(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARCOM) have endorsed the United Nations-led Pact for the Future which is viewed as the most-wide ranging international agreement in many years to safeguard the future of the global community.
The Pact for the Future which includes the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations was adopted on Sunday 22 September at the Summit of the Future, a global forum to coalesce multilateral efforts around some of the most pressing issues in the global environment.
Held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 22-23 September, ahead of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Summit heard several CARICOM Heads of Government making impassioned pleas for actions to address the concerns of developing countries.
Peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation and human rights are among the issues covered in the wide-ranging Pact which also includes commitments to improve the effectiveness of representation of the United Nations Security Council.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, one of the first CARICOM speakers at the Summit said his country is proud to have contributed to the historic process as he congratulated the co-facilitators of the Pact.
“This Summit and the Pact together embody renewed hope for advancing a common vision on leveraging multilateralism to create a dynamic framework within which our future generations will thrive,” the Jamaica Prime Minister stated.
Hailing the Pact as an historic opportunity, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, said while the multilateral system has been “ailing for far longer that many have wished to acknowledge,” it is “now poised to finally make surgical incisions that can aid healing at a fundamental level.”
“For the better part of a decade we have been limping towards the goal of the 2030 Agenda. Notwithstanding the difficulties faced along the way, I commend the tireless efforts to achieve A Pact for the Future, which aims to re-align us to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and make the UN fit-for-purpose,” the Prime Minister stated.
In her address, Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley reflected on the remarkable achievements of past generations which ended wars, dismantled slavery, ended apartheid, stopped genocide, gave women the right to vote, ended colonialism, built new nation states and generated prosperity out of deep poverty.
“I ask you today, will we summon the great moral strategic leadership necessary,” to build a future based on shared hope, the Barbados Prime Minister asked the United Nations.
The imperative task for the global community with the adoption of the Pact, is to move from ambition to action, President of Guyana, H.E. Dr. Irfaan Ali said in his presentation which also called for “actions that create an ecosystem of harmony between the environment, people, planet and technology. But most of all that promote human dignity.”
Belize’s Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño echoed the call for the global community to ensure the dignity of people, noting,
“We need to reimagine and remake this world into one that is just, secure, and that will endure. One in which every voice matters, bringing the voices from the margins to the centre- the voices of young people, women, indigenous people and the voices of countries like my own, the Small Island Developing States. There should be benchmarks for collective decision and ambition because a better tomorrow can only be realized if solutions respond to the most urgent needs, their needs.”
President of Suriname, H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, repeated the need for concerted actions following the adoption of the Pact for the Future.
“Today, I find myself, reminding ourselves, of the reality that many of the commitments, and declarations made today echo those that have been voiced time and time again. Therefore, our first decisive action must be to deliver on the promises and pledges made. We must act now, with urgency to make this world a better place,” President Santokhi stated.
On sustainable development, climate and financing for development, the Pact for the Future agreed that developing countries must have a greater say in decisions in international financial institutions. At the same time, it also underscores a key interest of CARICOM, that is, multilateral development banks needing to leverage more financing to help developing countries meet their development needs.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Hon. Gaston Browne reminded the Summit that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) met recently in Antigua and Barbuda and laid out the future that they want in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.
“It is time for the International Community to be as bold as SIDS and to shift focus, not just to sustain our damaged eco-system, but also to ensure equity and fairness, providing financial justice for all. I call upon leaders and policy makers to commit to an international financial architecture that bridges gaps and alleviates inequalities and foster sustainable development.
He left a strong message as temperatures reach new highs more frequently than ever before.
“Temperature records are broken almost daily. Hurricanes, floods and droughts ravage our lands, while mangroves and tropical forest, crucial to our planetary biodiversity and balance are being obliterated. By making infinite demands on a finite planet, we are transforming our once hospitable home into a hostile environment. This is our moment to change course, to future-proof our burning planter from ultimate destruction,” the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister urged the United Nations.
The Pact for the Future commits to a review of the sovereign debt architecture to ensure developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future. It is intended to strengthen the global financial safety net in event of any financial and economic shocks through concrete actions by the International Monetary Fund.
In this context, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas, Hon. Frederick A Mitchell called attention to the hindrances that Caribbean countries face with developing financial sustainability.
“Every time the Caribbean region tries to use the provisions of the market to save ourselves, the response from the powerful is to use their laws and other forms of coercion to ensure our innovations into the market do not succeed. They often use the moral principle that they are preventing money laundering, tax evasion and some other invented evil. But Morality works both ways,” the Minister stated in his country’s presentation.
Calling for collective action to transform global governance, Saint Lucia’s Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation, Hon. Alva Baptiste told the Summit,
“We have the power to transform global governance to respond to a rapidly changing global environment. Saint Lucia’s aspirations for the future are focused on meaningful sustainable development with a deliberate emphasis on people at the centre of development and creating opportunities for the youth.
We are committed to doing our part and look to the multilateral system for the necessary support. Our most valiant national effort and ambition, continue to be hampered by economic, social, environmental as well as geopolitical threats that are too immense, they can only be ameliorated by a reenergised enabling environment that gives meaningful effect to our sustainable development,” Minister Baptiste stated.
In respect of climate change, the Pact also commits to the acceleration of measures to address the phenomenon, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt and invest in renewable energy.
The Digital Global Compact is viewed as a comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance to design, use and govern technology for the benefit of all. This includes commitments by governments to connect all people, schools and hospital to the internet, to anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law, and to make online spaces safe, especially for children.
Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, Senator the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, in his presentation, noted that his country recognises the role of science, technology and innovation for the global community to achieve sustainable development.
At the same time, he cautioned about the risks associated with the high dependence on technology and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.
“Therefore, as a small developing state, we are not only advocating for cooperation aimed at bridging the digital divide, but also for strengthening our capacity in cybersecurity to address those risks,” Dr. Browne stated.
Looking towards the future, the Declaration on Future Generations agrees on steps to account for future generations in decision-making, and to create more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in decisions that shape their lives.
Adding credence to this goal, Dr. Browne said, “young people are key stakeholders in our pursuit of sustainable development. Consequently, we must ensure that they are equipped with the necessary tools and provided with the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Dominica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Philbert Aaron welcomed the Pact for the Future, noting “if there was any time to coalesce and close ranks around multilateral fixes that will deliver a better tomorrow, that time is now.”
The theme of multilateralism also resonated in remarks delivered by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Joyelle Clarke who stated,
“We must redefine multilateral spaces. We must promote unbiased international partnerships that honour the strength and resilience and tenacity of small islands.”