The Twenty-Ninth Meeting of the Conference of
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) was held at Bolans, Antigua and Barbuda
from 1-4 July 2008. The Prime Minister of Antigua
and Barbuda, Hon. Baldwin Spencer presided.
Other members of the Conference in attendance
were: the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. David J.
H. Thompson; the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth
of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit; the President
of the Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat
Jagdeo; the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Bruce
Golding; the Chief Minister of Montserrat, Hon. Dr
Lowell Lewis; the Prime Minister of the Federation
of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas;
the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Stephenson
King; the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves; the
President of Suriname, His Excellency Drs. Runaldo
R. Venetiaan; and the Prime Minister of the Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Patrick Manning.
Hon. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs represented The Bahamas,
Hon. Wilfred Elrington Attorney-General and Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade represented
Belize, Hon. Clarisse Charles, Minister of
Education, represented Grenada, Hon. Fritz
Longchamps, Secretary-General of the Presidential
Secretariat represented Haiti.
Associate Members in attendance were: the Chief
Minister of Anguilla, Hon. Osbourne Fleming; the
Leader of Government Business of the Cayman Islands,
Hon. Kurt Tibbetts and the Chief Minister of Turks
and Caicos Islands, Hon. Michael Misick. Bermuda was
represented by the Hon. Terry E. Lister, Minister of
Energy, Telecommunications and Commerce.
OPENING CEREMONY
The Chairman, the President of Guyana, the Prime
Minister of Jamaica and the Secretary-General
addressed the Opening Ceremony.
The Secretary-General drew attention to the fact
that it was not far from the site of the Opening
Ceremony that 43 years ago "three Caribbean
Visionaries" signed the Dickenson Bay Agreement that
set the Region on the road to Integration which led
to the Community being able to celebrate its 35th
Anniversary in 2008.
The Secretary-General said that both the external
and internal challenges facing the Community were
difficult "but times like these call for depth of
vision and resolute commitment to the integration
process drawing on the spirit of Dickenson Bay."
The Prime Minister of Jamaica said CARICOM was a
Community of sovereign nations with a shared
history, seeking to forge a common destiny while
recognising that sovereign nations could synchronize
their efforts for their common good and that in the
harsh, fiercely competitive global environment, the
challenges might be too much for each of us but not
too much for the community as a whole.
The Prime Minister said the world was caught in
the vortex of the worst global cyclone it has
experienced in his lifetime. "In this time of
crisis, strong leadership is critical. Leaders have
the duty to seize the opportunity and rise to the
occasion, to go where others are unwilling to go, to
grasp where others are unable to reach – if we are
to pilot the way through the storm. That is the
urgent demand that is made of us as leaders. CARICOM
provides the framework. The Caribbean people await
our response," he added.
The President of Guyana said that for the
regional enterprise to succeed the goals of
integration could not be continuously defined and
redefined. "We have to balance the seeming obsession
with architecture and framework and noble and lofty
ideas, however important they are, with the need to
work on practical initiatives - initiatives that
create opportunities for our young people and
entrepreneurs, initiatives that solve problems
facing our people on a daily basis, initiatives that
allow the Region to remain viable in the face of a
changing world," he said.
The President identified what he considered to be
three of the most pressing issues that had to be
tackled as a Community - feeding the people,
preparation of the people for a knowledge-based
world and climate change and its consequences. "They
represent systemic challenges but if tackled
aggressively could yield significant positive
dividends for our Region," he said.
The Chairman, the Prime Minister of Antigua and
Barbuda said there was manifest need for deep
introspection on the issue of re-engineering CARICOM
and said one of the targeted outcomes of the meeting
must be for the Community to move immediately to
engage the Bureau of Heads of Government in the
vital function of driving the implementation of key
decisions between regular Meetings and Inter-Sessional
Meetings.
The Chairman said an endemic communications gap
existed that CARICOM needed to bridge very urgently.
"We must, as a principal priority, elevate mass
communications with the Caribbean people to the top
of the CARICOM agenda," he added.
The Chairman said that at the completion of
CARICOM’s first thirty five years, there were many
blessings. "CARICOM has delivered distinct benefits
to the Caribbean people. If CARICOM did not exist we
would have had to invent it," he stated.
AWARDS
Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC)
Four outstanding Caribbean citizens were invested
with the Community’s highest honour, the Order of
the Caribbean Community.
They are: Professor Hon. Ralston (Rex) Nettleford,
of Jamaica O.M; His Excellency Dr. Nicholas Joseph
Orville Liverpool, DAH, of Dominica; Hon. George
Lamming, CHB of Barbados; and Mr. Brian Charles
Lara, T.C. of Trinidad and Tobago.
