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Four leaders absent from CARICOM retreat

May 23, 2011 News

–    Secretary-General to be appointed by July 2011

For the recent two-day retreat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at Teperu, Mazaruni that commenced Saturday last and ended yesterday, four of the 15 leaders were absent from what was supposed to be a very productive engagement as leaders evaluate and brainstorm the future of CARICOM.
Absent were President of Suriname Desi Bouterse, Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissesar, the Prime Minister of Bahamas, Hubert Ingraham and the President of Haiti, Michel Martelly.
Reports revealed that Haiti is busy with government formation, and according to the Trinidad Express the most notable absentee at the meeting was their Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar.
Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo initiated the retreat, since the bureaucracy of Caricom is lagging in implementing policies for the Caribbean community’s development.
Under the theme “Re-energising CARICOM,” leaders yesterday ended the retreat and agreed that Heads of Government should take into account the strengthening of the institution to enable it to play an enhanced role in the area of mobilising substantial resources for concrete projects in the areas identified.
It was further disclosed in a release yesterday that the restructuring should also allow the Secretariat to assist and advise Member States with implementation; offer greater technical advice and address its ability to provide practical deliverables in the immediate and long term.
At the meeting it was underscored that much had been accomplished in the Region in Human and Social Development, particularly in health and education, as well as in the establishment of the Single Market. It was emphasised that there is need for greater public awareness of the achievements of the Community.
The Heads of Government recommitted themselves to the principles of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Although these were envisioned in an environment vastly different to that which currently exists, they remain as valid today as they were when the Revised Treaty was adopted in 2001.  The challenges of that period remain and others have been added, some posing existential threats to the Region – such as climate change and the financial crisis.
Heads also reaffirmed their commitment to the Movement of Skilled Community Nationals and all the related decisions previously taken in that regard.
Collectively, Heads agreed to continue the dialogue on the way forward for the Community at their Thirty-second Regular Meeting in July 2011 in St. Kitts and Nevis.
It was also noted that the process towards a Single Economy would take longer than anticipated and they agreed it may be best to pause and consolidate the gains of the Single Market before taking any further action on certain specific elements of the Single Economy, such as the creation of a single currency.
Heads of Government also agreed that more opportunities for development have arisen; for example, in the area of Information and Communication Technologies – both as an industry in its own right as well as an enabler of development.
They recognised that while the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) provided a platform for attaining further economic development of the Community, its ultimate goal was to provide a better quality of life and greater prosperity for the Peoples of the Community.
Noting that having received a report from the Search Committee which they had established to identify a new Secretary-General, it was agreed that the persons short-listed for the position would be subjected to further processes, with a view to taking a final decision by July 2011.

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