“It makes sense to open up, but in keeping with reality of pandemic” – Caricom SG

…as preparations set for 33rd Intersessional Meeting in Belize

With the stage set for the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting that will be held in Belize, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community are expected to deliberate on a host of major issues including the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery, which according to Caricom Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett is critical.

She made this remark during a review of the agenda for the upcoming regional meeting. The Caricom SG posited that one of the priorities of the region now is to ensure the opening up of economies but added that this must be done in keeping with the reality of the pandemic.

“We really cannot stay locked up… People have to produce; they have to eat. They have to do their business every day and you can’t do that in an extremely constrained social setting. Therefore, the notion that we have to free up, that we have to open up makes sense but we have to do it in keeping with what the scientific information says about the pandemic is evolving, how the virus itself has evolved and what the main concerns would be, which continue to be – we have to protect our most vulnerable populations,” Dr Barnett said.
The meeting is also expected to address advancing the implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), which is regarded as the Region’s most practical option for responding to current economic challenges, and building a more resilient Caribbean Community.
“Even more now [CSME is seen as option to economic resilience] because, I think, what the COVID pandemic has emphasised for us is the real importance of being able to support each other, combine our efforts in economic development, invest in each other’s country – making sure where there are opportunities, that those opportunities are shared, where there are risks we address them together because at the end of the day, within the CSME, that’s really about our future,” she stated.
According to the Caricom SG, while there have been delays in implementing certain aspects of the CSME, there is still a holistic recommitment by Members States towards advancing this initiative.
In addition to this, another critical area of mutual interest for the Region that will be featured on the agenda for next week’s meeting is agriculture development and food security.
Dr Barnett went on to point out that one of major challenges in this sector is transportation.
“Because of the impact of COVID and the disruptions that occurred, transportation of food in particularly is really on the agenda but not food… people. So, if there is a glut in St Vincent, there really ought to be no reason for that extra not to go to St Lucia or Barbados or some other place.”
The Ministers of Agriculture and the officials have been talking about all of the things that have to be sorted through… to ensure that we manage the movement in such a way that nobody’s agriculture sector is compromised. So that’s high on the agenda and is linked closely with the matter of food security and increased food production,” the Caricom Head asserted.
Other reoccurring issues will also feature on the agenda such as regional security, border issues and climate change.
Under the Chairmanship of Belize’s Prime Minister, John Briceño, Caricom Heads of Governments will be gathering in person for the first time in two years for the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting in San Pedro, Belize.
According to the Caricom SG, this meeting is particularly special since not only is it her first in-person meeting with regional leaders since assuming office but also because it is being held in her home country.
“It’s even more significant for me because I’m from Belize and it’s going to be my pleasure to welcome Heads [of Government], colleagues from the Secretariat, delegations from all Member States to Belize… It’s kind of special to be able to do that,” Dr Barnett said.
Following the intersessional meeting set for March 1 and 2, there will be a Caricom-SICA meeting also in Belize that will see the Caribbean leaders meeting with counterparts from Central and South America to advance cooperation talks.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres is expected to address that gathering.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd attended the virtual meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Caricom-SICA in preparation for the Fourth Caricom-SICA Summit. (G8)