“We must plan for the new “climatic” normal” – Ambassador La Rocque

– as 45th COTED Meeting gets underway with new Trade Agreement with Cuba

As the region continues to reel from the devastation caused by recent hurricanes, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Ambassador Irwin La Rocque, has urged that rebuilding efforts be centred around making the region the first climate-resilient one in the world.

Speaking at the opening of the 45th Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which is being held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Ambassador La Rocque noted that September’s devastating climatic events have upset efforts to stimulate growth and development in the region. Critical sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, housing, infrastructure, energy, and communications, have been adversely affected in varying degrees in the countries battered by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, he noted. He pointed out that the economic impact is not limited to the affected countries alone, but extends to the wider Caribbean region, given its level of integration.
To this end, he emphasised the need for all member states to play a part in rebuilding the devastated countries in a manner that enhances resilience to adapt to, and to mitigate, the effects of climate change.
Acknowledging the overwhelming outpouring of support, the Caricom Secretary-General commended member states for their “impressive” response.
He noted that the Governments and people of the region have stood up to be counted on in the hour of need of stricken member states and associate member states.
Ambassador La Rocque continued that as the task of reconstruction and rebuilding gets underway, it is recognised that the region cannot prepare for the “new normal” on its own. To this end, he posited that Caricom, with support of the United Nations (UN), will convene a High-Level Pledging Conference on 21 November at UN Headquarters in New York.
The Caricom Secretary-General said that through this event, the community will be seeking the co-operation of international development partners, the private sector, and private foundations to help rebuild the countries ravaged by these hurricanes.
Nevertheless, as the region grapples with the seriousness of its vulnerability to catastrophic events, Ambassador La Rocque called upon the regional Ministerial Council to lead in promoting sound policies that will help to strengthen the economic resilience of member states.
On this note, he charged the COTED delegation to work, over the two days, to address issues affecting regional trade; and he stressed that, with respect to trade in goods, there are some matters on the agenda that have remained unresolved for a considerable amount of time.
The COTED meeting is responsible for ensuring that the trade and economic policies of the Community are supportive of growth and development in the various member states.
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, stressed the need to address critical issues affecting trade and economic growth in the region.
“We are especially concerned about handling the challenges posed by the trade issues and the problems of conformity, and ensuring that we can work and give effect to the aspirations that are captured in the (Revised) Treaty of Chaguaramas. So we look forward to trying to help to move those issues on the agenda dealing with these areas forward,” Minister Greenidge stated.
Meanwhile, Chair of the 45th COTED Meeting, Trinidad’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, posited that as small states with small economies, member nations should vigorously pursue the Council’s mandate, especially since the region struggles to survive and achieve sustainable economic growth and development in a turbulent global economy.
Additionally, on the side-lines of the COTED meeting, Secretary General La Rocque and Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana, Julio Marchante, signed the Second Protocol to the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between Caricom and Cuba.