GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -Caribbean Group (CARICOM) leaders start their forty sixth summit right here afterward Sunday, hoping to additional advance a number of points starting from the continuing socio-economic and political scenario in Haiti to advancing the CARICOM agri-food methods agenda whereas prioritising regional meals and vitamin safety
Earlier than the ceremonial opening on Sunday, scheduled for five.00 pm (native time), the regional leaders met with the Eminent Particular person Group (EPG) headed by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony relating to the scenario in Haiti.
Following their final go to to Haiti final December, the EPG group, which additionally contains former Jamaica prime minister Bruce Golding and former Bahamas prime minister Perry Christie had indicated that consensus had been reached on a number of elements of the draft framework settlement supposed to supply a transitional governance association to take the troubled French-speaking CARICOM nation to free and truthful elections.
The EPG members had discussions with the assorted stakeholders to discover a political compromise to stabilize the nation and promote a democratic transition.
In its assertion issued following their newest go to, the EPG stated the negotiations, attended by representatives of a broad cross-section of political and civil society Stakeholders, together with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, “offered a possibility for narrowing variations on the small print of the transitional governance association.
“The draft framework settlement that fashioned the premise of the negotiations was ready by the EPG and mirrored the contributions of all of the Stakeholders over greater than 5 months of consultations.
“The stakeholders achieved consensus on a number of elements of the draft framework and have agreed to proceed discussions between themselves within the absence of the EPG on the important thing areas of the stability of energy and illustration inside the proposed transitional preparations,” the assertion stated.
When the summit formally will get underway right here on Monday, the scenario in Haiti can be among the many opening agenda gadgets, with the EPG and Jamaica addressing the assembly.
As well as, representatives from Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, the US, the UK, and the United Nations will even be allowed to handle the summit.
On Monday, the regional leaders will even obtain an replace from the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on the CARICOM Single Market and Economic system (CSME), which permits for the free motion of products, abilities, labor, and companies throughout the 15-member regional integration motion.
The report on the work of the Reconstituted Inter-Governmental Activity Drive (IGTF) can be tabled, with explicit emphasis on implementing the regional leaders’ choice to work in the direction of the free motion of all CARICOM nationals.
Developments in regional transportation with an replace on the standing of labor on the “CARICOM Maritime Transport Resolution,” local weather change and local weather financing, in addition to the replace on the Fourth Worldwide Convention on Small Island Growing States (SIDS) to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from Could 27-30 are additionally included on the agenda for Monday.
The leaders will go into caucus on Monday to debate safety points and obtain an replace on the scenario within the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
In January, the leaders of the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) expressed their “alarming concern” on the present scenario within the BVI, the place the previous Governor of that British Abroad Territory, John Rankin, was reported to be transferring in the direction of implementing the suggestions of a Fee of Inquiry (COI) for governance reform.
The OECS teams the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the BVI.
In an announcement, the leaders stated that that they had famous “the request by the Governor for added powers which is able to enable him to bypass the Territorial Authorities, and implement unilaterally, the suggestions of the Fee of Inquiry (COI) for governance reforms within the BVI.”
They stated they condemn “strongly any efforts to undermine the legit Authorities of the BVI and expressed solidarity with the Authorities and folks of the BVI within the endeavor of the method for reforms.”
Additionally they condemn “the appreciable diligence exercised by the democratically elected authorities and folks of the British Virgin Islands and the progress made to date in implementing governance reforms which have little doubt strengthened the BVI methods and establishments, following the elections efficiently held in April 2023”.
Rankin, who Daniel Pruce changed on the finish of January, stated he would proceed to “ work onerous” and “with dedication and resolve collectively, the reforms which the individuals of the Virgin Islands need and deserve could be achieved.”
He stated the COI made 49 suggestions to assist resolve these points and place the BVI on a greater path to good governance.
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