Finish of 12 months Message from the Secretary-Common of the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) Dr Carla N. Barnett
This has been a landmark 12 months for the Caribbean Group (CARICOM), as we marked the fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the unique Treaty of Chaguaramas with festivities throughout the Area. The event allowed us to mirror on our accomplishments, and recommit to the imaginative and prescient of the CARICOM’s founders.
The previous 50 years have taught us that with collective motion we are able to obtain considerably extra. With one voice we decried the devastating wars which have precipitated humanitarian crises and signalled our help for the adherence to the elemental rules of worldwide regulation, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, most just lately within the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. We continued our strident advocacy for worldwide help to assist return our sister Member State, Haiti, to peace and stability, and for help to the Warfare on Weapons which is negatively impacting safety throughout our Area.
CARICOM Member States made progress on programmes and insurance policies agreed by Heads of Authorities, to positively influence the lives of the individuals of our Area. We made commendable progress on the 25% by 2025 initiative to cut back the Area’s meals import invoice, thereby taking us a step additional in direction of the attainment of meals safety in our Area. Purposeful engagements with regional and worldwide companions, and boards akin to our flagship occasion, the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, allowed for significant interplay with the non-public sector and different stakeholders.
Our advocacy for decisive motion to mitigate the hostile results of local weather change continued all year long, together with at COP28 the place we emphasised the vulnerabilities of our Area, the necessity to operationalise the Loss and Harm Fund, and the particular case for acknowledgement of the intense vulnerability of Small Island Creating States (SIDS) and international locations with low-lying coastal communities who don’t contribute considerably to the reason for local weather change however bear the best burden.
We welcome the decision to Events for a simply transition, to renewable power and lowered methane emissions, however this doesn’t go far sufficient. The transition have to be wider and it requires a lot higher urgency of motion by the foremost emitters with a purpose to maintain 1.5 alive. Peaking emissions earlier than 2025 and timelines for elimination of fossil gas subsidies, beginning now, are wanted to safeguard the 1.5 international warming temperature restrict.
We continued to advance worldwide partnerships and mechanisms to guard and promote the Area’s socio-economic pursuits. Deliberate efforts have been made, akin to via the regional Youth Discussion board held in Jamaica in November, to incorporate the views and participation of our younger individuals, whose enter is vital to the sustainability of our efforts.
As we enter 2024, the Secretariat will proceed to diligently administer the Group’s priorities of deepening financial integration and commerce, strengthening overseas coverage coordination and group relations and human and social growth, sustainable growth, and regional safety. Particularly, we’re targeted on efforts to implement the free motion of all CARICOM nationals throughout the Group by March 2024 as decided by Heads of Authorities.
I prolong honest due to Heads of Authorities of the Caribbean Group, their Ministers and senior officers, for his or her dedication to regional integration and the implementation of programmes and insurance policies to enhance the lives of the individuals of the Area. Particular thanks additionally to our worldwide companions, the non-public sector, labour organisations, and to the civil society teams which have responded so positively to the Secretariat’s efforts in direction of extra structured engagement.
Via all of it, the workers of the CARICOM Secretariat have been propelling the initiatives crafted to enhance the standard of lives of our individuals. My heartfelt appreciation to all.
Underpinning all we do is a deep want for a “Group for all”, that’s protected, more and more affluent and the place our males, ladies and younger individuals will flourish for generations to come back. I invite your continued participation within the course of to advance this purpose.
I want for every one a cheerful and protected finish to this 12 months, and peace and prosperity for 2024.
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