(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is a distinct pleasure for me to address this Second High Level Forum on Korea-Caribbean Partnership between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Republic of Korea. It is a pleasure both because of the warm and friendly relations between the two sides and also because of the generous hospitality extended to us since our arrival here in this beautiful country. Having experienced the magnificent Yeosu Exposition yesterday and taken in some of your breathtaking scenery, it is a pity that our stay is so short. The beautiful coastal city of Yeosu made us feel very much at home, given the similarity of its coastline and mountains to that of many of our Member States.
This Second High-Level Forum is being convened with a view to seeking practical and productive ways for increasing cooperation between our countries. Noteworthy is the fact that this Forum takes place less than one year after the first which was held last October, demonstrating clearly the mutual interest in strengthening our relations.
While cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Member States of CARICOM have been on-going for many years, technical cooperation at the regional level, began in 2002 and was formalised with the signing of the Agreement for the Establishment of a Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism between the Caribbean Community and the Republic of Korea Cooperation in 2006. In doing so, we have also sought to deepen the level of mutual understanding between CARICOM and the Republic of Korea as well as promote tourism, investment and trade flows.
Today’s meeting provides the opportunity for us to share knowledge and experience in various areas ranging from e-Government, to Marine Environment Management to New and Renewable Energy. These subjects were carefully considered and chosen particularly to focus on the areas where CARICOM countries and the Republic of Korea have common interests. In so doing, it sets the stage for developing closer cooperation in these selected sectors.
Already there has been substantial assistance rendered by the Republic of Korea to the Community in the field of e-Government, and under the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD) progress has been made in this area. However, there is still much work to be done as our Member States are paying greater attention to adopting e-Government systems in their governance to enhance the delivery of government information and services to our people. It is our hope therefore for continued cooperation in this area which would allow for our e-government initiatives to be aided by the Republic of Korea’s technology and experience accumulated in the sector.
These e-Government initiatives are an important part of the CARICOM Regional Digital Development Strategy which seeks to ensure that our Community is fully prepared to be a part of the global knowledge society. A key player in co-ordinating these efforts is the CARICOM Secretariat which must be adequately equipped to perform the role expected of it in the roll-out of the Strategy. In that regard an upgrading of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems at the Secretariat is an urgent requirement if expectations are to be met.
Mr Chairman, as is much of the Caribbean Community, the Republic of Korea is also surrounded by the seas and no doubt shares our interests in striking a harmonized balance between exploiting marine resources for national development and maintaining surrounding seas and the ocean clean and safe. The Republic of Korea’s interest in resolving this dilemma is clearly evident in the choice of the theme of World Expo 2012 in Yeosu, “the Living Ocean and Coast’.
The Caribbean is more dependent upon tourism than any other part of the world, relative to its size. And as you are no doubt aware, a key factor in our tourism product is the pristine seas and beautiful beaches. The maintenance of the marine environment is therefore of paramount importance and we look forward to the exchange of ideas and exposure to new technologies which would enhance our ability to preserve our seas and our beaches.
Tourism is not the only sector in the marine area which requires our attention. Fishing is also a significant source of both income and subsistence for much of the population. We are quite aware of the importance of this sector to the Republic of Korea and of your country’s expertise. We welcome the opportunity for co-operation and collaboration in this area.
Both of these sectors are, however, directly threatened by environmental deterioration. With the impact of global climate change continuing, the agenda of marine environment conservation and management at the national and international levels, is a priority for our island states and low-lying coastal countries.
Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, developing new and renewable energy is of growing importance across the globe. Countries, including in the Caribbean Community, and the Republic of Korea have been actively seeking ways to increase their usage of renewable energy and ease their dependency on fossil fuels.
In CARICOM, our Member States are exploring, to various degrees, the use of solar, wind and geo-thermal sources of energy to exploit our climate and geographical advantages. Minister Kim, we are aware of your government’s keen interest in developing this area and of its involvement in a variety of international cooperation activities in the field. There are clearly, therefore, opportunities for both sides with respect to investment and knowledge sharing to our mutual benefit.
Hon. Ministers, Delegates, as we progress through today’s deliberations, the areas outlined above will form the substantive part of our dialogue. Given the importance to both sides of these issues, I have no doubt that at the end of our deliberations, we will conclude that it was a day well spent in furthering and deepening relations between the Caribbean Community and the Republic of Korea.
I thank you.
