GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The next is the complete textual content of the communique issued on Friday by the Guyana-based Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) Secretariat following the tip on Wednesday of the four-day CARICOM summit held right here.
“The Forty-Sixth Common Assembly of the Convention of Heads of Authorities of the Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) was held from 25 – 28 February in Georgetown, Guyana.
Chair of the Convention, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, presided over the Assembly.
Members of the Convention in attendance have been: Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Honourable Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of Barbados, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley; Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Honourable Philip Davis; Prime Minister of Dominica, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit; Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell; President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Haiti, His Excellency Dr. Ariel Henry; Premier of Montserrat, Honourable Joseph Taylor-Farrell; Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Honourable Philip Pierre; Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves; President of Suriname, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi; and the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley.
Belize and Jamaica have been each represented by their Ministers of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce, the Honourable Francis Fonseca, and Senator, the Honourable Kamina Johnson-Smith, respectively.
Affiliate Member States represented have been Bermuda by Premier the Honourable Edward David Burt; the British Virgin Islands by Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley; and the Turks and Caicos Islands by Honourable Arlington Alexander Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Providers.
OPENING CEREMONY
CARICOM Secretary-Normal Dr. Carla N. Barnett welcomed the Neighborhood and Visitors to the Georgetown Nationwide Cultural Heart Opening Ceremony. She famous that it was becoming for one more Common Assembly to be held within the house of one of many 4 Signatories to the Unique Treaty of Chaguaramas as celebrations proceed for CARICOM’s landmark fiftieth Anniversary.
The Secretary-Normal stated that important technical and coverage work by the Secretariat and Member States has led to accomplishments in varied areas. She additionally pointed to the Area’s affect in key worldwide boards the place Member States have a voice in addressing advanced and multi-faceted international points.
“CARICOM speaks loudly and clearly within the worldwide Neighborhood. Our decided advocacy has helped to spur constructive change for essential hemispheric and international points,” she stated.
The Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica and Outgoing Chair pinpointed the signing of a Double Taxation Settlement to ease commerce and funding throughout the Neighborhood, continued calls towards elevating local weather change consciousness, deepened engagement with worldwide companions to safe essential assist for our improvement priorities; efforts towards an enduring resolution to the challenges confronted by Haiti; and regional collaboration to defuse the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, as sign achievements over the previous 12 months.
“These achievements are usually not merely footnotes; they characterize the collective spirit of the Caribbean. They characterize the unwavering dedication of our governments, the dedication of our individuals, and the ability of regional collaboration,” he emphasised.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Chairman, confused the significance of accountability to the Area’s individuals and making certain the success of commitments made. He highlighted initiatives in Meals Safety, Local weather Change, Regional Digitalization and Youth, and Regional Transport.
On Haiti, the CARICOM Chair emphasised, “Our Area has one curiosity in Haiti – that’s the individuals of Haiti. We won’t deviate from that curiosity.”
He additionally underscored the “brilliance of tradition” within the Area. “On this Area, tradition is our staple. Tradition is that frequent thread that brings us collectively,” he emphasised.
A spotlight of the Opening Ceremony was the presentation of a drumming corps comprising performers from host nation Guyana, Grenada, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their spirited, vigorous efficiency, “Sounds of the Caribbean,” and different cultural performances by Guyanese younger individuals added shade and vitality to the Ceremony. The Ceremony will be considered right here.
CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
The Convention acquired an replace from the Prime Minister of Barbados, Chair of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Financial system (PMSC-CSME), on progress relating to its implementation.
The Convention famous the Report of the PMSC-CSME on the standing of essential CSME goals and agreed on pressing steps to expedite a number of of them. These embody intensified work in the direction of free motion, rushing up critiques to facilitate harmonization of sure Enterprise Legal guidelines, and Mutual recognition.
They confused the significance of digital transformation regarding firms’ registries. They agreed to determine a regional committee of knowledge know-how specialists to assist with this digital transformation below the management of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell as Lead Head answerable for ICT and Incoming Chair.
The Convention famous the work underway to finish initiatives similar to establishing a Regional Securities Market by July 2024.
WORK TOWARDS FREE MOVEMENT OF ALL COMMUNITY NATIONALS
The Convention acquired a report on the work of the Reconstituted Inter-Governmental Job Drive (ITGF) to implement the Choice of the Convention of July 2023 to work in the direction of Free Motion of all Neighborhood Nationals.
