The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Government of Belize have agreed on a model framework through which the Prime Minister of Belize, who has responsibility for Sustainable Development issues throughout the Community, could effectively execute his mandate.
The programme outline was discussed during a two-day CARICOM Mission to Belize on 29 and 30 May 2000, to heighten interaction between the Secretariat and key sectors of the Belizean society, and to probe how the integration process is impacting on Belize.
The framework provides for a small unit of technical experts on Sustainable Development to be convened in Belmopan, the Belizean capital to work with the CARICOM Secretariat, Member States’s Ministries with responsibility for Environment and Sustainable Development issues and the Ministerial Councils.
Heads of Government at their last Inter-Sessional Meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis in March 2000, mandated the Prime Minister of Belize to spearhead action for the Region in the critical areas of Sustainable Development including environment and disaster management. The mandate falls within the newly constituted Quasi-Cabinet of Heads of Government coming out of the Inter-Sessional Heads Summit, and according to the allocation of portfolios among the Community’s leaders, Montserrat will be working in collaboration with Belize given its special interest in disaster management.
Secretariat staff have been assisting Belize in formulating a regional strategic plan, which would reflect the concerns of Member States regarding matters on the international sustainable development agenda.
According to Secretary-General Mr. Edwin Carrington, the Secretariat would be proposing similar frameworks to assist other Member States with the discharge of their responsibilities falling under their respective portfolios.
During the two-day visit, the CARICOM Mission also held discussions with representatives of the Belizean private sector to sensitise them on opportunities for investment under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); the present status of the proposed implementation of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ); and human and social development issues.
The teams also agreed on the process of preparation for Belize’s hosting of the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians (ACCP) in early November this year. This will be the Third Sitting of the ACCP, which brings together Government and Opposition parliamentarians to discuss critical issues affecting the Community.
Following through on a Heads of Government mandate in March, the CARICOM Mission briefed the Opposition Leader in Belize on developments on the regional agenda. They also participated in a series of live radio and television programmes, bringing Belizeans up to date on the spread of activities engaging the Secretariat and the wider Community.
