“This distinguished gathering no doubt is used to dealing with the complexities of transnational organised crime, and as we move forward, the Secretariat pledges support to you in enhancing multi-disciplinary and intersectoral cooperation with all relevant stakeholders for a strengthened approach to deal with crime, insecurities and violence.”
Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations at the CARICOM Secretariat, Elizabeth Solomon
Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations at the CARICOM Secretariat, Elizabeth Solomon, says the Secretariat is committed to supporting the Region in multi-disciplinary and intersectoral cooperation for a strengthened approach to deal with crime, insecurities and violence.
The ASG shared this with law enforcement stakeholders, including CARICOM Ministers responsible for crime and security, at the 28th Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis on 28-29 November.
The meeting was held one week after the Second Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health Issue—The Crime Challenge. During the meeting, stakeholders deliberated and provided guidance on operational, administrative and legislative requirements for improving security and citizen security within the Community, including managing the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).
The discussions focused on border security, cyber security, trafficking associated with transnational organised crime activities, gangs and security-related legal instruments.
CONSLE coordinates the multi-dimensional nature of security to ensure a safe and stable Community.
Please read the ASG’s speech below.
REMARKS FROM
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOREIGN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE CONSLE
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS | 28-29 NOVEMBER 2024
Ladies and gentlemen
Good Morning.
First, please allow me to bring greetings and best wishes for a successful meeting from Assistant Secretary-General Alison Drayton, who is unable to be with us today.
Honourable Prime Ministers, Ministers and Heads of Delegation, I thank you all for being here despite your relentless schedules. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address you this morning and to participate in the 28th Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) in my dual capacity as Assistant Secretary General of Foreign and Community Relations and Officer in Charge of the Directorate of Human and Social Development. These proceedings, particularly so close on the heels of the Second Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health Issue—The Crime Challenge that was held in Georgetown last week, set the pace for the work that needs to be done on the issues before us.
Over the next two days, this meeting of the Council is expected to deliberate and provide guidance on Operational, Administrative, and Legislative requirements for improving security and citizen security within the Community, including the management of CARICOM IMPACS. The focus will be on Border Security, Cyber Security, Trafficking associated with Trans-National Organized Crime activities, Gangs and Security-related Legal Instruments. Additionally, it is worth noting that the Second Regional Symposium a series of action points with specific deadlines. The George-Bridge Declaration provides guidance on implementing the justice reform priorities set out in the Needhams Point Declaration of 2023 and other strategies for a holistic approach across the education, youth, and culture sectors. This is meant to address a range of issues associated with delinquency and risk-taking behaviour gaps in victims and survivor needs and the link between mental health and crime.
This distinguished gathering no doubt is used to dealing with the complexities of transnational organized crime and as we move forward the Secretariat pledges support to you in enhancing multi-disciplinary and intersectoral cooperation with all relevant stakeholders for a strengthened approach to deal with crime, insecurities and violence.
I look forward to the opportunities we will have over this brief engagement to create stronger networks as we continue to both support and learn from each other in the exchange of ideas leading to deliverables that underpin the Community’s core interest, namely, to secure a viable, sustainable, and prosperous Community for all.
The Secretariat will continue to service Community needs by facilitating cross fertillisation of the strategies discussed here today and coordinating with the other related sector councils, namely COFCOR, COTED, and COHSOD, Member States and with Community stakeholders in alignment with the Region’s many international commitments.
In closing I must indicate my gratitude for this face-to-face opportunity to strengthen our cooperation and shared responsibility to preserve our Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace. I reiterate that the Secretariat remains resolute to support the outcomes of this CONSLE, and I look forward to the growth over the next two days.
Thank you.
