— President Ali underscores in message to mark CARICOM Day

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali said that Guyana’s commitment to CARICOM remains strong and unwavering and is prepared to play its part in the transformation of the Community for the benefit of its peoples. President Ali gave the assurance in a message to mark CARICOM Day today. Today marks the 48th anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty Establishing the Caribbean Community. This year also marks 20 years since the adoption of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that cleared the way for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
According to the President, the Community remains buoyed by the political commitment of Member States to make it work, and, indeed, by significant achievements, much of which are often not acknowledged. He noted that one of those achievements was being witnessed amidst the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, pointing out that, despite being the region worst affected economically by the pandemic, CARICOM has fared better in managing its impacts than many nations more amply endowed in terms of economic and human resources.

The incidence of cases and deaths in the Community, for instance, is well below hemispheric averages. This is, of course, no reason for complacency, the Guyanese Head of State however warned. “We are a Community committed to the rule of law, democratic values, and the promotion and protection of human rights. Nationals of the Community have rights that can be legally protected and enforced through the Caribbean Court of Justice,” he said while reminding all that Guyana is a founding member of CARICOM.
Guyana hosts the seat of the Community’s headquarters in Georgetown. CARICOM is Guyana’s third largest trading partner and possesses the potential to become an even larger market for its exports.
IMPORTANT BULWARK
The Community is an important bulwark in the preservation and maintenance of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, President Ali said, added: “We are indebted to CARICOM for its unstinting support in this regard.” Guyana currently holds lead responsibility for agriculture within the Community. Guyana has also embarked on a process to transform the regional agri-food sector in order to enhance food and nutrition security. “Guyana joins with the rest of the Community in observing CARICOM Day today, at a time when the Secretariat of the Community is undergoing a process of transition. It is ready to welcome Dr Carla Barnett of Belize as the first woman and the first person from a continental CARICOM country to be Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. I pledge Guyana’s strong support for the success of her tenure. “I also take this opportunity to salute the incumbent Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who has led the organisation with a wise head and a steady hand. We applaud his sterling contributions to regional integration and wish him success in the future,” President Ali said. Since 1973, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has grown in several ways. Its membership has multiplied from the original four – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – to now 15 Member States and five Associate Members.

Consequently, the combined population of the Community has increased several fold, from less than five million in 1973 to almost 20 million today, albeit still relatively small by most measures. The Community enjoys a rich diversity: ethnocultural, demographic, linguistic, socio-economic, political and legal and, not surprisingly, the expansion of CARICOM has posed additional challenges to the integration process even as it has presented new opportunities.
“The integration process is, of necessity, a work-in-progress, marked by imperfections but always aspiring to a stronger community of sovereign states,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, said the Community, with one voice, has been impactful in international fora.
CARICOM’s voice has been especially clear on the most existential threats to the future of its people, such as climate change and the current COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said, noting that the Community’s mantra, “1.5 to stay alive”, much resisted during the Paris climate negotiations in 2015, is now the point of reference for global climate action.

STRONG ADVOCACY

He also said that the strong advocacy of CARICOM leaders for equitable access to vaccines in the current COVID crisis has no doubt contributed to a more responsive posture by development partners. “Despite a myriad of challenges, the Community continues to work assiduously to deliver on its promise and potential for the people of the region. The past year has severely tested the resolve of the Caribbean people, but we know that the Caribbean destiny can only be forged in unity, with clear heart, purpose, strong action and advocacy. “Guyana remains committed to the integration process and looks forward to contributing to building a stronger, more resilient future for the people of our region. It will take time; it will take effort and it will take support,” Minister Todd said. Throughout its existence, he noted that friendship, cooperation, solidarity, and support have been the CARICOM hallmark and those elements are especially manifest and meaningful in times of challenge and stress facing the people across the Community.
“This is certainly the case now as Hurricane Elsa clears a path through the Caribbean. Guyana stands firmly with our CARICOM partners who have been affected and will respond to any call for assistance. That is the essence of Community. We must work together to make CARICOM a success. It belongs to us,” said Minister Todd.