By: Staff Writer
July 8, 2022
The President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi, said that the CARICOM must form a “coalition of willingness” in order to address all of the items agreed upon at this year’s 43rd Regular meeting of the Heads of Government.
Mr Santokhi, who is also chairman of the Caribbean bloc, said at the closing ceremony press conference of the meeting that while there were a number of decisions made during the three days of meetings and also that they had support from the United Nations Secretary General and other international dignitaries that there must be a willingness to get things done.
“I want to reiterate my point of view regarding our partnership. Earlier I stated that we must form a coalition of willingness. This is needed in order to be enabled to achieve set goals and continuality, raise the bar on effectiveness of this beautiful organisation.
“As you head back to your specific islands, and countries, I urge you to keep in consideration that this is not a time to do business as usual, we have to pave the way for future generations, we have to leave firm foundations.”
CARICOM nations face daunting challenges made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing inflationary shocks and supply chain challenges. But despite this, Mr Santokhi believes the region can “build back better” and focus on delivering results that came out of the decisions taken at the closed door meetings.
He added: “With respect to issues discussed, we agreed to adopt a two pronged strategic programme of action to scale up climate finance towards building our resilience. This would entail focused and active advocacy underpinned by a regional coordinating mechanism and national capacity building to source and utilise climate finance.
“We also agreed that the resource mobilisation strategy would include support from the Caribbean Development Bank to mobilise development finance, we would also advocate strongly for the allocation of concessional finance, more fairly and equitable. This is a matter we have impressed upon the United Nations Secretary General, and he was very critical on this topic and yet promised his support to our community.”
He continued, “The Secretary General Guterres also assured the Conference of his continued support and efforts to obtain that relief to reform the international financial system and towards the use of a multi dimensional filterability index. In our discussion with the SG Chikoti of the OACPS (Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States), we urged him to have his organisation take a leading role in joining with us in the case for reparations, we agreed on the need to invest more time and effort in strengthening solidarity and cooperation to develop a common strong stance in advocating on the issues of reparation and migration at the UN and other international fora.
CARICOM also received an update on Haiti and had discussions with Prime Minister Ariel Henry on what can be done to help the flagging and failing nation state. “We took the opportunity to express grave concern at the deteriorating security situation in Haiti and the Prime Minister has responded also that his country is looking for more support, and is also calling for starting a dialogue on national level, to include all the people, all the institutions and all the stakeholders to discuss a stable and a good future for Haiti,” said Mr Santokhi
He added, “We agreed that the Bureau of conference of CARICOM will be expanded and will also include the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister of Barbados, Prime Minister of Jamaica and also that we should express joint leadership, collective leadership towards Haiti.”