(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana) – Following the engagement between Heads of Government and Brazil’s President Lula DaSilva in Guyana last February, the country appointed a new ambassador who has pledged to address the potential of CARICOM-Brazil relations during her tenure.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, accredited Her Excellency Maria Cristina de Castro Martins, new Ambassador of Brazil to CARICOM, on Friday 12 April at the Community’s Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana.
In her statement Dr. Barnett said CARICOM-Brazil ties are “rooted in a shared history, geographical proximity and common interest in building a more prosperous, secure and peaceful Region.”
Noting that there is much scope for stronger collaboration and cooperation between CARICOM and Brazil, the Secretary-General underscored the Community’s desire for the meeting of the CARICOM-Brazil Joint Commission this year.
“CARICOM looks forward to convening the CARICOM-Brazil Joint Commission, the main implementing mechanism established under the Technical Cooperation Agreement, in 2024. With this platform of structured dialogue in place, we have a unique opportunity to advance our cooperation through regular engagement, and joint projects for a more robust and mutually beneficial partnership which should lead us to convening a Second Summit to engage on critical matters,” Dr. Barnett stated.
She reflected on President Lula’s visit to Guyana, noting that CARICOM Heads of Government welcomed the opportunity.
“The Community especially appreciated Brazil’s readiness to support efforts addressing priority issues for the Region, including climate change, food and energy security, regional security, intra-regional connectivity and sustainable development.”
Secretary-General Barnett added that CARICOM was grateful for the instrumental role Brazil played in facilitating the first Joint Commission between the Foreign Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela, in Brasilia, in keeping with the Argyle Declaration.
“Brazil’s influence in hemispheric and global platforms allows for significant support for the interests of the Global South. On this note, I commend Brazil’s willingness to leverage its current Presidency of the G20 to advocate on behalf of the small states of CARICOM, and to support efforts towards Haiti’s long-term recovery and development,” Dr. Barnett told the new ambassador of the South American country.
In her remarks, Ms Martins said,
“At this moment that I am taking up my role, I am conscious of the important and friendly relationship between Brazil and the Caribbean Community. It is my desire that the collaboration between Brazil and CARICOM will continue to be fruitful.”