They agreed that draft amendments to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas ought to embody primary ensures to be afforded to all CARICOM nationals exercising the appropriate of free motion and directed the IGTF and Authorized Affairs Committee to finish their work for the consideration of a gathering of the Convention to happen on 15 March.
THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS AGENDA- FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY
Heads of Authorities acquired a report from the Chairman, Lead Head of Authorities with duty for Agriculture and Agriculture Improvement within the CARICOM Quasi-Cupboard, and from the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture of Guyana and Chair of the Ministerial Taskforce on Meals Manufacturing and Meals Safety.
The Assembly was up to date on efforts in the direction of reaching the 25 by 2025 Meals and Vitamin Safety Initiative, together with coverage approvals; elimination of obstacles to intra-regional commerce, agricultural commerce promotion, cross-border investments, human useful resource improvement, and capability constructing; elevated manufacturing and productiveness; and transportation and logistics.
The Agriculture Minister famous that there had been elevated consciousness and buy-in to enhance Meals and Vitamin Safety within the Area and outlined that greater than 73 tasks and packages that assist the 25 by 2025 initiative are being carried out by over 13 regional companions and donors. One other 20 or so initiatives are at completely different phases of formulation.
The Convention recommended the Chairman’s management on this essential agenda merchandise. They inspired Member States to benefit from the agricultural insurance coverage product provided to the sector and facilitated better collaboration. They famous cooperation tasks with the Neighborhood’s exterior companions, together with Cuba, the Meals and Agriculture Organisation, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Convention additional noticed that the upcoming pilot regional ferry service could be very important to the Area’s meals safety efforts.
They agreed that the Member States would develop a Pre-Clearance/Regional Export Commerce Mechanism for agricultural produce for endorsement and approval by the Convention at its forty seventh Common Assembly in July 2024 and requested that the MTF speed up the identification of further investor-friendly insurance policies and packages for implementation below the 25 by 2025 meals safety initiative.
Heads of presidency additionally strongly inspired the regional personal sector to benefit from the proposal from Suriname, which is making 300,000 ha of land obtainable for regional agricultural improvement. They underscored the personal sector’s function in taking pressing motion to put money into producing farming objects for which frequent suspensions of the CET are granted.
DEVELOPMENTS IN REGIONAL AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
The Assembly acquired a report from the CARICOM Non-public Sector Organisation (CPSO) on efforts to handle the Area’s air and maritime transportation points. The CPSO famous that alternatives exist for maritime options in agro-food merchandise requiring chilly chain, together with recent produce, meat, and poultry, and to complement the motion of individuals. In addition they famous that container-shipping capability exceeds demand, and purpose-specific interventions are wanted to attach alternatives.
Heads of presidency expressed appreciation to the regional personal sector for his or her work in finishing “Industrial Evaluation Section 1” and inspired the CPSO to emphasise re-engineering routes. They reiterated the necessity for the Non-public Sector to capitalize on the myriad funding alternatives in regional air and maritime transportation.
REPLENISHMENT OF THE CDF CAPITAL FUND
Heads of Authorities consulted on replenishing the CDF Capital Fund for the third Contribution & Subvention Cycle. They agreed on the baseline interval of 2016 -2021 for the method for replenishing the CDF primarily based on a capitalization of US$80 million. They reviewed and revised the contribution method earlier than the subsequent replenishment cycle.
Heads of Authorities agreed to determine a committee led by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to look at revolutionary methods to finance the CDF.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE FINANCING
Heads of Authorities reviewed the scenario dealing with the Area relating to Local weather Change and took inventory of the end result of COP 28. They famous the persevering with inadequacy of the worldwide response and the quickly closing window of alternative to restrict international warming to 1.5 levels Celsius above pre-industrial ranges regardless of many commitments and guarantees. Heads issued a Assertion on Local weather Financing.
GLOBAL AND HEMISPHERIC ISSUES
The Convention expressed grave concern with the continuing scenario in Gaza.
They acknowledged efforts made by Member States of the Neighborhood to assist the residents of Gaza dealing with catastrophic meals insecurity, displacement, and intersecting humanitarian crises, given the operational challenges dealing with the United Nations Aid and Works Company for Palestine Refugees within the Close to East.
