Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen
Hon Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Other Heads of Government
Hon. Ministers of Government
Distinguished Delegates to the 14th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference
Members of Parliament
Your Excellencies, the Ambassadors to CARICOM and other Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Invitees
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen
Member
Mr. Chairman
Colleague Heads
Ministers and Delegates
Distinguished Honorees
Your Excellencies
Esteemed Guests_
I wish to thank the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for their gracious hospitality. Jamaica looks forward to reciprocating this generosity when we host the 24th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
The Community Council of Ministers, the second highest organ of CARICOM met on Monday under the chairmanship of the Hon. Osborne Riviere, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Marketing of Dominica in Georgetown, Guyana. Its priority issue was the consideration of the arrangements including the agenda for the upcoming 14th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government scheduled for Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on February 14 and 15.
Mr Chairman
Deputy Prime Minister
Honourable Ministers
Your Excellencies Ambassadors to the Caribbean Community
Assistant Secretaries-General and Members of Staff of the Secretariat
Distinguished Delegates
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
May I first acknowledge with appreciation the opportunity to say a few words on this important occasion. My appreciation goes particularly to Dr. Edwin Carrington, the indefatigable Secretary General of CARICOM who has over the years, tirelessly exerted himself in pursuit of regional integration, cooperation and advancement.
This occasion is but yet another manifestation of this; for under his watch the project for which we meet here today will hopefully now come to fruition.
Dr Carla Barnett has come to the end of her term as Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM.
Dr Barnett served in the post for six years before returning home to Belize at the end of her contract on December 31, 2002.
A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, Dr Barnett is now serving her Government as an Adviser, International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and International Co-operation and Immigration of the Government of Belize.
It is with deep regret that I have learnt of the death of Sir Gerald Cash. Sir Geraldās role in the public life of The Bahamas is well documented attaining the highest office in the land, serving as Governor-General for 12 years after being an MP and a Senator.
The Caribbean Community recalls with affection that at the time of the accession of The Bahamas to CARICOM, Sir Gerald was the Head of State. Bahamians no doubt will remember him for the part he played during the 1956 Resolution that brought an end to racial discrimination in public places in their country.
CARICOM Secretary General, Mr Edwin Carrington, met with CARICOM Chairman, Dominican Prime Minister, Honourable Pierre Charles, in the Cabinet Room in Roseau, Dominica earlier today. The Dominican Leader holds the chairmanship of the fifteen-member grouping for the next six months.
The next intercessional meeting of the Community is tentatively set for Trinidad and Tobago, from February 14-15, 2003. According to the Secretary General, a number of critical areas are expected to explored in detail at that meeting. These include_
It is with deepest regret, shock and sadness that the members of staff of the CARICOM Secretariat and I have learnt of the passing of Hugh Desmond Hoyte, SC, MP., former President of Guyana, on Sunday morning 22 December 2002 at his residence in Georgetown, Guyana.
Hugh Desmond Hoyte was a man who had to be respected for his rare qualities. An erudite man, he could not be faulted for his commitment to his country nor to his region as the historical Herdmanston Accord and Saint Lucia statements attest.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Mr. Edwin Carrington identified the Forward Together Conference as one of the major achievements of the Caribbean Community in 2002.
The Conference which brought together the Heads of Government of CARICOM and organisations from civil society took place in Georgetown, Guyana last July. Mr Carrington and assisted by senior members of his management team held a Press Conference at the Secretariat's headquarters, Bank of Guyana building to update the media on a number of developments during the year.