(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The CARICOM Secretariat is honoured to salute the women and girls of the Caribbean Community on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), 8 March, 2009.
This annual celebration gives us a special opportunity to reflect on the achievements on the path towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana
Distinguished Representatives of the United Nations (UN)
Sir George Alleyne
Other Distinguished Participants
Distinguished Guests
Representatives of the MediA
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today, the 10th of December 2008 the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) joins the international community in marking the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) under the theme “Dignity and Justice for all of us”.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) I note with great distress the untimely death of our young media practitioner and the varying degrees of injury suffered by others, while on assignment, as a result of the horrific accident on the Linden highway last Saturday evening.
His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana
His Excellency Runaldo Venetiaan, President of the Republic of Suriname and Lead Head for Community Development and Cultural Cooperation (including Culture, Gender, Youth and Sport) within the Community
Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman of the CARICOM Heads of Government
Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Mrs. Gonsalves
The Hon. Samuel Hinds, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guyana, and Mrs. Hinds
Your Excellency the President of Guyana
Honourable Prime Minister
Members of Cabinet of Guyana
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Staff of the Secretariat
Representatives of the Media
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my very pleasant task as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to welcome you on this CARICOM Day to this celebration of Caribbean unity – marking the 35th Anniversary of CARICOM.
His Excellency the President of Guyana
The Hon. Prime Minister of Guyana
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas
Cabinet Ministers of Guyana and other Honourable Ministers of Government of the Caribbean Community
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Mr. James Moss-Solomon, Chairman, and other Members of the Task Force
Members of the Private Sector
Deputy Secretary-General and other members of the Executive Management of the CARICOM Secretariat
Other Distinguished Participants
Representatives of the Media
His Excellency the President of Guyana
The Hon. Prime Minister of Guyana
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas
Cabinet Ministers of Guyana and other Honourable Ministers of Government of the Caribbean Community
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Mr. James Moss-Solomon, Chairman, and other Members of the Task Force
Members of the Private Sector
Deputy Secretary-General and other members of the Executive Management of the CARICOM Secretariat
Other Distinguished Participants
Representatives of the Media
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I wish to acknowledge the lead taken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to observe 21 May as World Day for Cultural Diversity. This year’s observance takes place within the context of renewed international commitment to cultural diversity, given that a year ago on March 18, 2007, the international Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions entered into force.
Mr. Chairman
Hon. Robert Persaud, Minister of Agriculture, representing the Prime Minister of Guyana
Hon. Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism of Saint Lucia and Representative of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Lead Head of Government in the Quasi-Cabinet with responsibility for Sustainable Development
Ministers of Environment of CARICOM Member States
Assistant Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque and other members of Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Other Government Officials
Representatives of Agencies within the UN System