THE CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), food security, climate change, climate finance, health, and security will be among the major topics under discussion when CARICOM Heads of Government meet in The Bahamas from February15-17.
The three-day meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of The Bahamas Philip Davis, and opens at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island tomorrow. It will also see Plenary sessions begin the following day at Baha Mar in New Providence, and, according to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett commence with Heads of Government placing emphasis on the progress the Community is making on the CSME, long regarded as the Region’s flagship programme.
CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM Single Market and Trade, Ambassador Wayne McCook emphasised that the Single Market and Single Economy are important aspects of the regional integration architecture, and as such must be given constant attention.
The Heads of Government are expected to take action on an amendment to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to cater for mergers and acquisitions in the Community. They will also be updated on work that is being done on the two core CARICOM trade instruments, these being the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Rules of Origin (ROO). That work is expected to be completed by the middle of the year.
FOOD SECURITY
And, given the importance the Community attaches to agriculture, Heads of Government will discuss the progress being made to achieve regional food and nutrition security.
Those discussions will be held against the backdrop of the latest report of the CARICOM Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security which signalled that collectively, Member States had achieved 57 per cent of the target to reduce the region’s high food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Heads will have engagements with special guests, including the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the heads of international financial and trade organisations. In announcing his attendance at the Summit Prime Minister Trudeau said: “Canada and the Caribbean Community share strong ties between our peoples, common values, and a strong commitment to fighting climate change. I look forward to meeting with the leaders of CARICOM to discuss how we can continue to work together to support the people of Haiti, strengthen the Caribbean region, and build a better future for people and businesses in Canada, the Caribbean, and around the world.”
In The Bahamas, which is celebrating its 50th Independence Anniversary this year, Heads of Government will be briefed on CARICOM’s own Golden Jubilee observances this year.
The Caribbean Community was established on July 4, 1973, with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. (CARICOM Today)