​ I greet you warmly to the Official Opening of the 15th Ordinary Meeting of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism of PANCAP that is being held here in the beautiful resort town of Montego Bay and, in so doing to also record our profound gratitude to the Government and wonderful people of Jamaica for the remarkable hospitality and tangible support provided in completing the arrangements for this meeting.
Speeches
Hon. Attorney General
Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs
Specially Invited Guests
Distinguished Participants
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity afforded me to express a few thoughts on the occasion of this important milestone in Caribbean development
The Honourable Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Chairman, the Honourable Harold Lovell, Minister of Finance, of Antigua and Barbuda and other Ministers of Government Ambassador Valeriano Diaz, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Sir K Dwight Venner Representatives of International and Regional Organisations Representatives of CARIFORUM Member States and Associate Members Representatives of the Private Sector Assistant Secretary General Irwin La Rocque and staff of the CARICO
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Colleague Heads Secretary General of CARICOM Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have come to Montego Bay with a specific mission born of my recent stint as Chairman of this august body, cognizant of our limitations but fortified by our capacities and aspirations.
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It is my pleasure to address you at the Opening Ceremony of the Thirty-First Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government and a further privilege to be doing so here in Montego Bay, the tourism capital of Jamaica.
APPRECIATION TO THE HOST
I would like to begin by expressing appreciation to our hosts, Prime Minister Golding and the Government of Jamaica for the warmth of the welcome extended to us and the superb arrangements that are so evident for this the Thirty-First Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
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     Madam Chair, although the protocol has already been established, please permit me to recognize His Excellency, the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, the Governor General of Jamaica and Lady Allen, our distinguished Host and Chairman of CARICOM Honourable Bruce Golding, our Distinguished and Honoured Guests especially those who have travelled from overseas, friends, Ladies and Gentlemen.
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    Your Excellency, Ambassador Pradel Deputy Secretary-General and other Members of the Executive Management Committee of the CARICOM Secretariat Other Members of the Staff of the Secretariat Representatives of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen
​ It is my pleasure, as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, to be in Antigua and Barbuda and to join in greeting you all on behalf of the Caribbean Community Secretariat and indeed of the entire Community.
This meeting comes at a very hectic period for me and the Secretariat, as we are in the process of preparing for the 31st Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, which takes place in Montego Bay, Jamaica in just over a week’s time from 4th to 7th July.