In addition they acknowledged the necessity for CARICOM to advocate for a constructive decision. They underscored the pre-eminent function that the Neighborhood can assume with Trinidad and Tobago as the present President of the United Nations Normal Meeting (UNGA) and Guyana as a member of the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) and President of the Council in February 2024.
Heads of Authorities issued a Assertion on the Ongoing State of affairs in Gaza.
HAITI
Heads of Authorities issued a Assertion on Haiti.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2024 ICC T-20 CRICKET WORLD CUP
The Convention acquired an replace on preparations for the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2024 from Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies.
Six Member States (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago) will host matches of the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) Males’s T20 World Cup 2024 Event from 4 – 30 June 2024.
The Convention famous the indication from the CWI President that, up to now, CWI has acquired 4 million purposes for tickets from 120 international locations. Heads of Authorities urged the CWI to place measures in place to make sure the provision and ease of entry to tickets for matches by the individuals of the Area who’ve lengthy been passionate supporters of the game.
The Convention underscored the distinctive character of West Indies Cricket and the significance of a strategic evaluation of cricket each as a sport and as a enterprise in the direction of making certain the expansion and sustainability of the game within the Area. In that context, Heads acknowledged the proposal by Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Chairman of the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket, to host a convention on West Indies Cricket on 19 April 2024 in Port of Spain to discover the enterprise trajectory for the game.
Heads of Authorities expressed appreciation for the technical work that the Well being, Security, and Safety Sub-Committee (HSSC) had commenced to facilitate hassle-free journey and enhance citizen safety for the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup.
REPARATIONS
The Assembly heard from Sir Hilary Beckles, Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Fee, and Prime Minister Mottley, Chair of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on Reparations, on the profitable advocacy of the CARICOM Reparations Fee over the previous decade, in bringing international consideration to the Area’s name for Reparatory Justice.
They endorsed the Regional Strategic Framework as really useful by the PMSC and authorised the Regional Work Plan and Price range for 2024 – 2026.
The Convention proposes emphasizing direct engagement, advocacy, and negotiations, together with strengthening partnership with the African Union. They agreed to broaden the context for Reparatory Justice to incorporate native genocide, chattel enslavement, indentureship, and colonialism. They acknowledged the peculiar circumstances of abroad territories within the Area relating to reparatory justice. They requested the PMSC on Reparations to advise on modalities for his or her involvement in CARICOM’s Reparations agenda.
In addition they agreed to hunt to have Reparations included on the agendas of the SIDS Convention in Antigua and Barbuda in Might 2024 and the Commonwealth Heads of Authorities (CHOGM) Convention in October 2024.
CARIFESTA
Heads of Authorities welcomed the provide from Barbados to host XV CARIFESTA in August 2025.
HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE WITH GUESTS
Heads of Authorities warmly welcomed the Particular Visitor of the Convention, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. They famous that his presence signifies the sturdy bond between the Area and Brazil and that the 2 sides share a wealthy historical past of South-South cooperation and are united by geography and a typical need to construct prosperity for his or her peoples.
They expressed appreciation for Brazil’s instrumental function in facilitating the Guyana-Venezuela Joint Fee in January 2024.
The Convention highlighted the immense potential for mutually helpful cooperation in Local weather Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Catastrophe Preparedness, and Meals and Vitamin Safety, particularly for the Area’s 25 by 2025 initiative.
President Lula expressed his nice pleasure at being current on the Convention. He famous that his nation strategically prioritized its relationship with international locations in CARICOM. He underscored Brazil’s assist for efforts to handle the Area’s local weather change priorities, regional safety, intra-regional connectivity, and sustainable improvement, together with by means of advocacy on the G20 throughout Brazil’s Presidency in 2024.
The Second CARICOM-Brazil Summit is to be held in 2024.
Heads of Authorities additionally welcomed His Excellency Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State within the Ministry of Overseas Affairs of Saudia Arabia. They seemed ahead to the early opening of a CARICOM Home in Saudi Arabia and the formalization of a mechanism to make sure different tasks within the pipeline are realized.
The Minister of State underscored his nation’s need for a long-term partnership in commerce and funding, surroundings and local weather change, and schooling.