The CARICOM Triennial Award for Women
Professor Barbara Bailey of Jamaica was invested
with the CARICOM Triennial Award for Women. She
became the ninth holder of the Award.
SIGNINGS
The following Agreements and Treaty were signed
by some Member States:
- Agreement Establishing the Caribbean
Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS);
- Agreement Establishing Caribbean Disaster
Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA);
- Agreement Establishing the Caribbean
Development Fund (CDF);
- Maritime and Airspace Security Co-operation
Agreement; and
- CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty
CARICOM AT 35
To mark the 35th Anniversary of the Caribbean
Community, the Heads of Government attended a
Ceremony at Dickenson Bay, site of the signing of
the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA)
Treaty in 1965.
Heads of Government also took the opportunity to
reflect on the achievements of and contemplate the
way forward for the Community. In that regard, the
Heads of Government welcomed presentations from the
Hon. Roderick Rainford, former Secretary-General of
CARICOM and Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor of the
University of the West Indies.
Heads of Government identified several
achievements, challenges and responses and agreed
that among the strategic directions for future
sustainability included strengthening relations with
traditional partners while cultivating new ones,
strengthening governance arrangements in the
Community while ensuring that variable geometry
should be viewed as a positive aspect of the
Region’s development. Heads of Government renewed
the Region’s commitment to functional co-operation
and strengthening the marketing mechanism of the
Community through a concerted information, education
and communication programme and identified
meaningful engagement with the Diaspora as integral
to achieving a Community for All.
The Secretary-General of CARICOM in endorsing the
suggestions of the presenters thanked the past and
present leaders of the Community, the many
stakeholders and the staff of the CARICOM
Secretariat for their invaluable contributions to
the Community.
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago,
speaking on behalf of the Heads of Government,
hailed the achievements of the Community. He
referred in particular to the need to build on
successes such as the legacy of Cricket World Cup
2007 in the area of security and paid tribute to the
Secretary-General and Staff of the CARICOM
Secretariat.
The Dickenson Bay Declaration is annexed.
TOURISM
Heads of Government devoted the first business
day to discussion with representatives from the
Tourism, Hotel and Regional Airline Industries on
the options for enhancing regional Tourism in the
context of current international trends.
Heads of Government agreed on a strategy of a
Regional Marketing Campaign including the adoption
in principle, of a Caribbean Regional Brand and the
creation of a Marketing Campaign Fund, as well as
the establishment of timely and comprehensive
information gathering systems which would adequately
reflect the contribution of tourism to the national
economies.
A Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and
Economic Development (COTED) on Tourism will be
convened to examine the related modalities and
report to a meeting of the Bureau of Heads of
Government within the next sixty days.
Related practical proposals on the role and
challenges of Caribbean air carriers also engaged
the attention of the Heads who reaffirmed their
support for stronger collaboration and functional
cooperation among the Regional Airlines, the
establishment of Regional Hubs and a focus on
emerging new markets.
REGIONAL AIR TRANSPORT
The Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security
Oversight System (CASSOS) was established on the
signing by the Governments of Barbados, Guyana,
Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago of the
Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety
and Security Oversight System, and designated an
Institution of the Community by the Conference
pursuant to Article 21 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
CASSOS succeeds the Regional Aviation Safety
Oversight System (RASOS) with expanded functions. It
formalises arrangements for: coordinating in a cost
effective manner the sharing of the limited
technical aviation expertise of the region; the
harmonisation of training, licensing, certification
and inspection procedures; and providing technical
support to the participating States to enable them
to achieve and maintain full compliance with
international safety and security standards in
keeping with their obligations as contracting States
to the Convention on International Civil Aviation
(Chicago Convention, 1944).
The regional approach is consistent with the
global strategy promoted by ICAO and the US Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) to address safety and
security oversight issues in contracting states and
CARICOM joins other regions in establishing its own
entity membership of which is open to non-CARICOM
Caribbean States and territories.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT HEALTH AND AIDS
Children’s Issues
Heads of Government considered issues related to
child development and protection and endorsed a
Revised Framework for addressing children’s issues.
