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Paramaribo (CMC):
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders officially began their annual summit on Monday, coinciding with CARICOM’s anniversary of the signing of the Chaguaramas Treaty, which gave birth to a regional integration movement that hopes to provide new insights into deepening the G-15. perspective.
Incoming CARICOM President and host President Chandrika Pessad Santoki said: “As we prepare for the deliberations over the next two days, let us always keep solidarity and community in mind as we approach the issues on the agenda. The importance of spirit,” told the four-hour opening ceremony on Sunday night.
“After all, we should be united in driving sustainable development in the countries of the region, while ensuring that no one is left behind.”
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett said the summit took place at a time of severe global crises in three key sectors: food, energy and finance.
“Solutions to our region require collective wisdom and a willingness to act together. As we have proven time and time again, this task is not beyond our reach. So let’s correct the violations once again and change the lives of our people ,” she added.
But the newly elected Grenada prime minister, Dickon Mitchell, one of three recently elected leaders to address Sunday’s ceremonial opening, urged that CARICOM should do more so as not to be “viewed as a place where we talk, and talk, and talk, and Then we’ll talk a bit more.”
His Bahamian counterpart, Phillip Davis, reminded the regional leaders that “the scaffolding for our regional architecture, the scaffolding for our future, is in our hands,” while the other newly elected leader, Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre of St Lucia, said, “We can’t just talk about solidarity. We have to prove to our people that we are united and face similar problems that only a united CARICOM can solve”.
CARICOM will highlight during this summit the issue of implementation, which has plagued since the beginning of the regional integration movement, as Santohki asked, “Have we advanced functional cooperation as a region? And enhanced policy coordination for the benefit of our people?
“Are we effectively promoting intraregional trade and working to remove barriers? Are we implementing policies to promote the free movement of people and goods? Does CARICOM serve the development goals of its members?
“Indeed, for one of the oldest integrated institutions in the Western Hemisphere, our community needs this assessment. In true Caribbean fashion, we can not only reflect, but must celebrate our many achievements,” he added.
The summit comes as the region emerges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely weakened the regional economy, closed borders and severely impacted health services.
Before the pandemic, all forecasts were for an economic recovery to come. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean had forecast a 7.8% growth in the Caribbean. Travel is resuming, our tourism industry is reopening; our citizens are returning to work and school.
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