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VIDEO CONFERENCING FACILITIES FOR THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT

The CARICOM Secretariat has benefited from a UNDP US$303,370 grant to establish a video conferencing facility at its new headquarters in Georgetown. The Facility is expected to reduce the exorbitant logistic cost associated with the myriad of meetings that are convened by the Secretariat.

According to Secretary General of CARICOM, Mr. Edwin Carrington, “The strategic use of modern information and communication technologies, including video conferencing, serves to strengthen institution-building and further improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CARICOM's own administrative apparatus, as well as transparency and accountability.”

The videoconferencing facility will not only provide a quicker and more efficient method of convening meetings, but is also expected to create greater opportunity for broad debate and improved interaction among Member States and between the Community and its partners.

“The adoption of videoconferencing by CARICOM as a means of enhancing internal governance will be of substantial benefit…. Not only will it reduce current expenditure on venue-based meetings and conferences, but it will also facilitate quicker communication and decision-making,” the Secretary General added.

UNDP resident representative to Guyana, His Excellency Jan Sand Sorensen, lauded the endeavor as a step in the right direction, especially in light of its capacity as a tool with tremendous potential for closer integration. “It will help CARICOM States to overcome isolation, geographical distance and other social and economic obstacles he noted, adding, ” the video conferencing facility is a first phase in a wider program of E-readiness for CARICOM, which includes, E-Commerce, E-Governance, E-Trade and E-Learning.”

Initial work for the establishment of the CARICOM Video Conferencing facility is estimated to commence next month and will span an eighteen-month period ending in October 2005.

The facility is part of CARICOM's current thrust in ICT Connectivity, and is considered the first major step in linking the secretariat and the Member States of the Community through E-Capabilities.

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