GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has lauded the regional body, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), saying it has grown exponentially over the past years and has reaped continuous success on the global scale in various areas.
Ali spoke on Wednesday evening during the book launch of ‘Caribbean Perspective,’ written by long-standing journalist Sandra Ann Baptiste.
Delivering the feature address at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre here, Ali noted that the book outlines three decades of inter-regional development of CARICOM and shows how much work has been and will continue to be put into the union.
“We are leading on climate in the global conversation. We are leading the global conversation on forests and [on] finance. On peace, we are leading the conversation, and on reparative justice. Recently, we have found ourselves in an excellent position to ensure, what many leaders in the past spoke of, that this region remains a region of democratic credentials,” the President said.
The CARICOM chairman further encouraged his members to conduct and impose upon themselves the decision-making framework that will allow the body to continuously and permanently operate efficiently.
He added that CARICOM is getting closer each day to its goal of closely linking its member states, either through transportation, such as the ongoing ferry service between Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, or through the removal of trade barriers and the common food security goals.
Ali also assured that the body would not be left behind, as he would ensure that CARICOM works collectively to foster success.
“I want to say clearly that there is no other option to succeed and win. CARICOM will not lose, and CARICOM will not be left behind. As a collective, we will confront the challenges of the past and the present. We will overcome those challenges and position CARICOM as the strongest block.”
Meanwhile, Baptiste, in delivering remarks, said the work chronicles the community’s rich experiences with regional integration over the past three decades. She explained that it also describes the concomitant challenges faced with unity within the union and deals with very important topics within the bloc.
She also said it is a breathtaking account of her life and journey following the development of CARICOM. She then read excerpts from the book, which was gifted to the attendees at the ceremony.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and members of the Diplomatic Corps attended the ceremony. CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett, members of CARICOM, and other invitees were also present.
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