ENGAGEMENT WITH SIR CLIVE LLOYD
The Convention acquired Guyanese cricketing legend Sir Clive Lloyd and introduced the consensus of the Neighborhood to confer on him the Area’s highest honor, the Order of the Caribbean Neighborhood (OCC)
They lauded his sustained wonderful efficiency over a long time and hailed him as “one of many brightest examples of management” from the Area.
BELIZE – GUATEMALA AND BELIZE – HONDURAS
The Heads of Authorities acquired an replace on the Belize – Guatemala and the Belize – Honduras circumstances earlier than the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ). They recommended the Events for his or her willingness to hunt a peaceable decision to all authorized claims in opposition to Belize to land, insular territories, and any maritime areas about these territories by means of the ICJ. They referred to as on all Events to abide by the ICJ choice when delivered and to work collectively to demarcate the borders in compliance with the ruling.
The Convention expressed concern over the continued unlawful actions by Guatemalan nationals alongside the Belize – Guatemala border and referred to as on the Guatemalan Authorities to dissuade its nationals, by the Confidence Constructing Measures signed in 2005, from coming into Belizean territory. They referred to as on each governments to work collectively to confront illicit actions alongside the Belize – Guatemala border by organizing joint patrols with the help of the Group of American States (OAS).
They recommended the work carried out by the OAS in decreasing rigidity and constructing good neighborly relations between Belize and Guatemala. They inspired each international locations to proceed to mobilize sources for the operations of the OAS workplace, whose work will proceed to be essential, together with after the ICJ choice on the territorial, insular, and maritime dispute.
GUYANA – VENEZUELA
Heads of Authorities acquired an replace on developments in Guyana/Venezuela relations. They decried the numerous Venezuelan army border exercise. Nonetheless, they famous a reducing of tensions because the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela was issued on December 14, 2023, following the Assembly of the 2 international locations’ Presidents.
They welcomed convening the primary Assembly of the Overseas Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela and their technical groups in Brasilia on January 25, 2024, as a constructive step to rebuilding cooperation between the 2 international locations, whereas the Worldwide Court docket of Justice determines the case in regards to the land boundary.
Heads additionally famous that Venezuela has till April 8, 2024, to submit its counter-memorial on the case’s deserves relating to the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that had decided the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela and urged it to take action.
They reaffirmed their strong assist for sustaining and preserving Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
CANDIDATURES
Heads of Authorities expressed CARICOM’s endorsement of the candidature of H.E. Albert Ramdin, Minister of Overseas Affairs, Worldwide Enterprise and Worldwide Cooperation of Suriname, for the Secretary-Normal of the Group of American States.
APPRECIATION
Heads of Authorities expressed their appreciation to the Authorities and Individuals of Guyana for his or her wonderful hospitality and the preparations as Hosts of the Assembly.
DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Heads of presidency accepted Grenada’s invitation to host the forty seventh Common Assembly of the Convention from 3 -5 July 2024.
STATEMENTS
Assertion: CARICOM Heads of Authorities Change on Haiti
CARICOM Heads of Authorities, together with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, met with Worldwide Companions of Haiti, together with Canada, France, the USA, the UK, and the United Nations, in a coordination assembly on the scenario in Haiti within the context of the Safety Council Decision 2699. Haiti, as a sister nation of the Neighborhood, was an important focus of the forty sixth Assembly of the Convention of Heads of Authorities of the Caribbean Neighborhood in Georgetown, Guyana, on 26 February.
The Heads of Authorities and the Companions acquired an replace on the scenario from the Coordinator of the Eminent Individuals Group, former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony. In the midst of a frank and in-depth dialogue on the scenario in Haiti, the CARICOM Heads expressed their deep concern over the continued deterioration of the safety, humanitarian, and political scenario and the continued delay in overcoming the political stalemate, which has blocked the potential of free and truthful elections. CARICOM Heads underlined the essential and rapid want for a transparent political path ahead, which needs to be participatory and inclusive.
The CARICOM Heads took notice of the dedication made by Prime Minister Ariel Henry to take important steps to maneuver the political course of ahead, together with holding common elections to revive constitutional authorities and authority no later than 31 August 2025. To this finish, an electoral wants hole evaluation group will likely be dispatched by CARICOM by 31 March 2024, in session with the United Nations in keeping with current Safety Council mandates, with the assist of Canada, the USA, and the OAS. The Evaluation Workforce will assist the planning and efforts of the related Haitian establishments to be established.
