The Twenty-Third Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in Georgetown, Guyana, on 3-5 July 2002.
It was presided over by H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
Other Heads of Government in attendance were Hon. Lester B. Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas; Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize; Dr the Hon Keith C. Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; H.E. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, President of the Republic of Haiti; Rt. Hon. Percival J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica; Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis; Dr. the Hon. Kenny D. Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; H.E. Runaldo R. Venetiaan, President of the Republic of Suriname; and Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Hon. Billie Miller, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, represented Barbados. The Hon. Derek Taylor, Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands, also attended.
OPENING CEREMONY
In his introductory remarks at the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Edwin W. Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, pointed out that the Caribbean Community was the longest surviving functioning integration grouping among developing countries in the world as it moves towards its 30th Anniversary in 2003.
The Secretary-General suggested that the Community should give itself a birthday present at that time by completing the signature and ratification of all the instruments relating to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as well as by passing them into national law.
In his maiden address to the Conference, the Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, reaffirmed his country's commitment to CARICOM. Mr Christie emphasised that the process of strengthening that relationship was entwined with his Government's commitment to a national agenda based on continuous consultation.
“Integration”, he said, “must not only be led from above by the political directorate. All of our peoples must be able to see, hear, feel CARICOM, its leaders and institutions, as living, not as an intellectual idea removed from their daily lives. For CARICOM to succeed, our people must see CARICOM's success as tied to their own”, he added
The Hon. Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, in his address, outlined a proposal to supply natural gas to Member States. Participating States would enjoy a 30% reduction in energy costs. This proposal envisages the installation of a pipeline from Trinidad and Tobago extending some distance up the island chain as well as the use of compressed natural gas.
The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister also stressed the need to review the Community's institutions to increase their effectiveness in discharging their mandates.
Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize and Outgoing Chairman of the Conference, reviewed his stewardship of the Community during the first half of the year. He also emphasised in his address that the supreme objective of the integration of the Region was “to enhance the quality of life of our peoples”.
The Prime Minister focused on the problem of poverty in his address. He pointed out that two years after the Millennium Declaration set the goal of halving world poverty by 2015, there were more poor people today than there were at the time of the Declaration.
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Dr the Hon Kenny D. Anthony, stressed in his address, the need for greater engagement of the people of the Region and highlighted for special consideration the economic recession that has gripped the countries of the Eastern Caribbean during the past decade.
“Surely anyone who understands the dynamics of the regional economy will know that the difficulties currently being experienced by the OECS will be transmitted through the Regional Market to non-OECS members of CARICOM”, he added.
H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana and Chairman of the Conference, noted in his feature address the need to promote a larger vision of the Caribbean by projecting “the reach of CARICOM beyond its geographic confines”. Belize, Guyana and Suriname could serve as important gateways for the Community's trade and economic relations with central and South America.
The President indicated a number of issues on which he proposed to focus during their tenure. Among these were the formulation of a common agricultural policy, a review of regional institutions, and a common approach to the problems of crime and insecurity in the Region. In this regard, the President noted that this problem was holding the people and the economies to ransom and had to be addressed “promptly and fully at this meeting”.
MEMBERSHIP
Haiti
Accession of Haiti to the Caribbean Community
Heads of Government welcomed the deposit of the Instrument of Accession by Haiti for membership of the Caribbean Community. The Conference admitted the Republic of Haiti as the fifteenth Member State of the Caribbean Community.
Heads of Government welcomed and accepted the invitation extended by the President of Haiti for a delegation led by the Chairman of the Conference to visit Haiti before the end of the year in recognition of Haiti's membership of the Community.
Heads of Government noted the observation made by the President of Haiti in which he emphasised the importance of developing economic and cultural links as part of the process of inter-relationship between Haiti and the rest of the Community. In this regard, they noted the importance of celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Haiti's Flag Day in 2003 and a similar celebration of its independence in 2004.
Cayman Islands
Heads of Government welcomed the Cayman Islands as the fourth Associate Member of the Community.
THE STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
Heads of Government took the opportunity to review the state of the Community as it approached its 30th anniversary. In so doing, they focused on specific issues of particular importance to the people of the Region.
