Granger to co-chair Caricom in July
President David Granger
President David Granger

WHEN he assumes co-chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in July, President David Granger intends to focus on the environmental security of small states, and food security.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, the President outlined what he intends to be focused areas as co-Chair. He said the most important aspect of CARICOM is that it comprises a collection of small states. “My main concern is the security of small states and particularly in terms of climate change… the danger of rising sea levels. Although Guyana is not an island, we have a low coastland and we are susceptible to rising sea levels,” he said.
President Granger noted that he would also like to see more focus being placed on food security. “We have to gear our economies for food security to make sure that all of our countries are protected from the vagaries of the international market.”
The President said Guyana is currently in a position to “augment its production of almost every agricultural commodity” and as such, looks forward to “seeing CSME on the road and working.”
He noted that environmental security of small sates is an area of concern and noted that the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Guyana come July as Dominica is not in a position to host the meeting. Last August, heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Erika caused widespread flooding and mudslides across the island and also resulted in the death of persons.
“We can’t prevent the storm, but we could respond more quickly and efficiently. So we want to see that the Caribbean Emergency Management Agency is empowered to respond more quickly to those disasters in the island states,” President Granger added.
The President told reporters that though premature, he believes that the identified goals could be achieved during his tenure as Co-chairman of CARICOM. Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow currently holds the chairmanship. He was appointed on January 6, and will serve for six months.

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