GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Guyana Monday marked Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Day, noting that the 50th anniversary of the regional integration movement is “a milestone that attests to the relevance and sturdiness of our regional family.”
Guyana typically observes CARICOM Day on the first Monday in July, even as the rest of the 15-member grouping does so on July 4.
In a message marking the occasion, President Irfaan Ali said over the past five decades, integration movements have come and gone; others have stuttered and stagnated; new regional groupings have emerged.
“But our Community has not only remained together but has been enlarged and its membership expanded. During this period, CARICOM has remained steadfast and committed to the ideals of its founding Charter: to promote economic integration, coordinate foreign policy, and promote functional cooperation in human and social development”.
He said the original treaty establishing CARICOM has since been revised and that a new charter to guide the work of the Community has been adopted, and security has become a fourth pillar of regional integration.
“The past 50 years have not been all smooth sailing. The Caribbean has faced many challenges, including invasion, threats to our markets, the emergence of mega economic blocks, devastating natural disasters, and geopolitical changes.
“As a constellation of small-island developing and low-lying coastal states, the Caribbean Community has navigated these turbulent periods because we have stayed together as a united Caribbean family.”
Ali said Guyana is proud to belong to this regional family.
“The country’s commitment has been unwavering, and its support unquestionable. Guyana has been the host of the Community’s Secretariat and has been integrally involved in the work, policies, programs, and organs of the Community over the past 5o years,” he said, adding that “in recent times, we have been very forceful in propelling the region’s agenda in the areas of climate, food, and energy security.
“We will continue to be a vibrant and engaged member. This month Guyana will assume membership in the Bureau of the Conference and undertake Chairmanship of the Community from January to July 2024. We aim to use these opportunities to provide strong leadership and to energize the Community’s work,” Ali said.
“As the Caribbean Community celebrates its Golden Jubilee, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana heralds the contributions of the Caribbean Community towards regional integration and, by extension, to the region’s economic, human, and social development.
“We pay tribute to the founders of our Community and their successors who have kept the ship of regional integration steady and on course. Guyana looks forward to working within the Community to help realize the vision of a united, resilient, and prosperous Caribbean,” Ali said
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