Regional Economy
Heads of Government devoted a great deal of time to considering the economic situation of the Community and its impact upon the lives of their people. They declared their awareness of the depth of the problem which has arisen, in large measure from factors outside their control. These include the reduced access to the European Union Banana Market; the economic recession in the USA and the negative impact of the events of September 11, 2001, in particular on the tourism sector; the adverse effect of the OECD Harmful Taxation Initiative on the investment climate in Member States and the rapid decline in overseas development assistance.
They were conscious of the limited opportunities open to their countries due to their size and limited resources in this period of economic transition. They noted that Governments may have to introduce measures which may require sacrifices from their peoples. Nonetheless, they expressed their determination to address the challenges posed to their countries with vigour and creativity. In this connection, they agreed to appoint a Technical Team. The Heads will meet in Saint Lucia, in special session, on 16 August 2002 to further discuss the state of the regional economy. The recommendations of the Technical Team will be considered in the elaboration of a programme to revive the regional economy and to build a foundation for future development. To facilitate their work at the special session, they established a technical committee to develop with urgency, proposals for a regional stabilization programme including a Stabilization Fund.
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)
The Conference reviewed the pace of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and all Heads of Government agreed that there must be a more urgent and comprehensive effort to fully establish the CSME. Cognisance was taken of the recommendations from the Caribbean Transnational Conference held in Jamaica on 18-22 April 2002 and from Civil Society in its encounter immediately preceding the Meeting of the Conference on the implementation of the CSME.
The Conference determined that a Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CSME would meet on 17 August 2002 in Saint Lucia to deal with the issues important to the speedy implementation of the CSME.
Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
The Conference agreed on immediate measures to inaugurate the Court by the second half of 2003. The Heads of Government were deeply concerned that the Court should be financially sustainable and independent. Therefore among the measures adopted was the establishment of a Trust Fund with a one-time settlement of one hundred million United States dollars (US$100,000,000.00) to finance the Court. The Conference authorised the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to raise the funds on international capital markets. Member States could then access these funds to meet their assessed contribution towards the financing of the Court.
The President of the CDB will report to the Fourteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of Conference on his efforts to raise the resources.
While noting that some countries are required to hold referenda on aspects of the jurisdiction of the Court, the Conference reiterated its earlier decision that Member States should put in place the legislative and regulatory measures required for the Court to become operational as early as possible.
In arriving at these decisions the Heads of Government acknowledged the clearly expressed desire of the Region's citizens, that Member States should move speedily to complete the process of political independence and their desire to broaden access to justice for the Caribbean people. They also noted that the CCJ was critical to the success of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
Heads of Government noted the recent statement by the Fifth Meeting of the Heads of the Judiciary of the Commonwealth Caribbean calling on this Conference to move expeditiously to establish the Court on a financially sustainable basis. Heads also requested the Preparatory Committee to continue the administrative work towards the establishment of the Court.
Heads of Government commended the example set by the Dr. the Hon. Kenny D. Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Head of Government with Lead responsibility for Justice and Governance whose country was the first to deposit its Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement establishing the CCJ.
Heads of Government agreed to issue a Statement.
Tourism
Heads of Government received a report from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the Caribbean Hotel Association on the development of the strategic plan for re-positioning the Tourism Industry and a Sustainable Tourism Development Fund. They accepted broadly the strategic plan but gave Member States until 31 July 2002 to submit any proposal for refinement. The Plan will be published immediately thereafter.
Heads of Government mandated the private and public sector representatives to conclude consultations on the Sustainable Tourism Development Fund and submit recommendations to the Council for Finance and Planning in September 2002.
HUMAN AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Follow-up to the Nassau Declaration B The Health of the Region is the Wealth of the Region
In the Nassau Declaration, the Health of the Region is the Wealth of the Region (The Bahamas 2001), Caribbean Heads of Government established specific targets and time frames for the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP). In keeping with these guidelines, PANCAP has scaled up its response, especially in the area of treatment and care. Regional negotiations with pharmaceutical companies for cheaper anti-retroviral drugs have yielded significant reductions in prices ranging from 50-85%. These regional negotiations initiated in Jamaica in February 2002 were followed up in Geneva at the World Health Assembly (May 2002) and subsequently in The Bahamas (June 2002).
The Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Health (including HIV/AIDS) and Human Resource Development, will sign an Agreement of Principles with the pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the Pan Caribbean Partnership at the International HIV/AIDS Conference in Barcelona on 10 July 2002.
PANCAP is currently preparing a Regional proposal to access financing for its regional programme from the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, tubercolosis and malaria to implement its regional programme.
Heads of Government expressed their gratitude to the donor countries and institutions that have provided support to the Region.
Crime and Security
Heads of Government received the presentation by the Chairman of the Regional Task Force on Crime and Security which was established at their 22nd Meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas in July 2001. Having considered the Report, they agreed to issue a Statement which is attached to this Communique.
Science & Technology: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Including E-Commerce
With respect to Science & Technology, the Heads of Government recognised the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for enhancing and integrating our societies in areas such as education, health, poverty reduction, delivery of public information and governance – objectives articulated in the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society. They also noted the potential for transforming our economic landscape, growing the CSME and advancing the regional trade agenda, by increasing competitiveness in services and seizing opportunities offered by e-commerce. The Heads are however not unmindful of increasing challenges the digital revolution has posed to smaller economies such as ours, underscoring the need for a regional approach.
Noting the policies and programmes already being implemented at the national and sub regional levels, and receiving recommendations from a special ministerial meeting on these matters, the Heads of Government agreed that through an agreed process, a regional ICT strategy would be finalized and submitted for their consideration at the Fourteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting, scheduled for early 2003. It was also agreed that CARICOM would further pursue meaningful participation in hemispheric and other global policy-making fora on the global information society.
Cricket
Heads of Government strongly supported the plans put forward by the Windies World Cup (WWC) for the staging of World Cup 2007, having received a report from the Chief Executive Officer of Windies World Cup, the agency designated to manage the event.
The event will require intensive planning and coordination as well as the provision of venues and facilities, which host countries will have to supply in keeping with specific requirements set down by the International Cricket Council.
Heads of Government requested a further meeting between representatives of the WWC, West Indies Cricket Board and the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket to follow up on some of the issues requiring the attention of CARICOM Governments.
Award of the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC)
Heads of Government approved the recommendations that the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) be conferred on the following individuals who have contributed to forging a stronger Caribbean identity, promoted the excellence of the Caribbean internationally, and raised the self-esteem of the people of the Caribbean through work in their respective fields:
Dame Eugenia Charles
Sir John Compton
Mr. Lloyd Best
GOVERNANCE
Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the high standards of democracy and good governance and the rule of law for which the Community has been traditionally recognised. In this regard, they mandated the Secretariat to prepare a Paper reviewing a number of instruments relating to Governance, including the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society (Article XVII), the Commonwealth Harare Principles and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, with a view to determining a common set of principles on governance from a CARICOM perspective.
Political Crisis in Haiti
Heads of Government received a report from the Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia, joint leader of the CARICOM/OAS Mission to Haiti.
The Minister highlighted the efforts which have been made by the OAS and CARICOM aimed at facilitating an environment conducive to a return to normalcy in Haiti. He informed the Conference of the positive steps being taken by the Government of Haiti which had sought to implement the undertakings urged upon it by the international community and the opposition parties in Haiti. They urged the political parties in Haiti to complete negotiations on the Initial Accord so that the agreement could be signed without further delay thus allowing the release of much needed financial and other resources from the international financial institutions and the donor community for the development of Haiti. They noted that in an effort to conclude an agreement, the Joint OAS-CARICOM Mission would return to Haiti shortly.
Heads of Government noted that the Commission of Inquiry established under the aegis of the OAS had completed its work and that its report is available to the public at large. They welcomed the news that the Government of Haiti will ensure that payment is made on the reparations being sought and recommended by the Advisory Council on Reparations also established under the aegis of the OAS with regard to the incidents of 17 December 2001.
They also noted that security and the need for disarmament remain critical issues which will require the support of the international community.
