THE Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) foreign policy coordination in a constantly changing international climate was the common thread running through the addresses at the 15th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), held in Paramaribo, Suriname on Thursday. The two-day meeting was preceded by a formal opening ceremony, addressed by Suriname’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Lackin in his capacity as Chairman of COFCOR, and by Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of CARICOM.
Minister Lackin, in his brief remarks, called for more effective coordination of foreign policy to counter the changing international environment, and for determining the Region’s international agenda. He emphasised the importance of COFCOR’s collaboration with the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in promoting and developing coordinated policies in a holistic manner, in order to enhance external economic and trade relations of the Community.
“Foreign policy coordination also requires that we, as ministers and as member states, participate more pro-actively in multilateral organisations; and where necessary, bring about a re-orientation of our focus,” Minister Lackin said.
Secretary-General LaRocque also made reference to the changing international environment. “This 15th Meeting of the COFCOR has been convened against a backdrop of global, hemispheric and Regional trends, developments and transformative changes of significant relevance to the conduct of the Community’s foreign policy, and to its contribution to the development and welfare of the Community. Suffice it to say that ‘Change’ is the order of the day. The Community must therefore analyse and understand its underlying features, seek to influence it or adapt accordingly, or be left behind,” the Secretary-General said.
Coordination of foreign policy, he pointed out, was essential to address issues such as the continued impact of the global economic and financial crises on the economies of the Community, and the attendant outreach efforts to sensitise the members of the G-20 and other international decision-making bodies to the concerns and needs of the Region. Coordination was also vital, he said, when addressing the issues affecting small-island developing and low-lying coastal states in the continuing international negotiations on climate change, and on sustainable development, given the upcoming Rio+20 Conference in June.
During their meeting, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs will tackle matters including  security cooperation with external partners; issues before multilateral and hemispheric bodies; the Community’s role within the Association of Caribbean States (ACS); the Community’s continued support for Haiti; developments affecting some Associate Members; climate change and the environment; and the Caribbean Sea Initiative.  (CARICOM Secretariat)