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Remarks by Assistant Secretary-General, Elizabeth Solomon | Colloquium to mark the Thirtieth Anniversary of the ACS| Cartegena, Colombia

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – It is an honour to deliver remarks at this Colloquium to mark the Thirtieth Anniversary of the creation of the Association of Caribbean States.  The theme “Convergence and Cooperation in the Caribbean” is, to say the least, timely.   Not enough can be said, indeed, not enough can be done, to underscore the significance of cooperation in the fight for sustainable development in the Caribbean.

In CARICOM, we recognise that the path to sustainable development requires collective action, and a shared commitment to overcoming obstacles. As we mark this anniversary, it is with unwavering resolve that we reaffirm our dedication to working together, to forging a brighter future for all states and territories of the Greater Caribbean.  Thank you, Captain Alfonso Salas, for showing us the map of opportunity that is the Caribbean.

I must begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the ACS Secretariat and to the University of Cartagena for being such gracious hosts.  I am delighted to be in this beautiful historic city, which is of course fitting for today’s event as more than 30 years ago, it was the birthplace of the Convention Establishing this important Association.

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend congratulations on the occasion of the commemoration of this milestone. 

Background

Ladies and gentlemen, the Association of Caribbean States, as defined by its founding Convention, serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and joint action within the Greater Caribbean region. A core objective of the ACS is to foster regional cooperation and integration, ultimately aiming to create a stronger and more unified economic area across the region.

The Secretariat of the Association of Caribbean States has often been described as the Secretariat of the Secretariats, which affirms its role in bringing regional organisations together in a manner that avoids duplication, creates value for the individual organisations and ultimately for the collective membership.

Today, as the ACS marks its Thirtieth Anniversary, its founding mandate to promote consultation, cooperation, and concerted action in the Greater Caribbean is even more critical. The world, and particularly small vulnerable economies like those in the Caribbean, face increasingly complex challenges. Regional collaboration and joint action are now even more essential for building resilience, enhancing crisis response capabilities, and overcoming threats to collective well-being.

CARICOM’s contribution to the ACS and collaboration

The ACS has always been of significant importance to CARICOM.  It is recognised in CARICOM’s foreign policy strategy as an important multilateral forum for pursuing the objectives of consultation, cooperation and concerted action in the Greater Caribbean.  Fourteen of the fifteen CARICOM Member States are Members of the Association. The genesis of the ACS can be traced back to the 1992 West Indian Commission Report, which advocated for deeper CARICOM integration through the creation of an Association of Caribbean States. This recommendation was subsequently adopted by the CARICOM Heads of Government in October 1992, leading to the establishment of the ACS in July 1994.

The CARICOM Secretariat was instrumental in drafting the ACS’s founding charter and has remained a key contributor to the Association’s work since its inception, and maintains a close relationship with the ACS Secretariat, participating in the meetings of the organisation as well as in the Inter-Secretariat meetings which are an important aspect of the functioning of the ACS.  This spirit of consultation and cooperation has materialised in various ways, with the two organizations partnering on numerous initiatives over the years.

Natural Disaster Management represents one such area of cooperation, with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the ACS providing a framework for the sharing of information and promotion of comprehensive Disaster Management.

Moreover, the recognition of the Caribbean Sea as a Special Area in the Context of Sustainable Development represents another critical area in which CARICOM and the ACS have collaborated closely.  The sustainable use of the Caribbean Sea which binds us all together represents a critical element of our effort at sustainable development, and in recognition of this, the CARICOM Secretariat has collaborated closely with Member States and their representatives at the United Nations in providing advocacy and lobbying support for the Caribbean Sea resolution presented to the UN General Assembly.

In addition, over the years, the collaboration between the secretariats of the two organisations has widened to include the Central American Integration System (SICA). In that regard, the Secretaries-General of CARICOM, the ACS and SICA have held several meetings to exchange views on the strengthening of inter-institutional coordination between the three organisations. 

ACS’ recent efforts towards coordination and constraints

Ladies and gentlemen, the world we inhabit is marked by constant change and uncertainty. The Association of Caribbean States has risen to this challenge, embracing its mandate to bridge divides and foster cooperation across our diverse region.

Let me illustrate this with a powerful example: In the face of this unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACS played a critical role in coordinating our region’s response. We facilitated the sharing of information, strategies, and best practices, demonstrating the power of unity in times of adversity.

Furthermore, the ACS Cooperation Conference has become an increasingly vital platform. By bringing together members, collaborators, and potential partners, we facilitate project development and implementation in critical areas for regional growth. With the support of international development partners, this conference has evolved into a key resource mobilization mechanism, driving progress across the Greater Caribbean.

These initiatives, among many others, demonstrate tangibly that when we work together, when we share knowledge and resources, we amplify our impact and accelerate our progress.

But let us not underestimate what lies ahead. The convergence of major shared challenges such as crime and insecurity, the spread of gang violence, illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, the impact of climate change, natural disasters, unfavourable socio-economic conditions, and lack of access to development finance is having a destabilising effect on our societies and undermines our economies. These obstacles can only be mitigated through a concerted and collaborative approach that transcends national boundaries, one that is rooted within a resilient and inclusive regional framework. Solidarity and cooperation to alleviate and eradicate these threats are critical in the Region’s quest to secure an elevated and sustained quality of life for its people for generations.

Esteemed colleagues. Friends of the Caribbean. The dream of a truly integrated and cooperative Caribbean region persists. It is a dream born of a common purpose to help our region reach its full potential, and it is a dream born of necessity, a direct response to the unique challenges that hinder our social and economic progress. For the Caribbean Community, this dream remains a top priority.

Conclusion

While each regional mechanism plays a vital role, we must amplify our collective voice on the global stage. We must project our shared priorities, advocate for our needs, and actively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Association of Caribbean States has identified key areas of focus: preserving our precious Caribbean Sea, fostering robust trade and economic relations, mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, enhancing connectivity through a robust transport infrastructure, and promoting sustainable tourism. These interconnected priorities demand collaborative action, not just within the ACS, but across all regional institutions.

To truly serve our governments and the people of the Greater Caribbean, we must embrace a regional agenda that prioritises cooperation. By leveraging our unique strengths even while working together towards common goals, we can unlock the immense potential of our region.

Imagine a Caribbean where greater integration leads to increased economic resilience, where sustainable development uplifts every citizen, and where our collective voice resonates powerfully on the world stage. This is the future we can build, together.

Let us seize the opportunities that adversity puts before us to strengthen our partnerships, to deepen our collaboration, and to forge a path towards a more prosperous and united Caribbean.

I thank you

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