The CARICOM Heads and the important thing Companions acknowledged the depth of the struggling of the Haitian individuals. The dearth of consensus among the many political stakeholders, civil society, the personal and non secular sectors, and the Authorities of Haiti has exacerbated this. On this regard, the CARICOM Heads referred to as on all involved to make the mandatory concessions to resolve the political deadlock. They urged that every stakeholder acknowledge that they may solely get hold of a few of what they need, however Haiti should get hold of what it wants.
Towards this background, CARICOM will invite the stakeholders to take part in an pressing assembly to handle and settle the essential political path that’s participatory and inclusive.
Assertion on the Ongoing State of affairs in Gaza
The Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) stays deeply distressed by the continuing violence and deteriorating scenario in Gaza, which has resulted within the tragic lack of civilian lives, together with the deaths of girls and youngsters on an unprecedented scale and widespread displacement and struggling.
CARICOM reiterates its sturdy condemnation of the assaults by Hamas and the taking of hostages on 7 October 2023, in addition to of the Israeli actions that violate worldwide humanitarian regulation and the human rights of the Palestinian individuals. The continual Israeli bombardment of Gaza has led to catastrophic lack of civilian lives, the destruction of essential infrastructure, and the deprivation of requirements, meals, water, and medical care.
On this regard, CARICOM urges a direct and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and secure and unimpeded entry to ship sufficient and sustained humanitarian help. We additionally strongly advocate for the rule of regulation to prevail and for the return to their households of all hostages and individuals held in administrative detention with out cost.
Israel’s continued and increasing occupation of territory within the occupied West Financial institution poses a extreme and persevering with menace to a peaceable, safe, and secure world. CARICOM, subsequently, reaffirms its unwavering dedication to a holistic roadmap in the direction of a two-state resolution, in step with the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) Decision 242, as the one viable path to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
CARICOM additionally deplores the truth that Israel has flouted the Resolutions of each the UN Normal Meeting and the UN Safety Council, calling for a ceasefire, in addition to the provisional measures ordered by the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ). The Neighborhood, subsequently, calls on the United Nations Normal Meeting to invoke its powers below UN Normal Meeting Decision 377A “Uniting for Peace” to carry an emergency session and to subject applicable suggestions to UN Member States to collectively impose measures designed to inspire Israel to stick to its obligations below the stated UN Decision and below the ICJ Order.
The Neighborhood, subsequently, requires a renewed dedication to a peaceable decision of the Israeli-Palestinian battle by means of significant dialogue and negotiation and calls upon the worldwide Neighborhood to play a constructive function in facilitating an enduring resolution to the battle and reaching a sturdy peace that ensures the human rights, dignity, and safety of each side.
Assertion on Local weather Change
The Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) stays on the frontlines of the worldwide local weather disaster, a difficulty the Area has aggressively advocated for the previous thirty years. Regardless of worldwide companions’ many commitments and guarantees, the window of alternative to restrict international warming to 1.5 levels Celsius above pre-industrial ranges is quickly closing.
Heads of Authorities are involved that whereas COP 28 was extensively thought to be a historic occasion, with the completion of the primary international stocktake (GST), on progress within the achievement of the Paris Settlement targets, the outcomes of GST present that emissions of greenhouse gases proceed to rise. Events’ nationally decided contributions (NDCs) won’t preserve international temperatures beneath the 1.5-degree purpose enshrined within the Paris Settlement.
Heads of Authorities additionally expressed concern about heading to COP 29, the place a New Finance Purpose will likely be articulated to switch the 100bn purpose, which has not but been met, whilst creating international locations require trillions to cope with the escalating impacts of Local weather Change. Developed nation events want to supply extra finance at scale, know-how, and capacity-building assist essential to assist creating international locations sort out their urgent must construct their resilience, particularly in adapting to the opposed and more and more catastrophic impacts of Local weather Change. The obvious absence of definitive timelines for motion and quantitative commitments for scaling up investments, significantly adaptation finance rising out of COP 28, causes nice concern to our Area.
The Convention famous that Small Island Growing States (SIDS), acknowledged as probably the most weak group of nations and a selected case for sustainable improvement, have confronted sturdy pushback in opposition to recognizing their particular circumstances, particularly in local weather finance. There’s restricted worldwide assist for particular allocations for SIDS inside financing preparations, and obtainable local weather finance from worldwide and personal sources is restricted, costly, and too demanding to entry.