Heads of Government recognised the work to be undertaken by the OAS Special Mission to Haiti. The Mission will focus on security; justice; human rights and democratic development, governance and institution building. They noted that support for this Mission had been received from a large number of countries and organisations including the Caribbean Community and its member states, underlining the international response to developments in Haiti.
Heads of Government reiterated their calls on the international community for the release of much needed funds for Haiti.
CIVIL SOCIETY ENCOUNTER: FORWARD TOGETHER
Following the agreement taken at the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference in Belize in February 2002, Heads of Government participated in the discussions with Civil Society during the Encounter: Forward Together which took place on the morning of Wednesday, 3 July; and received the Summary Report and the recommendations of the Civil Society Conference held in Guyana on 2-3 July 2002.
The Civil Society Encounter: Forward Together held on 2-3 July 2002 was attended by approximately 150 representatives of Civil Society, 11 Heads of Government and representatives of regional institutions, including: the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), the University of West Indies (UWI) and the University of Guyana (UG).
NGOs representing the interests of women, youth and people with disabilities as well as the Private Sector and Trade Unions/Labour made recommendations on Human Resource Development with Equity; CSME and Competitiveness; and Governance and Participation which were considered by the Heads of Government on 3 July 2002.
Recognising the challenges to the Caribbean and the vital role which Civil Society in partnership with Governments can play in developing and implementing appropriate response to these challenges, consensus was reached on the Liliendaal Statement of Principles on Forward Together which is attached to this Communique.
Heads of Government expressed their gratitude to the donor countries and institutions that provided support for this important Regional undertaking.
THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA
CARICOM Heads of Government reviewed their participation in international fora addressing social, economic, commercial and cultural issues that impact directly on the sustainable development of all Member States. CARICOM Heads of Government raised with their respective colleagues at the hemispheric and international levels the promotion of the agenda for small states, the need for special and differential treatment for small economies in the context of liberalisation of the global economy, recognition of the multifaceted nature of security threats to the socio-economic fabric of the Community (HIV/AIDS, environmental issues, poverty, natural disasters, narco-trafficking, trans-national organised crime), as well as the need for coherence in the trade and developmental policies of the industrialised world towards developing countries. These discussions were held in fora ranging from the High-level meetings with the President of the United States, the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and Canada, the Third Summit of the Association of Caribbean States, the First CARICOM-SICA Summit, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Rio Group Summit, the Second CARICOM – Spain and the Second European Union/Latin America and the Caribbean Summits and the World Food Summit.
Heads of Government also expressed concern that the requested level of assistance for developing countries was not forthcoming at developmental type international summits and conferences such as the International Conference on Financing for Development (March 2002) and the World Food Summit B Five Years Later (May 2002). They expressed the hope that this trend would change at the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and that adequate means would be provided for the effective implementation of the Plan of Action to be adopted at that Summit.
Heads of Government engaged in an exchange of views on issues of regional and international importance with the Secretaries-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the African, Pacific and Caribbean Group (ACP), the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Heads of Government reviewed with the Director-General of the FAO, the global issue of food security following the recent World Food Summit and more specifically food security in the Caribbean. They were concerned at the prospect for increasing food insecurity. Heads of Government therefore gave their full support to the initiative to develop a CARIFORUM Special Programme for Food Security.
Heads of Government discussed with the Secretary-General of the ACP, developments in the preparation for negotiations with the European Union for the new economic relationship after 2007. They stressed the need to maintain the solidarity of the ACP and to that end welcomed the Third Meeting of the Heads of Government of the ACP in Nadi, Fiji, on 18-19 July 2002.
Heads of Government received a Report from the Secretary-General on developments in the Commonwealth since the Meeting in Australia. They were pleased with the effort of the Commonwealth Secretariat to advance the interest of Small States and requested the CARICOM Secretariat to study and advise them on the proposal on “Lowering the Threshold: Reducing the Costs and Risk of Private Direct Investment to Less Developed Countries and Small Vulnerable Economies”.
Heads of Government held frank discussions with the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on issues pertaining to democracy and good governance, Haiti, security, as well as trade matters being addressed within the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) that are of concern to CARICOM Member States. The Secretary-General commended Barbados on hosting what he termed the best OAS General Assembly in terms of the cultural, logistical and preparatory aspects at which the multidimensional nature of hemispheric security, including non-traditional threats was accepted. Continued CARICOM coordination on this issue will be required in preparation for the 2003 Conference on Hemispheric Security to take place in Mexico.
