Prime Minister P.J. Patterson says developing countries must press ahead with plans to establish a working secretariat with the technical and professional competence to promote and defend their economic interests, matching if not surpassing the developed countries in efficiency and effectiveness. He pointed to the efforts of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an umbrella group representing the economic interests of developed states of the north, to blacklist several small countries citing harmful tax competition, as one battle that must be fought with a highly developed secretariat.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Twenty-First CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, which ends in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, Mr. Patterson said in light of this and other international economic threats to their survival, developing countries must respond in a properly coordinated way. He said financial commitments have been made by several members of the Group of 77 developing (G77) countries to undertake the necessary preparatory work for the creation of a South Commission to represent and defend the interests, and coordinate the activities of the developing (south) countries.
The Prime Minister reported that the CARICOM leaders took note of the decision of the South Summit which was held in Havana, Cuba in April to strengthen the collective negotiating capacity of the G77 countries. This includes improving their capacity to coordinate positions in other international fora and to implement the decisions, policies and programmes of the South Summit through the establishment of a South Coordinating Commission based on a restructured South Centre.
He noted that full and final support by the Caribbean for the proposed South Commission would depend on removing those reservations which had been expressed at the South Summit, and which are probably still being entertained by some south countries, including some in the Caribbean. These reservations, Mr. Patterson pointed out were not about the desirability of the proposed South Coordinating Commission – a principle supported by all – but rather about the exact structure, operation and scope of the organisation.
“I think all of us acknowledge the need for strengthening the technical capacity of the south and for improving our coordinating capacity to respond to the challenges of the international economic environment,” he told journalists covering the conference on the tiny island of Canouan.
Mr. Patterson reported that steps have been taken to begin the task of preparing a document that will indicate how the South Commission will work. This preparatory work is being undertaken by a group of five G77 Heads, who were entrusted with this responsibility by the Havana Summit. They are the Prime Minister of Jamaica, representing Latin America and the Caribbean; the President of South Africa, who is chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement; the President of Nigeria, the G77 chairman; the President of Algeria, also chairman of the Organisation of African Unity; and the Prime Minister of Malasia representing Asia.
Prime Minister Patterson added that some member countries of the G77 have made financial pledges sufficient to fund the preparation of the document. The document will be based on studies and consultations with various G77 members including his counterparts in CARICOM. The document, which will outline the modalities, structure, operating procedures and terms of reference of the proposed South Secretariat, is expected to be ready for presentation to the G77 Heads when they assemble for the Millennium Summit in New York in September.
Mr. Patterson said the work of the group responsible for the establishment of the South Commission, is being led by Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo. Sir Shridath Ramphal, the Chief Negotiator of CARICOM’s Regional Negotiating Machinery has been asked to serve on a voluntary basis as a special advisor to the Group spearheading the preparation of the document. This he added, is being seen by CARICOM leaders as an honour to the region.
Mr. Patterson stressed that Sir Shridath’s work will in no way impede his primary responsibility as CARICOM’s chief negotiator.
Office of the Prime Minister
Kingston, Jamaica
5 July, 2000