The revised framework, which now takes into account
the potential impact of climate change and actions
to deal with children in emergencies, will serve as
a framework for guiding and coordinating actions of
Member States and development partners. The Heads of
Government commended UNICEF and other development
partners for their continuing support in addressing
issues related to children in the Region. Heads also
learnt of plans for the CARICOM Children’s website
to engage children in greater awareness of the
integration process.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency
Heads of Government underlined the importance of
the process currently being undertaken for the
establishment of the Caribbean Public Health Agency
(CARPHA), intended to bring under a single
governance structure, the Regional Health
Institutions in order to provide comprehensive
oversight for the management of the Community’s
public health programme. They urged stakeholders to
participate actively in the national and regional
consultative processes with regard to CARPHA in
order to ensure effective linkages between the
national and regional public health systems. Heads
of Government extended appreciation to the Canadian
Government, PAHO/WHO and the Advisory Group for
their technical assistance in the development of the
new agency.
Caribbean Wellness Day 2008 - Follow-up to the
Summit on Non- Communicable Diseases
The inaugural Caribbean Wellness Day, a direct
result of the Port-of-Spain Declaration Summit in
2007, will be observed on 13 September 2008 with the
full support of Heads of Government. The core
activities to involve all Member States revolve
around, No tobacco, Less Salt, Less Fat, Daily
Exercise and blood pressure checks. The overall
programme which is included in the 15 actionable
recommendations of the Port of Spain Declaration:
Unifying against NCDs, contains a number of
activities aimed at reducing the incidence of
hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and obesity.
All Governments, the Private Sector, the labour
movement and individuals are expected to participate
in Caribbean Wellness Day and the Wellness
Revolution.
Heads of Government also agreed to explore the
issue of organ transplants and in particular, the
capacity of the Region to provide necessary
services.
HIV and AIDS
Heads of Government noted the progress being made
by PANCAP in the areas of coordinating the regional
response to HIV and AIDS and endorsed the Caribbean
Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS
(2008-2012) funding for which is to be sought from a
variety of sources including from the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis and from
Government contributions.
CARIFESTA
Heads of Government commended Guyana for the
plans laid out for hosting CARIFESTA X scheduled for
22-30 August, 2008 and agreed to promote the
festival at the national level to raise interest and
awareness among the general public.
The Caribbean Games
The Conference applauded Trinidad and Tobago for
agreeing to host the inaugural Caribbean Games
organized by the Caribbean Association of National
Olympic Committee (CANOC) and the Trinidad and
Tobago Olympic Association (TTOC) 13-19 July 2009.
The Games are intended to attract the best athletes
of the Region and will be held every four years.
Cuba has been identified as host of the 2013
Caribbean Games.
CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
Heads of Government welcomed the offer of the
Prime Minister of Barbados and Lead head of
Government with responsibility for the CSME, to host
a wide-ranging regional consultation on the CSME in
the second half of 2008. The meeting will review the
status of preparation of the Strategic Plan for
Regional Development, Member States’ readiness for
the implementation of the Single Economy, as well as
the role of stakeholders in the implementation of
the various elements of the CSME.
Free Movement
Heads of Government agreed that there should be a
review of the implementation of the free movement of
skilled Community nationals with a view to
determining its reaffirmation or modification.
Heads of Government reiterated that the right to
a six-month stay in Member States participating in
the Single Market should not be limited to holders
of CARICOM passports, but should also apply to
CARICOM citizens of Member States which have not yet
issued CARICOM passports. Heads of Government also
welcomed Jamaica’s introduction of the six-month
stay.
Heads of Government welcomed the confirmation by
Jamaica and information from Belize that they will
introduce the CARICOM passport by the end of 2008.
Montserrat
Heads of Government expressed their deep
disappointment that the Government of the United
Kingdom had denied the request of Montserrat for an
Entrustment which would enable that Member State’s
participation in the CARICOM Single Market and
Economy. Heads of Government urged the Government of
the United Kingdom to review its position on the
Entrustment.
CARICOM Development Fund
Heads of Government welcomed the launch of the
CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) with the requisite
signatures for its provisional application.
They observed that the launch, with an initial
sum of US $60 million towards its target of US$ 250
million, was an event of signal importance to the
integration process given that the Fund was critical
to achieving the objectives of equitable
distribution of the benefits of the CSME.
Heads of Government commended all contributing
states from both within and outside the Community
for having made the CDF a reality.
They recalled that the Fund was intended to
provide financial and technical assistance to
Disadvantaged Countries, Regions and Sectors. They
observed that their decision to add a more outwardly
oriented and dynamic element to the mandate of the
Fund had been captured by the inclusion of a
Regional Development Division in the CDF and called
on the international financial and donor community
to provide tangible support to this new institution.
