I am most honored for this opportunity to present my Letter of Accreditation as Finland`s Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community.
Finland established bilateral relationship with CARICOM seven years ago. I have the honor to be the third Finnish Ambassador accredited to the organization.
Past few years have witnessed the construction of a solid and active partnership between Finland and the Caribbean countries and their organizations, primarily CARICOM.
Finland became one of the first non-hemispheric donors to the Caribbean Development Fund as early as in 2009. It was part of Finland’s engagement in extensive cooperation and dialogue with the Caribbean in the fields of renewable energy, ocean governance, environmental protection, meteorology, and, last but not the least, education.
In 2011 Finland financed an educational conference to the Caribbean countries which was held in Jamaica. Afterwards, many of the CARICOM member states expressed their interest in the cooperation with Finland in the field of education and we have received numerous delegations from the region since then. Some preliminary talks have been held with the University of West Indies which hopefully lead to cooperation in the field of early childhood education in the future.
In 2012 Finland was involved in the financing of the 3rd Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum which was organized by the CARICOM Secretariat in St. Kitts and Nevis. We look forward to continuing cooperation in energy sector, especially in the field of renewable technologies. We should take a closer look to the possibilities of working together for a better use of bioenergy potential especially in the mainland territories of CARICOM.
Forest based bi energy has a central role in our energy economy. About 80% of our renewable energy comes from forest biomass, a majority of which is by-products from forest industry which otherwise would go to waste.
Finland is one of the global leaders in waste-to-energy solutions and a forerunner of advanced biofuel technologies. Another extremely interesting field for cooperation could be the development of wave energy. We have some first class technologies in this field. A preliminary wave energy resource assessment would be the first step for the development of the blue energy resources.
In 2010 we sponsored an expert meeting on the Governance of the Caribbean Sea in collaboration with the Caribbean Sea Commission. Finnish maritime and offshore industry offers today world class maritime constructions and floating structures for the development of sustainable tourism as well as world’s most advanced oil spill recovery and cleaning technology.
Our cooperation in the field of meteorology dates over 15 years back. It started with a program between our national meteorological institute and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology in the year 2000. Cooperation has continued uninterruptedly through different projects. The last phase of the region wide cooperation is about to start this year. It will further increase the capacity of the Caribbean national weather services to analyze severe weather conditions.
Most of our cooperation activities are now under the European Union cooperation with the Caribbean. We contribute our share to the programs which are implemented in the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and CARIFORUM. We will continue as an active partner in this bi-regional framework. We also contribute to the Caribbean Region through the EU Development Fund.
The memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Nordic Countries and CARICOM, which was signed in September in New York provides us with an additional tool to strengthen the friendly ties that bind out two regions together. We should actively make use of this new instrument.
The Nordic countries and the CARICOM countries share many values. We are like-minded groups of countries in many ways. In this context, I would like to mention Arms Trade Treaty which has been one of the main priorities both to the Caribbean countries and the Nordic countries. Almost all of the Caribbean countries have signed and ratified it. I am sure CARICOM will continue to play a very constructive and central role in this important issue also in the future.
Finland currently holds the presidency of ATT for the period 2016-17 and has set a goal of 100 ratifications before the end of the term. Finland has also given a substantial contribution to the ATT Trust Fund. It will be used to increase implementation capacity in developing countries that are part of the Treaty.
Mr. Secretary General, Finland celebrates this year our 100 years of Independence. I hope you could in some way join us in our celebrations. We would appreciate you visiting Finland this year, which is such a special year to us. Perhaps, as a suggestion, you could consider participating The World Circular Economy Forum, which will be held in Helsinki from June 5 to June 6. It would offer a splendid opportunity to exchange experiences in the fields of bio-economy, circular economy and waste-to-energy solutions.
To conclude, let me also take the opportunity to wish you, Mr. Secretary General, every success in your efforts and challenges and to assure you of Finland’s full cooperation in them.