In their exchange of views with the Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Heads of Government discussed issues of particular interest to the Community pertaining to tourism and air transport, private sector interests and the importance of promoting the principles agreed to at the Third Summit of the ACS (December 2001).
External Negotiations
Heads of Government reviewed the Region's preparations in relation to the commencement of ACP-EU negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), its involvement in the process to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005, and Post-Doha negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the economies of CARICOM countries.
They noted the quickening pace of international negotiations, emphasised the requirement for coherence in the Region's positions in all negotiating theatres with due regard to sequencing in making commitments. They recognised that negotiations are assuming increasing technical complexity with political implications requiring increased deployment of expertise and other resources.
Heads of Government stressed the importance of the WTO negotiations which will serve as the basis for all trade agreements. They reiterated the need for active participation by Member States in the revision of WTO rules particularly as they relate to regional trade agreements, to the development of provisions on special and differential treatment for developing countries and to the Work Programme on Small Economies. They also underlined the necessity for the multilateral trading system to ensure an equitable distribution of the gains from multilateral trade liberalisation to enable small developing countries to reap development benefits.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to the preservation of ACP unity and solidarity in pursuing the best interests of the small vulnerable states of the Region in the negotiations with the European Union (EU). They expressed satisfaction and support for the negotiating guidelines recently adopted by the ACP Council of Ministers in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in view of the formal launching of the ACP-EU EPA negotiations scheduled for 27 September 2002 in Brussels. In this context they highlighted the importance of participating in the ACP Summit which takes place in Fiji on 18-19 July 2002.
Heads of Government noted that the FTAA process has reached a critical stage of negotiating the details of an eventual agreement. They resolved to continue the Region's involvement in the FTAA process on conditions which take due account of the capacity limitations of CARICOM Member States as small economies to meet deadlines and engage in liberalisation commitments.
Heads of Government reviewed the status of bilateral trade agreements and negotiations and reiterated their intention to quicken the pace of the negotiating process for enhanced trade relations with Canada. They also agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with Costa Rica based on the existing Draft Agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica.
Candidatures
Heads of Government endorsed the following major candidatures:
(i) Trinidad and Tobago's bid to be the site of the Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA);
(ii) Saint Lucia for the Presidency of United Nations General Assembly (2003-2004) at elections to be held during 58th UNGA in September 2003;
BORDER RELATIONS
Belize/Guatemala
Heads of Government received a report from the Prime Minister of Belize on the progress of the Facilitation Process under the auspices of the Organisation of American States to achieve a definitive settlement of Guatemala's territorial claim to Belize.
They noted that the Facilitators are expected to submit their proposals for settlement for the consideration of both governments.
They encouraged both parties to continue their commitment to work towards a definitive settlement and reiterated their firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Belize.
Guyana/Venezuela
The Conference welcomed the efforts of Guyana and Venezuela to improve their bilateral relations as exemplified by the accession of Guyana to the Caracas Energy Cooperation Agreement in December 2001 and the convening of the Second Meeting of the Guyana-Venezuela High-Level Bilateral Commission earlier this year.
Heads of Government noted with satisfaction the renewed commitment of the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela to the Good Offices of the United Nations Secretary-General. They reaffirmed their support for the territorial integrity of Guyana and its sovereign right to develop all of its territory.
OECS/Venezuela (Bird Rock)
With respect to the OECS/Venezuela (Bird Rock) issue, it was noted that at the Fifth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) , Ministers agreed that there was need for further legal and technical work to be done to inform CARICOM=s strategy and approach. The OECS Secretariat, at the request of the COFCOR, transmitted pertinent documentation to the CARICOM Secretariat and will cooperate in further consultations for this analysis to be undertaken.
Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their commitment to the development of an appropriate strategy in relation to Bird Rock, particularly in the interest of the OECS countries.
FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY
Recalling that one of the objectives of the Treaty of Chaguaramas is the coordination of foreign policy and acknowledging that the thrust towards the establishment of a Single Market and Economy (CSME) would require increased coordination and harmonisation of foreign policy issues, Heads of Government endorsed the revised foreign policy strategy which was submitted from the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR). The revised foreign policy strategy focuses on the fundamental principles that govern foreign policy coordination and execution, a CARICOM World View, global projections, community priority areas and issues and the mechanisms to be used by the Community in carrying forward the strategy.
REQUEST FOR CLOSER RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY
Heads of Government welcomed the expression of interest expressed by Puerto Rico and Cuba in developing closer ties with the Community.
THE COMMUNITY AT 30 (1973-2003)
Heads of Government noted that the year 2003 would mark a major milestone in the life of CARICOM B the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the Caribbean Community and Common Market. The Treaty was signed on 4 July 1973, in honour of the birthday of Norman Washington Manley, a leading advocate of the West Indies Federation and one of Jamaica's national heroes. The Treaty and its Annex (setting out the details of the Caribbean Common Market Arrangements) came into effect on 1 August 1973.
During this first generation of the Community's existence, there have been significant changes within CARICOM, the wider Caribbean and internationally.
Heads of Government agreed to undertake a discussion on the Community at 30 at their Fourteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting with a view to determining a framework for further progress.
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THE LILIENDAAL STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON 'FORWARD TOGETHER'
The Civil Society Forward Together Conference, a historic consultation between the representatives of Civil Society in the 15 Member States of the Caribbean Community and the Heads of Government held at the Ocean View Hotel, Liliendaal, Guyana on 2-3 July 2002:
RECOGNISED the increased challenges to the Caribbean Community, posed by globalisation and the resulting complex economic, trade, environmental, social and legal issues.
DEEPLY CONCERNED about social conditions prevailing in the Community with regard to increasing transnational crime linked to trafficking in illicit arms and drugs; money laundering; the widening negative impact of terrorism; the migration of scarce skills; racism; ethnic insecurity, the high incidence of male dropouts; increased violence against women and children; persistent and increasing poverty, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic eroding the Region's human capital.
ALSO RECOGNISED that the objective of achieving the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) is not only a response to globalisation, including the impending Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), but is of the greatest value for a more coordinated system to enhance the Region's competitiveness, given our historical realities.
ACKNOWLEDGED that Civil Society has a vital role to play in the development of regional, political and social policies, the development of those programmes and frameworks currently in existence, their modification, where necessary, and the creation of new areas as required.
CONSIDERED that the establishment of mechanisms for continuous dialogue between the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and Civil Society is an essential way to complement relevant programmes to ensure social reconstruction, cohesiveness, peace, poverty reduction, and equity that would enhance regional integration and make the Community more economically viable.
AFFIRMED in this context, the importance of programmes with regard to youth, labour, the elderly, people with disabilities, women, men and gender relations; sport, labour, education and training, health and access to technology; and programmes aimed at promoting respect for the rights and aspirations of our indigenous peoples.
AGREED on several broad principles for strengthening the relationships between the Caribbean Heads of Governments and national governments and the Civil Society as follows to –
Institutionalise the Forward Together process in the form of more regular engagements between the Civil Society and the Heads of Government, a triennial engagement as suggested;
Emphasize the need for more constructive participation of Civil Society representatives in appropriate decisions making Organs of the Community such as the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP), the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), etc;
Establish a Task Force, comprising a small representative group of the Civil Society, coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat, to develop a comprehensive regional strategic framework for carrying forward the main recommendations of Forward Together Conference and report to the Conference of Heads of Government at its next Inter-Sessional Meeting in 2003.
The work of the Task Force should be guided by the recommendations of the three Working Groups at the Forward Together Conference –
(i) Human Resource Development with Equity, including issues in relation to Gender, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Migration and the Diaspora;
(ii) Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) – Capital Investment and requirements for competitiveness; and
(iii) Governance and Participation.
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STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN GUYANA
Heads of Government were greatly disturbed by the acts of violence committed on July 3, 2002 by bands of persons who flouted the law with the intent of creating social disorder.
They strongly condemned the attack on the Office of the President and the criminal acts which led regrettably to assaults on innocent persons, loss of life and the destruction of property in the city.
