It really is a pleasure to be in Antigua and Barbuda for this, the inaugural Regional Services Symposium and to be asked by the CARICOM Secretariat to say a few words at this opening session.
Speeches
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I extend a warm Antiguan and Barbudan welcome to all of you.
A special word of welcome to representatives of the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which have willingly and generously provided financial support for this Symposium. |
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First let me begin these remarks by thanking Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer who not only leads the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, but also leads the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the area of Services, for agreeing to be the patron of this Symposium. |
Salutations
Good morning.
I am very pleased to make these brief remarks on behalf of the Secretary General of CARICOM, H. E. Mr. Edwin Carrington, who sent his deepest regrets that he was unable to join us for the Opening of this Youth Exchange Programme today.
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Madame Chair Most Honourable Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, Former Governor-General of Jamaica Executive Director and Other Board Members of the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD) Professors Ralph Carnegie and Winston Anderson Assistant Secretary-General LaRocque and other Distinguished Participants |
President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Incoming Chairman of the Caribbean Community
Colleague Heads of State and Government of CARICOM
Secretary General of CARICOM
Ministers of Government and Members of Parliament
Specially invited Guests and Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Delegates
Representatives of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Salutations
I welcome you all to this Thirtieth Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government.
To my distinguished colleagues, their delegations and special invitees, I extend warmest greetings and best wishes for a pleasant and productive stay.
Special thanks are due to Prime Minister Barrow for hosting us in Belize in March and for his effective stewardship as Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government over the past six months.
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President Bharrat Jagdeo, Chairman of CARICOM Heads of Government Secretary General Honourable Ministers Special Dignitaries Members of the Diplomatic Corps Heads of International and Regional Organizations Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen Words alone can never convey my profound sense of joy and gratitude on the conferment at today’s opening ceremony of the OCC. |
Your Excellency, Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Chairman of the Conference
Other Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Your Excellency Edwin Carrington, Secretary General of the Caribbean Community
Specially invited guest, Your Excellency, Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic
Specially invited guest, Your Excellency Karmalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth