BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—On Wednesday, President of the European Fee Ursula von der Leyen underscored the significance of nearer collaboration with the Caribbean, saying Europe will all the time be able to hear and have interaction with the area.
The EU official, addressing the opening of the three-day Caribbean Group (CARICOM) summit right here, mentioned collaboration was additionally wanted in a altering world setting highlighted by the wars in Ukraine, the Center East, Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti.
She recalled that when the Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, CARICOM nations have been the primary regional block to face with Ukraine, with Europe, and with worldwide regulation, and “you probably did it due to your unwavering values commerce, but in addition due to a lawless world the place may make proper is simply extra harmful for everybody you may have continuously and persistently referred to as for simply peace.”
“You’ve got proven your huge coronary heart and nice braveness; Europe will all the time be grateful. Now, three years on, we reside in an much more difficult world, which is why the Caribbean and Europe want one another greater than ever. Main economies are competing for entry to minerals, new applied sciences, and world commerce routes, and you already know precisely what this implies for everyone else: smaller nations, be they in Europe or the Caribbean, danger not solely being squeezed however lower off from world provide chains. ”
von der Leyen mentioned the Caribbean area has already confronted conditions during which it was inconceivable to acquire batteries, electrical vehicles, or life-saving vaccines.
” And that is simply not wholly unfair. It’s in nobody’s curiosity as a result of there are challenges that every one nations face, whether or not massive or small, developed or growing; all of us want to guard nature. All of us have to cease and reverse world warming.
“The muse of our livelihood is that this planet with its phenomenal nature; all of us should face rising threats to human well being. All of us want to understand the digital economic system’s alternatives whereas managing its dangers on challenges like these. We’re not in a race towards one another. We’re in a race towards time. So even in harsh competitors, we have to be part of forces.”
The EU Commissioner mentioned to the world right now, “There’s a transparent try by some to construct spheres of affect, the place competing visions of the world order are resulting in a extra transactional method to world affairs, the place the disruptive potential of intense competitors is rising, the place one thing there isn’t a win-win state of affairs.”
However she warned {that a} win-lose state of affairs is what is correct on this world and that Europe’s provide is obvious.
“Let’s search for shared values and mutual pursuits and work collectively. That is right now’s name, and our two areas have a lot in widespread,” she mentioned, including that the EU’s funding partnership has grow to be stronger and extra profound in the previous few years.
She mentioned on decarbonization and nature safety. Europe understands that the struggle towards local weather change is paramount to the Caribbean states as a result of it’s intrinsically linked to their existence.
“We perceive how basic it’s for small islands to have a entrance seat on the desk the place you might be the robust voice you should be for this trigger.
“And let’s be very clear: all continents should pace up the transition to local weather neutrality; all of us must take care of the rising burden of local weather change. Its impression is inconceivable to disregard.”
She mentioned that with warmth waves throughout Asia, floods from Brazil to Indonesia, Africa to Europe, and hurricanes in the USA and the Caribbean, “the clock is ticking, and sure, we’re one planet…
“Local weather change should nonetheless be on high of the worldwide agenda, and its impression on improvement have to be on the similar degree of precedence,” von der Leyen mentioned, including that the world wants to maneuver in the direction of internet zero.
“Each area ought to have its clear tech worth chains and reap the financial advantages. It is a central purpose of Europe’s World Gateway funding program, and right now, we’re launching a brand new vitality transition partnership to provide clear vitality and clear hydrogen within the curriculum. However we’re additionally engaged on native clear tech worth chains, as an example. ”
She mentioned she helps the undertaking of turning the harmful Sargassum right into a supply of fresh vitality.
“Collectively, we are able to construct native options to probably the most burning world points. What now we have to do is be part of forces and faucet into this potential. Work constructively collectively. We will transfer mountains if we work collectively and be part of forces in a win-win state of affairs.
“And there’s a lot potential right here within the Caribbean; you may have a talented workforce and a powerful training system. You’ve got many rising industries I do know you need, and you may transfer up the worldwide worth chain. And that is an curiosity we share.”
The EU Commissioner recalled the disruption attributable to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, noting that it was bitter for the Caribbean when it was virtually inconceivable to acquire vaccines and important medicines like paracetamol.
“Right now, all of us perceive that each area must construct its farmer worth chains, and that is why we’re launching a bundle for native pharma manufacturing within the Caribbean collectively,” she mentioned, noting that it consists of World Gateway and personal investments.
“It consists of regulatory cooperation. It comprises extra collaboration between our college for analysis and expert individuals to construct a Caribbean pharma trade, beginning with Barbados and Guyana. Europe has a singular experience, and we’re able to share it so you may diversify your economic system as a result of that is de-risking world worth chains, and it’s in our curiosity.
“That is what I name true mutual curiosity,” she mentioned, referring to the significance of the digital economic system.
“A few of your nations have an incredible, rising startup scene and are extremely engaging for digital nomads, however you additionally face connectivity points, particularly in rural areas and distant islands. However once more, let’s work collectively.
Europe has secure and dependable satellite tv for pc infrastructure, and right now, we are able to announce a brand new funding in last-mile connectivity within the curriculum as a result of each area has the suitable to be part of the brand new age of digital and synthetic intelligence. We all know how essential synthetic intelligence might be in advancing the SDGs (Sustainable Improvement Objectives) agenda in combating poverty and inequalities.
“On this world of giants, small island states can discover a new place on the coronary heart of worldwide worth chains. You possibly can play a big function in a digital and decarbonized world economic system with the suitable investments.
“And that is so necessary, not simply on your individuals, but in addition for a extra balanced and resilient world economic system. In a world of change, all of us want dependable companions, and that’s what you might be for us. Europe will all the time be able to hear and to have interaction with you, “von der Leyen advised the convention.
