REMARKS DELIVERED BY HON. TILLMAN THOMAS
PRIME MINISTER OF GRENADA
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
30TH MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT
OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY
NATIONAL CENTRE
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

Your Excellency, Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Chairman of the Conference

Other Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community

Your Excellency Edwin Carrington, Secretary General of the Caribbean Community

Specially invited guest, Your Excellency, Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic

Specially invited guest, Your Excellency Karmalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth

Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Other specially invited guests

Members of the media

Ladies and Gentlemen

Twenty years ago at Grand Anse, Heads of Government of Community Member States took the bold step towards deepening the integration process and strengthening the Caribbean Community in all of its dimensions, to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by the global economy.

They envisioned a Community characterised by a high level of human social and economic development, brought about through the cooperation of all sectors, civil society and social institutions of the region in maximising the opportunities offered in the external environment.

Twenty years later, we must examine whether the dynamism and versatility of the external environment has caused us to re-examine those commitments, reassess our objectives and achievements and chart a clear,  consolidated path towards the attainment of our goals.

Today we meet at a time when the effects of the global financial situation have negatively impacted the economies of the Region.  Growth has been impeded in the Tourism Sector and decline has already been recorded in a number of our member states which depend heavily on Tourism.  

At the same time, we are witnessing a significant percentage of job losses in the sector as it struggles to cope.  This could prove detrimental to situations where a high level of unemployment already exists.

The effects of the financial crisis on the construction and financial sectors have been no less adverse.  

A number of Member States have already been affected by the halt in the contribution of the construction sector to GDP and the drop in the inflow of capital.  This coupled with the decline in remittances has significantly impacted on our economies.

Notwithstanding the measures implemented by the Region at the national levels, the situation warrants constant monitoring and attention.  It is imperative that the region devise a solid strategy and financing plan to alleviate the situation.

At the same time, clear policy guidance is required that can determine whether we sink or float.  Given the bleak outlook and uncertain immediate future, monitoring must be accompanied by prudent policies and undertakings until the worst of the crisis is past.

The presence of the International Financial Institutions at this Meeting is no doubt timely.  Discussions must be focussed on ensuring new commitments and fulfilment of those already made to assist in implementing programmes aimed at stabilising and offsetting the immediate and medium-term negative impacts of the crisis.

Ladies and gentlemen, we also meet at a time when the issue of addressing Climate Change has taken on enormous significance.  

2009 is a particularly important year for Climate Change as the international negotiations are scheduled to culminate in a new intergovernmental regime to address causes and impacts of Climate Change.  

This new regime would be important for small states like Caribbean Community Member States, as the decisions taken on emission reductions will directly influence the amount of damage to the environment and other problems caused by Climate Change.

The Region needs to face the challenge head on, to ensure the provision of financing to assist vulnerable countries in adapting to Climate Change.

The decisions could have a significant impact on the ability of Caribbean Countries to initiate programmes in response to Climate Change.

Negotiations are in gear on the draft negotiating text and it is expected that governments will receive proposals for adoption in Copenhagen.  

Community Member States are urged to study these proposals and seek to ensure that the most beneficial results are obtained for the region.

The upcoming Preparatory AOSIS Meeting provides an excellent opportunity to gain support for the Region’s priorities; but, first, there must be a regional consolidated approach to the preparations for Copenhagen.  

The Draft Regional Strategy for achieving development that is resilient to Climate Change has the potential to provide the foundation for such an approach.

Such challenges have the potential to deter growth and development in the Region.  They are further compounded by the low performance of the agriculture sector; recent health issues such as the spread of the H1N1 virus, rising crime in a number of Member States, and setbacks to the integration process.

In response to these, are a number of welcomed initiatives, feasible measures to ensure greater success in putting the agricultural sector on a sound footing; and, the establishment of CARPHA to bring greater efficiency and improvement to the management of and services offered by the Region’s public health sector.

So twenty years later, the Region is, in essence, responding positively to the challenges.

The significant strides made in Information and Communication Technology are recognisable in the developmental efforts of the region.  The Development of the Regional Strategy for ICT Development (ICT4D) is crucial to social and political development and overall economic growth. Ease of access to communication bridges gaps and facilitates access to information, increased knowledge and improved performance. The Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) contributes significantly to these strides in development efforts through the use of ICT.  

 In its quest to build a regional network to provide connectivity, it continues to upgrade the skills and competence of the people of the region thereby building much needed capacity.

Ladies and gentlemen, you must therefore agree with me, that the region is responding positively to the plethora of challenges.  This response can be magnified if the true spirit of cooperation envisaged through the Grand Anse Declaration is adhered to.

Internally, this entails full implementation by participating Member States of their commitments under the Caribbean Single Market, pertaining to the free movement of goods, services and labour and the facilitation of travel; the removal of restrictions and the institution of national treatment.

It also entails finding common ground on the issue of contingent rights amidst the overabundance of reservations expressed by Member States, and resolving contentions on the CARIPASS which is intended to facilitate quick entry into Member States, thereby complementing the facilitation of travel.

Externally, it entails consolidation of existing relations with third countries, the forging of alliances and concerted cooperation on matters of mutual concern that would prove beneficial to the region;  

It also entails the forging of new alliances on a reciprocal basis that would assist regional developmental efforts.

Ladies and Gentlemen in this context the region must take a closer look at the importance of ensuring our energy is secure. We must determine together the threats to energy that increases our vulnerability in this changing global landscape.

We need to evaluate the impact of current programmes that speak to our human resource development and the issues that will pose additional challenges to us in the medium and long terms. Issues of HIV/AIDS and other health related concerns that have the potential to retard our growth.

We should take a closer look at the call for a special summit on our youth. The foundation we construct today will better position our future leaders for success.

Ladies and Gentlemen the critical issue of further integration of the region must be a constant on our agenda. It is the one thing that has the potential to help this region survive and develop.

This is why Grenada welcomed the intervention of our colleague Prime Minister Manning towards the deepening of the integration process with the OECS at the political level.

There is no doubt that there are some critical decisions needed at this time in our Region’s development. I urge an urgent approach to these issues, with a view to moving us forward as a region and as a people.

Time, ladies and gentlemen is not on our side. Our people are becoming increasingly concerned about the future. We must ensure that concern does not turn into anxiety.

I thank you.