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CARICOM Chairman Dr Harris calls for unity of purpose in the region

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, February 26, 2019 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Prime Minister and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr the Hon Timothy Harris Tuesday morning February 26 welcomed his colleague Heads of Government and Heads of Delegation to the 30^th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Dr Harris who assumed the CARICOM chairmanship on January 1, this year, started by acknowledging the exemplary leadership of the Community by the immediate past Chairman Prime Minister of Jamaica the Most Hon Andrew Holness.

The CARICOM Chairman advised his colleague Heads of Government, and Heads of Delegation, at the two-day event of the power of unity when it is channelled with purpose to achieve an objective and observed that it can provide remarkable results.  

“It must therefore be used to inspire us to do what is necessary to make the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) the vehicle that we want to propel our sustainable development and make a positive impact on the lives of the people of the Community,” said Prime Minister Harris. “Colleague Prime Minister of Barbados (the Hon Mia Motley) has shown a tenacity and diligence in advancing the CSME agenda on behalf of our people and this is worthy of commendation. Clearly more is achieved when we work together.”

Prime Minister Harris impressed upon his colleagues and delegates that they have to unite and be better at resolving the seemingly intractable challenges to provide affordable, safe and efficient transportation for the people and goods around the region.

“Together we must work to reduce the level of violent crimes in our region, preserving the peace and tranquillity consistent with our acceptance of our region as a zone of peace,” advised Dr Harris.

The CARICOM Chairman added: “That power of unity must be our weapon and shield in the global arena as we seek to advance and defend our own interests. As small states it is our duty to stand together and advocate for the adherence to the principles espoused and codified in the international multilateral organisations and institutions.”      

Present at the opening session included Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, His Excellency Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, and the immediate past CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Hon Andrew Holness who both gave some remarks.

Other Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) at the meeting were the Hon Mia Motley of Barbados, the Hon Dr Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, the Hon Allan Chastanet of St. Lucia, Dr the Rt Hon Keith Mitchell of Grenada, the Hon Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, and Dr the Hon Hubert Minnis of Bahamas. Prime Minister of St. Vincent and Grenadines Dr the Hon Ralph Gonsalves joined the meeting during the afternoon session.

Heads of delegation included the Hon Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Hon Michael Peyrefitte, Belize’s Attorney General; the Hon Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and the Hon Yldiz Deborah Pollack-Beighle, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Suriname. Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Bocchit Edmond was due to arrive in the afternoon.

Two CARICOM Associate Members were represented at the opening session of the two-day 30^th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. Bermuda was represented by Hon Walter Roban, while Turks and Caicos was represented by the Hon Sean Astwood.