Services
Heads of Government recognised that the Services
Sector is the largest sector of the Regional Economy
accounting for more than sixty-six (66) per cent of
GDP and employment, and no less than seventy (70)
per cent of export earnings.
To this end, they re-affirmed their support for
the establishment of national services coalitions
and called upon Member States to establish their
services coalitions by 31 December 2008.
Heads of Government also supported the work to
establish a harmonised regulatory framework for the
provision of professional services which would
establish the minimum qualifications and the
registration and licensing requirements.
Additionally, they supported the proposal to
convene a Regional Symposium on Services during the
fourth quarter of 2008, the results of which would
serve as contributing inputs into the Draft
Strategic Plan for Regional Development.
FOOD SECURITY, ENERGY COSTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Heads of Government in reviewing the impact and
regional response to global rising prices and the
developments in energy and climate change and the
implications for the Region’s food and nutrition
security, emphasized the need for governments to
provide the necessary budgetary support and
incentives for investment in agriculture,
particularly at this time. In view of the importance
of this issue on the respective development agendas,
Heads of Government recommitted their full support
to this sector.
Further, given the importance and the development
implications of Climate Change, the Conference
established a Task Force on Climate Change to give
direction for the way forward.
CRIME AND SECURITY
Heads of Government expressed continued concern
over the escalating threats to the Region from
crime, including trans-national crime, and its
resulting violent criminal activity at the national
level. The Conference received a briefing from the
Lead Prime Minister with regard to the Status of
Implementation of the decisions of the Nineteenth
Inter-Sessional and the Thirteenth Special Meetings
of the Conference of Heads of Government. They noted
that considerable progress had been made in the
implementation process.
Particular note was taken of the ongoing
requirements for the further strengthening of the
security mechanisms put in place for the CWC 2007,
the full implementation of the CARICOM Justice
Protection Programme and the urgent enactment of
legislation in support of the regional security
agenda.
With respect to deportation, Heads of Government
reaffirmed their commitment to the agreed CARICOM
position on deportation in the Member States’
respective bilateral negotiations with deporting
countries.
Heads of Government approved the implementation
in the shortest possible time, of the CARICOM Travel
Card (CARIPASS), as a mechanism to facilitate hassle
free travel within the Region for nationals and
legal residents of CARICOM without compromising the
security of the Community.
The Maritime and Airspace Security Cooperation
Agreement and the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty were
available for signature and were signed by those
Heads who had completed their internal processes.
Other Member States are expected to sign shortly.
Both these Agreements are considered vital in the
fight against trans-national organized crime.
Heads of Government have agreed to the deepening
of the co-operation between CARICOM and Interpol and
authorised the Secretary-General to sign the
Agreement on behalf of CARICOM.
BORDER ISSUES
Belize/Guatemala
Heads of Government were informed that the
Confidence Building Measures between Belize and
Guatemala, with the assistance of the Organisation
of American States (OAS), still continue. They were
pleased to learn that the illegal settlers at Santa
Rosa have been removed from Belize and resettled in
a humane way in their own country, Guatemala. This
relocation project was made possible through the
generous contributions of the Governments of Mexico,
the United States of America, the United Kingdom,
Turkey and Spain.
Heads of Government were informed that on the
occasion of the 38th Regular Session of the OAS
General Assembly held in Medellin, Colombia, the
Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala met with
the Secretary-General of the OAS, His Excellency
José Miguel Insulza. Their discussions centred on
preparations for the next steps to be taken by
Belize and Guatemala, toward the implementation of
the recommendation of the OAS Secretary-General for
both countries to elevate the matter of the
Territorial Differendum to the International Court
of Justice.
The meeting highlighted the serious commitment of
both countries to move forward expeditiously and in
a structured manner to start preparations for the
holding of public consultations and referenda in
both countries on the issue. Before the case can be
taken to the International Court of Justice, a
referendum must be held simultaneously in both
countries; a bi-partisan political commitment in
Belize and a constitutional requirement for
Guatemala.
Heads of Government reiterated their full support
for the maintenance of the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Belize.
Guyana/Venezuela
Heads of Government took note of the recent
developments in Guyana/Venezuela relations and the
efforts being made to resuscitate the United Nations
Good Offices Process which is aimed at finding a
solution to the controversy that arose from the
Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of
1899 is null and void.
They expressed the view that it was therefore
critical for a new Special Representative of the
United Nations Secretary-General to be appointed as
soon as possible in order to advance the Good
Offices Process.
