| Â |
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Today, we in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) join with the rest of the world to mark the occasion of the 21st World AIDS Day.
This year’s theme Human Rights and Universal Access, could not be more timely as we take stock of the progress we have made as a Community in accelerating our response to HIV and AIDS, and contemplate the challenges ahead in reversing the spread |
edwin carrington
 Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is for me a signal honour to have been invited to Chair this afternoon’s proceedings, and in that capacity, my first order of business is to bid you all welcome today to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
It is with the deepest regret that I am unable to attend the Ninth Annual General Meeting of PANCAP. Competing events have conspired to keep me away from Grenada at this time. But believe me when I say I am with you in spirit.
|
As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, it is my pleasure to be involved in the activities marking Caribbean Statistics Day 2009.
The observance of Caribbean Statistics Day follows closely on the heels of another important event recently held in Trinidad and Tobago, the High Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics. That event and today’s commemoration both have the commendable goal of raising the profile of statistics in our Community. |
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Government of Barbados, Mr William Layne
Minister Counsellor Mr Douglas Williams of the Canadian High Commission in Barbados and other representatives of the High Commission
Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Integration, CARICOM Secretariat, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
Director General, Office of Trade Negotiations, CARICOM Secretariat, Ambassador Gail Mathurin
Representatives of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is really for me a great pleasure that I stand here this afternoon at Ogle International Airport. Those last three words have resonated with me for a long time and finally being able to say them is almost like music to my ears.
The circle is almost complete from my vision expressed in 2003 which included the Secretariat Headquarters, a Conference Centre, the University of Guyana and the International Airport. The two other elements will surely not be too long in coming – a five star hotel and a shopping centre.
|
Â
|
|
| Â |
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) I thank you all for having accepted my invitation to join in our celebration tonight, of the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Caribbean Community – CARICOM. |
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
Ladies and Gentlemen
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)