(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is always a singular pleasure to accredit plenipotentiary representatives of Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). One has the comfortable feeling that one is welcoming a close relative home to talk about family matters, and Barbados, a founding father, is undoubtedly a very integral part of the CARICOM family.
Your accreditation, Ambassador, reinforces to the people of our Community and beyond, that CARICOM Member States are committed to the integration project, sold on the conviction that together we will fare better than if we attempted to make it alone. This is not merely a belief, it is an unavoidable fact and in the context of the numerous global challenges that assault us, it is, I believe, a comforting fact. For consider what would be the fate of the small developing states of CARICOM standing alone before the seemingly inexorable onslaught of climate change threats, rising insecurity, global financial and economic crises, increasingly complicated and demanding global political agenda and high indebtedness. Could any CARICOM Member State say with certainty that one or other development partner truly understands or hears when we speak individually? There is no denying that when we speak as 15 voices united on a single position, we are that much more effective.
Ambassador, Barbados holds responsibility for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in the quasi cabinet of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government. Your country and its leaders have been champions of our common aspirations in respect of regional economic development through their stewardship over the establishment and operation of the CSME.
The countries of the Community must counter the characteristics inherent in their very nature as small, open, vulnerable economies, as they seek to increase their productivity and meaningfully integrate into the global economy.
Our countries must also deal with the external factors which exacerbate our economic vulnerabilities, not least, the removal of non-reciprocal trade preferences and of course the historical trend of emigration of our skilled labour force.
The Community has endeavoured to address these inherent and exogenous challenges to economic growth and stability by leveraging its assets: creative and educated people; competitive, and in some cases, world class services and goods; and its geographic position among others. We are therefore convinced that the CSME is the means to achieve sustainable economic development of our Region and we are committed to that enterprise.
As we move to deepen our economic integration, the challenges in so doing become more formidable and require your country’s continuing guidance and leadership. A heavy responsibility no doubt, but with the support of the other states, it is a shared responsibility with shared advantages.
Ambassador, one cannot speak of Barbados’ role in this Region without making reference to its sterling contribution in the area of environmental issues, particularly with regards to championing the causes of Small Island Developing States – SIDS – as well as that of the Caribbean Sea. We cannot forget that it was in Barbados in 1994 that the first ever Conference for the sustainable development of small island states was held, resulting in the UN sponsored “Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”.
Similarly, the tireless efforts of Barbados at the hemispheric and international levels have heightened the awareness of the international community to the importance of protecting one of our Region’s most valuable resources, the Caribbean Sea. As Chair for the past six years, of the Caribbean Sea Commission established under the Association of Caribbean States, Barbados has been at the forefront of the significant strides made towards the goal of having the Caribbean Sea internationally recognised as a special area in the context of sustainable development. This is being advanced through the promotion of the UN Resolution ‘Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations’.
The Community is also proud of the work of your Prime Minister, Honourable Freundel Stuart in representing the Region’s interests and concerns on the UN High Level Panel on Global Sustainability. This Panel is charged with formulating a new blueprint for a sustainable future by exploring approaches for building a low-carbon, green and resilient economy that can eradicate poverty and ensure a dignified life for all. The final Report of the Panel has been submitted to the UN and small island developing and low-lying coastal states share the hope and expectation that it conveys the urgency and ambition needed to achieve the vision for sustainable and inclusive growth and prosperity for all countries.
Ambassador, despite all that has been achieved the task ahead of us is still great. Your vast experience in the labour movement will serve the Community well, particularly as we strive to ensure that people remain at the centre of our integration movement. Your credentials speak for themselves and we have no doubt that we will find in you a most able toiler in the field of integration. Be assured that you will find here at the Secretariat, a dedicated team of persons ready and willing to collaborate closely with you.
It is thus with pleasure, that I bid you a warm welcome and accept your credentials as Barbados’ Plenipotentiary Representative to CARICOM.
