ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC—The Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Barnett, says climate resilience cannot be achieved without affordable infrastructural development resources.
Speaking here on Thursday at the opening of the Twenty-Seventh Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), she said the region must continue, as a collective, to reinforce the urgency of reform of the global financial architecture, as proposed in the Bridgetown Initiative, to facilitate increased access to resources, at costs that we can bear, to address the impact of climate change on our economies and societies.
The Secretary-General noted that CARICOM is expanding beyond its traditional relationships, exemplified by a push for a formal partnership with the African Union and expanded political dialogue.
“The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, to be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda next week, will also present an opportunity for Member States to engage with international partners, including especially SIDS outside our Community with which we have a common agenda regarding climate change and financing for development.”
Barnett said emerging non-traditional relationships, particularly between CARICOM and the Middle East, have great potential.
“CARICOM has been demonstrating its commitment to diplomacy, multilateralism, and the peaceful resolution of the conflict on multiple occasions, such as our recent statements on the war on Gaza and recognition now, by all remaining Member States, of the State of Palestine.”
“This commitment to diplomacy is integral to the reputation of integrity that CARICOM has established internationally. This reputation has, in part, propelled significant interest by Third States in the Latin American and Caribbean region, and beyond, to deepen relations with CARICOM Member States, through Associate Membership of the Community.”
She added that in keeping with the commitment to uphold democratic traditions across the region, a significant number of elections are due next year in Member States and funding is needed to allow the Community to undertake various electoral observation missions.
“ I am certain that the open and robust discussions necessary for foreign policy coordination will bear fruit and lead to actionable outcomes to advance our collective interests beyond our 50 years of existence, which we celebrate this year. Let us remain aware of what we can achieve together to enhance the development of our societies and the quality of life of the people of the Caribbean Community,” she said.
Over the next two days, the Council will engage in critical discussions on climate change, which becomes even more crucial as we approach the 2024 hurricane season.
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