In 50th anniversary tributes, Diplomats Praise CARICOM’s Work on International Stage, Pledge Continued Support
Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland has praised CARICOM as “a force for good,” in a tribute she delivered at a 50th anniversary celebration recently in Trinidad and Tobago.
“CARICOM has offered the Commonwealth and the rest of the world 50 years of leadership and moral courage, 50 years of solidarity and standing up for what is right,” Baroness Scotland said.
She spoke at a special tribute session carved out to mark the golden jubilee anniversary of CARICOM at the 45th Heads of Government Conference in Port-of-Spain 3-5 July.
Baroness Scotland shone the spotlight on the first Secretary-General of the Commonwealth from the Caribbean, Sir Shridath Ramphal whom she recalled, “led the titanic struggle against apartheid in South Africa.”
This set the Commonwealth on the right side of history and helped vanquish minority rule in Rhodesia and apartheid in South Africa, Baroness Scotland stated.
She said Sir Shridath also helped to pioneer the notion of sustainable development, warned of the dangers of sea level rise, and the existential threat posed by climate change.
Today, CARICOM and the Commonwealth are “joined in partnership and practical action in the face of broken climate promises,” Baroness Scotland said, recognising the contribution of former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo to climate financing.
He led a Commonwealth expert group that resulted in the creation of a climate finance access hub being delivered under Baroness Scotland’s leadership.
Since its creation in 2015 with an initial investment of only US$6M, she said it has unlocked more than US$276,000M in climate financing in 19 member states – including US$52 million for Caribbean member countries – with US$500M worth of projects in the pipeline.
“CARICOM is a force for good. Even though the challenges are great together we are more than equal to them,” the Commonwealth SG told CARICOM Heads.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), and representatives from Canada, Mexico, and China also delivered tributes in Port-of-Spain.
OAS Secretary-General, His Excellency Luis Almagro, told the Heads that CARICOM’s contributions over the years “have been invaluable.”
“In the past 50 years, your commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law sets an example for the entire hemisphere,” Mr. Almagro stated.
He said countries of CARICOM are playing a crucial role in the OAS, clearly demonstrated during the recent General Assembly in Washington where they led resolutions and declarations on issues such as climate change, inadequacy of funds to support it, increasing debt, illegal firearms, and gang violence.
Mr. Almagro commended CARICOM’s efforts in charting regional responses these issues while urging the international community to fulfil its obligations.
Special Envoy of Mexico, Ambassador Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo said his country appreciates the support of several CARICOM countries in the litigation against private companies in the firearm industry in the United States of America.
Mexico has taken note of CARICOM’s concerns to US Vice President Kamala Harris in June in The Bahamas, over increased firearm trafficking that contribute to crime and violence in the Region.
He expressed support to Haiti noting that Mexico is joining efforts with CARICOM and other international allies to help alleviate the situation through “a solution agreed upon by the country’s political and social allies.”
The Special Envoy said Mexico looks forward to a more profound strengthening of its friendship with CARICOM through mechanisms including a Fifth CARICOM-Mexico Summit.
Giving tribute on behalf of Canada, Hon. Maninder Sidhu, Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, said his country remains “a trusted partner.”
“Together we’ll accelerate efforts to fight climate change including through coordinated support to action for climate financing for adaptation, mitigation and resilience,” Mr. Sidhu said.
He told CARICOM Heads that Canada supports their ambitions for clean and green transition and increasing trade.
With Canada’s expertise in climate-smart agriculture, he said the North American country looks forward to collaborating with CARICOM to reduce the regional food import bill by 2025.
The Canadian representative also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Haiti, noting that it shares the same goals for a stable hemisphere.
Assistant Minister, Her Excellency Hua Chunying, represented China. She announced that China will increase its contribution to disaster prevention in the Region to the tune of US$1Million to the China-Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Fund, this year.
The Assistant Minister expressed China’s solidarity with the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States and its readiness to work with them to address financing difficulties, and accelerated energy and climate transition, to achieve green and sustainable development.
“China is ready to stand side by side with CARICOM in addressing challenges faced by developing countries and to provide a better life for its people,” she said.
She lauded CARICOM for playing “a unique and increasingly important role on the international stage,” as it safeguards the interests of Member States.
Source: CARICOM TODAY