Mr. Chairman,
Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Barbados, Mr. Anthony Wood;
Other Ministers of Government,
Delegates,
Representatives of the media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this, the 40th session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council (CMC 40).
Mr. Chairman, Honourable Ministers and delegates, please allow me to extend warm wishes on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Mr. Edwin Carrington, for a successful and productive meeting which will focus on a range of issues fundamental to the further development of meteorological services in the Community for the 21st century.
I refer specifically to the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation Radar Project, which will engage your attention for part of this meeting.
I am indeed happy to observe that phase one of the CMO Radar Project got underway during the first half of this year. Preparations for phase II will begin in the early part of 2001. This European Union-funded project is rather timely. Today we meet to discuss the positive implications of this project as well as its capability for timely and accurate forecasts.
In the past, the Caribbean Region has had to rely on external sources to frequently and systematically access data with reference to the formation and tracking of hurricanes, and anticipated precipitation levels.
Mr. Chairman, the non-traditional behavioural patterns of hurricanes over the last few years, demand that we mobilise our disaster planners and national emergency services, and provide them with the necessary technological capabilities to give our people early warning signals.
This type of preparedness capability will undoubtedly add to the security of our population by helping to reduce the loss of life and damage to infrastructure, particularly to our tourism industry.
Just last year, Hurricane Lenny, formed west of the archipelago, battered the west coasts of most of our islands, destroying sea walls while putting a serious dent into our tourism and fisheries industries.
The rapid development of Hurricane Keith in Central America this year, defied the logic of weather forecasters who were given very little time to prepare the population for its onslaught.
It is for this reason, Mr. Chairman, why this forum is also important in terms of the sharing of technical information among our meteorologists. Access to such information could also restore investor confidence in our Region, and once again encourage insurance companies to maintain a healthy business presence in our Community.
In dealing with the phenomenon of global warming, climate change and sustainable development, we have to be cognizant of the fact that national economies of the Caribbean, and the regional economy by extension, face peculiar problems.
Apart from hurricanes, droughts and floods, which continue to underline the vulnerability of our small island states, recent and rapid changes in global institutions, the emergence of trade blocks and an increasingly liberal disposition to international commerce, have presented Caribbean countries with an economic enigma. The challenges of globalisation have compelled Member States of the Caribbean Community to strengthen the regional integration movement by forging ahead with strategic plans to establish a CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
Mr. Chairman, perhaps creation of the CSME is the most important challenge facing the Community today as we seek to create an environment for greater advantages for our people. Likewise, I hope this new CMO Radar Project provides an opportunity and enhance the ability of our meteorologists to unite around the common theme of sustainable development and regional integration.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you strive to carry out the mandate of your organisation, I urge you to be decisive in your deliberations, especially with the resolution of long outstanding issues. We must resolve to continue to work in the best interest of the people of the Region by making the next two days of deliberations strong planks in the decision-making process in advancing regional development.
Once again, I extend a hearty welcome to everyone and hope that at the end of the Meeting, we will have set new heights in fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of our Caribbean people.
