribbean conversation—this will be an event not to miss.”
Mottley highlighted CARIFESTA as a platform for showcasing the Caribbean’s ingenuity and originality while fostering regional unity. “Let us gather and feed our souls and nurture our spirit as Caribbean people,” she urged, extending an invitation to all in the region and diaspora to attend.
The festival announcement was a highlight of Mottley’s New Year’s address, which also outlined her vision for CARICOM under her leadership. She emphasized the importance of advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), bolstering food security through the “Vision 25 by 2025” initiative, and championing climate resilience and global financial reforms.
Mottley also addressed the region’s vulnerabilities, referencing the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024. She called for strengthened disaster preparedness and sustainable development.
Beyond regional issues, Mottley reaffirmed CARICOM’s advocacy for global justice, including reparatory justice for the descendants of enslaved Africans and stronger collaboration with the African Union.
As the Caribbean navigates a digital and sustainable future, Mottley emphasized the critical role of culture in fostering resilience and unity. “In our unity lies our strength,” she said, underscoring the importance of CARIFESTA XV as a rallying point for the region.
CARIFESTA XV promises to be a landmark event, showcasing the Caribbean’s rich cultural heritage while inspiring collective action for a resilient and united future.