In gentle of the previous, Heads of Authorities referred to as for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified, and coordinated method to make sure that the Area stays influential within the local weather and improvement area by means of engagements with essential companions and advocacy teams.
They referred to as for a renewed focus by the Area to advocate for together with forests, nature-based options, and blue carbon in market mechanisms to articulate exact regional positions and methods.
Heads of Authorities reiterated the decision for improved readiness packages, simplified approval procedures, a change to the standards for figuring out entry to low-cost finance, and the adoption of programmatic approaches to handle the financing bottlenecks.
The Area reiterates its assist for the Bridgetown Initiative’s name to develop the capital adequacy of worldwide monetary establishments.
Heads acknowledged that the Fourth Worldwide Convention on Small Island Growing States, scheduled in Antigua and Barbuda on 27 – 30 Might 2024, will likely be an inflection level for a lot of of those discussions to be articulated. The Area stays dedicated to taking part within the Convention on the highest stage.
CARICOM STATEMENT ON CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Following the inaugural symposium on Crime and Violence as a Public Well being Security Difficulty and the Declaration of the Heads of Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago on 17-18 April 2023, CARICOM Heads of Authorities met in caucus in Georgetown, Guyana, on 27 February 2024 to debate the prevailing dire state of crime, violence, and public security amongst its Member States.
Heads of presidency reiterated their dedication to the ideas said in and implementing the actions set out within the Declaration on Crime and Violence as a Public Well being Security Difficulty.
In reaffirming the appropriate to freedom of expression and to public speech, CARICOM Heads of Authorities strongly condemned the event, presence, tolerance, or acceptance of violent, anti-social music and social media content material that denigrates ladies and encourages or promotes helps the usage of violence, weapons, and different anti-social habits, primarily focused to our Youth.
CARICOM Heads of Authorities affirmed their assist for partaking with younger individuals within the inventive financial system, together with the leisure and music trade and the sporting sector, to develop, assist, and unfold throughout the Area constructive content material to offset the detrimental impression of anti-social, violent, and legal habits which some components in that sector promote and assist.
Given the profound, important, and continual detrimental developmental impression that crime and violence are having on the Member States, CARICOM Heads of Authorities are dedicated to working with all sectors and establishments, together with civil society, academia, labor, church buildings, our creatives, regulation enforcement, the judiciary, political events, employers and companies, and our exterior companions to implement the entire measures set out within the Declaration on Crime and Violence as a Public Well being Security Difficulty.
CARICOM Heads of Authorities stay dedicated to sustaining this Area as a zone of home peace and security to protect our Caribbean civilization.
Assertion on Issues Associated to Regional Financing for Improvement within the Area
Heads of Authorities are of the view that funds needs to be streamlined to make sure that there aren’t any conflicting mandates.
On this regard, Heads of Authorities supported the institution of the Blue-Inexperienced Funding Financial institution, which Barbados is establishing, whose mandate is solely on investments geared toward reaching adaptation and safeguarding resilience in our Area and our particular person Member States.
Heads of Authorities additionally imagine that pursuing the CARICOM Improvement Fund’s (CDF) mandate ought to assist investments geared toward stabilizing Deprived International locations, areas, and sectors to realize excessive ranges of long-term financial progress in our Area and our particular person member states.
Heads of Authorities famous the substantial quantities of funds held by households and the Non-public Sector within the Area’s monetary establishments, each financial institution and non-bank. A fraction of those deposits may very well be mobilized to finance Bonds issued by the CDF after session with the Regional Central Banks and protect compliance with the prudential necessities of the monetary sector within the respective jurisdictions.
It was agreed that the Lead Head of Authorities within the CARICOM Quasi Cupboard with duty for CARICOM Single Market and Financial system, Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, will coordinate the institution of a Working Group on Financing for Caribbean Improvement, to be convened and headed by Vice-President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo to handle the matter of mobilizing financing together with from the sources recognized above, to be intermediated by means of the Blue-Inexperienced Funding Financial institution and the CDF to advance the goals of regional resilience and progress.
It was additionally agreed that this Working Group on Financing for Caribbean Improvement ought to conclude its work inside 4 months of the present Assembly to submit the Report by the subsequent Assembly of Heads of Authorities.”
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