THE Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the Government of the USA, the CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) will be hosting the 4th Meeting of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Commission on November 18 and 19, 2013.

The meeting will be held at the International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The Caribbean Security Initiative (CBSI) was conceptualized at a meeting in April 2009 in Trinidad and Tobago by US President Mr. Barack Obama at the 5th Summit of the Americas where a multimillion dollar package of support was announced by the USA to aid countries in the Caribbean Region to address crime and security in a holistic manner.
The joint Caribbean United States Framework for the Security Cooperation Engagement is based on three pillars: The Caribbean US Security Cooperation Dialogue at which meetings are held at least once per year at the Ministerial Level; The Caribbean US Security Cooperation Commission which is responsible for Monitoring the implementation of projects and related issues; and Ad Hoc Technical Working Groups that are required to meet as required.
At the meeting to be held in Guyana on November 18 and 19, representatives of the United States, The Dominican Republic, CARICOM countries and other partners will be present. At the sessions, the programmes that were implemented under the initiative will be evaluated and decisions relating to future projects will be taken.
The Security Cooperation Initiative between the USA, CARICOM countries and The Dominican Republic is aimed at building the capacity of the law enforcement agencies as well as focusing on initiatives targeting youths at risk.
Guyana hosted a similar event in October 2011.

(Michel Outridge)