They reiterated their commitment to uphold and respect the traditional democratic values of the Community. Among these values is the commitment to respect for the institutions of Government and to the holding of periodic elections for the people to determine the government of their choice.
In this context, they recalled that CARICOM, along with a number of highly reputable international organizations and other entities had observed the last election held in Guyana and had found that it had been freely and fairly conducted. It was therefore their view that the result should be fully accepted.
Heads of Government reiterated their condemnation of any attempt to use extra-constitutional and illegal means aimed at removing democratically elected Governments from office. Such actions were contrary to several international resolutions, including the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which have been agreed upon by all hemispheric states.
Heads of Government reaffirmed the need for all parties to adhere to the principles of the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of controversies through dialogue and negotiation.
Georgetown, Guyana
July 5, 2002
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STATEMENT ON REPORT OF THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON CRIME AND SECURITY
Recognising that security threats, concerns and challenges in the hemispheric context are multidimensional, the Regional Task Force on Crime and Security sought to find a formula to ensure more effective, preemptive and response measures to the upsurge in crime and threats to security, at the national and regional levels.
Since some of the fundamental causes of crime in our societies revolve around poverty, inequality and social marginalisation, and are fueled by illegal firearms and ammunition, deportees, drug trafficking and corruption, the Conference of Heads of Government endorsed the Task Force's recommendations on the need for a developmental and multi-sectoral approach through public policy planning and execution of crime prevention initiatives over a long term.
In addressing the immediate needs to arrest the escalating levels of crime and violence the Conference agreed on the following initiatives, which were recommended by the Task Force:
1. Establishment of broad-based National Commissions on Law and Order;
2. Preparation and implementation of National Anti-Crime Master Plans;
3. Strengthening of border control measures especially at seaports and airports;
4. Strengthening the Information and Intelligence exchange regime as an essential element in the fight against illegal drugs, firearms and terrorism;
5. Implementation of an aggressive programme aimed at taking guns off the streets;
6. Establishment of a Regional Mutual Legal Assistance Regime; and a Regional Exchange of Prisoners Agreement;
7. Engagement of the International Community in discussions regarding mutual support for our crime control efforts and a critical review of the existing policy against illegal drugs.
The Conference of Heads also recognized the need for further scientific investigations with a view to arriving at a clearer understanding of the values that underlie the social choices that lead to criminal behaviour and endorsed the recommendation of the Joint Meeting of Attorneys General and Ministers responsible for National Security which in reviewing the report prior to its submission, called for more work to be done to ascertain the types of societal values and attitudes which result in behaviour breaching the Rule of Law. Aware of some of these contradictions, the Joint Meeting of Ministers recommended that drug abuse be treated primarily as a public health issue with emphasis on the reinforcement of values. The Conference of Heads endorsed this.
Since the deepening of the integration process through the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy renders the Region more vulnerable because of the freer movement of capital, people, goods and services, the Conference reiterated its commitment to the international fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and transnational organized crime.
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STATEMENT ON THE CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
The 23rd Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community recalled the initiative taken at its Meeting in 1998 to establish a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final step towards the completion of political independence and affirmation of sovereignty. They stressed the historic significance of the unanimous decision taken at the present session of the Conference which paved the way for the establishment of the Court and for making it operational by the second half of 2003.
2. In this context, Conference determined to establish a Trust Fund capitalised in the amount of US$100m, the proceeds of which would defray the expenses of the Court on a financially sustainable basis and which would guarantee its complete independence.
3. The Conference also recognised the critical role of the Court in the efficient functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and, in particular, in guaranteeing certainty in the applicable norms, which is indispensable for macro-economic stability and foreign direct investment in the Community.
4. The Conference further determined that the establishment of the Court would replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the Final Court of Appeal and enhance access to justice by all citizens of the Caribbean. Heads of Government also reflected on the doctrinal disposition of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in recent years to reverse its decisions with unacceptable regularity thereby contributing to uncertainty in the law and erosion of confidence in the administration of justice. The Heads were convinced that the establishment of the Court would ensure greater certainty in the law and promote the further development of Caribbean jurisprudence.
