​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is indeed my great pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to the distinguished delegations of Japan and of CARICOM to this Fifteenth CARICOM-Japan Consultation.
Speeches
​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Twenty-Third Meeting of the CARICOM Council on Human and Social Development (COHSOD XXIII) views with grave concern the alarming prevalence of sexual abuse of children in Member States. COHSOD reviewed the overwhelming evidence documented in recent studies that points to new and emerging forms of abuse against both girls and boys. COHSOD denounces all forms of abuse of children, recognizing that other forms of abuse provide preconditions and the environment for sexual abuse.
​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)It is with pleasure that I accepted the opportunity to address you today. The Secretary General has asked that I convey to you his sincere regrets that prior commitments do not make it possible for him to be here especially when His Excellency President Ramoutar, CARICOM’s lead Head of Government for agriculture is present to address you.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)It is with pleasure that I accepted the opportunity to address you today. The Secretary General has asked that I convey to you his sincere regrets that prior commitments do not make it possible for him to be here especially when His Excellency President Ramoutar, CARICOM’s lead Head of Government for agriculture is present to address you.
​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) I have the pleasure to welcome you to the Twenty-Third Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) which will focus on Children and Youth, the building blocks of our Caribbean society. I offer a very special welcome to the Ministers who are attending their first COHSOD Meeting.
​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The ultimate aim of working with and for children is to make our Region a better place for them to live, grow and develop. Making the CARICOM Region fit for children should be everybody’s business.
The fact that Member States are very well represented at this COHSOD is a clear indication of your conviction that a holistic approach is absolutely necessary to effectively implement the regional priority actions pertaining to children and youth as identified in the Regional Framework for Action for Children.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) I feel privileged to join my Colleague Heads of State and Government here in St Lucia at this Thirty Third Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and I am pleased to reaffirm Guyana’s commitment to the integration process. I pledge my Government’s full support to the continued efforts of regional Governments and the CARICOM Secretariat to work towards the attainment of a more integrated, more resilient and more prosperous Caribbean.
​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is a distinct honour, to address you at this auspicious occasion to deliberate on topics that can lead us to a peaceful, prosperous and a healthy community.
I take advantage of this occasion to compliment the Government and People of Saint Lucia for a warm welcome and excellent arrangements which will contribute to making this meeting a productive one.
Ladies and Gentlemen_
​(Caribbean Community Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Good morning. I am delighted to be back at my first Regular Session of the Conference of Heads since 2007. It is good to be back among colleagues and friends.
I begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to you, Prime Minister Anthony and to the Government and People of Saint Lucia, for the very warm and generous hospitality that has been extended to me and my delegation since our arrival in your beautiful country.
​Caribbean Community Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)