Heads of Government re-affirmed their unequivocal
support for the safeguarding of Guyana’s territorial
integrity and sovereignty and its right to develop
its resources in the entirety of its territory.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
The Hemisphere
New York Conference on the Caribbean
Heads of Government mandated the Community
Council to ensure appropriate follow-up by the
respective Councils in relation to the issues of
relevance to these Bodies raised at the 2008 New
York Conference on the Caribbean. They also agreed
to accept the offer of Congressman Charles Rangel to
make use of his good offices and that of members of
the Black Caucus to engage the US Congress and
Administration to actively promote the interests of
the Caribbean Community.
Heads of Government expressed deep appreciation
to Congressman Rangel for facilitating the visit and
for providing the opportunity for the engagement
with the various parties.
Heads of Government also commended the New York
Consular Corps for spearheading the arrangements for
the visit and the Caucus of Ambassadors in
Washington, regional officials and the CARICOM
Secretariat for the support provided in this regard.
Canada
Heads of Government noted developments in
relation to preparations for CARICOM-Canada
negotiations for a Trade and Development Agreement.
They underlined the importance for Member States to
undertake the necessary consultations with
stakeholders.
Heads of Government viewed this as important in
the light of the proposed Summit with the Prime
Minister of Canada which would provide the political
impetus for enhancing the Special Relationship
between CARICOM and Canada.
Summit of The Americas
Heads of Government noted with satisfaction, the
arrangements being put in place by the Government of
Trinidad and Tobago to host the Fifth Summit of the
Americas (V-SOA) in 2009 under the theme:
Securing our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human
Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental
Sustainability.
Heads of Government received the presentation of
the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on the
preparations of that Government for this major event
and agreed to support the Government of Trinidad and
Tobago in ensuring the successful hosting of the
Fifth Summit of the Americas.
Heads of Government requested the Government of
Trinidad and Tobago to keep all the Organs and
Bodies of the Community apprised of any issues and
developments regarding the Summit.
TRADE
CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA)
Heads of Government reviewed the process towards
signature of the CARIFORUM-EC Partnership Agreement,
to which several of them expressed readiness to
sign.
They also considered possible implications of
some provisions of the Agreement particularly for
the designated Less Developed Countries of CARICOM.
Heads of Government noted that national
consultations would be held in Guyana before a
decision is taken to sign the Agreement.
Heads of Government welcomed the confirmation of
Barbados for the signing of the Agreement with 30
July or 30 August as possible dates for the event.
Bananas
Heads of Government reviewed developments in
relation to Bananas the discussions on rebinding of
the European Union (EU) Most Favoured Nation (MFN)
tariff on Bananas taking place between the EU and
Latin American banana exporting countries under the
good offices of the WTO Director-General. In this
regard they issued the Statement attached.
Latin America
Heads of Government accepted the offer of the
Government of Jamaica to represent the Caribbean
Community in the Rio Group for the period 2008-2011.
They reiterated the need and importance for
Member States, in the context of the emergence of
new development partners and the outreach efforts by
Third Countries, to respect and honour the
provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Zimbabwe
Heads of Government reviewed the situation in
Zimbabwe and agreed to issue the following
statement:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has
followed with great concern the general
elections in Zimbabwe and the subsequent
presidential runoff of 27 June. The first round
of the electoral process was tarnished by grave
irregularities and inordinate delays in the
announcement of the results and allegations of
manipulation of these results to force a runoff.
The second round of the presidential elections
was further marred by spiralling political
violence, intimidation and harassment which led
to the withdrawal of the opposition candidate,
Mr. Tsvangirai.
The Caribbean Community condemns this
unacceptable trampling of the democratic and
electoral processes in Zimbabwe. Held in
circumstances which made a free and fair ballot
impossible, these elections were totally devoid
of legitimacy as they did not reflect the will
of the people of Zimbabwe.
While acknowledging the complexity and
sensitivity of the situation in Zimbabwe, the
Caribbean Community, steeped as it is in the
democratic process, calls on the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) and the
African Union (AU) to use their best efforts to
find a negotiated outcome to this flawed
election in order to avoid a further deepening
of the social, economic and political crisis for
the people of Zimbabwe and its harmful effect on
neighbouring states.
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
Heads of Government welcomed the Foreign Minister
of the Republic of Cuba who made a presentation on
the arrangements being put in place for the Fourth
CARICOM- Cuba Summit which will take place in
Santiago de Cuba on 8 December 2008. He also updated
information on Cuba’s co-operation programmes with
CARICOM Member States. He also underlined Cuba’s
view on the new phase being attained by the
integration process in the Hemisphere with the
establishment of ALBA and of UNASUR. Heads of
Government also welcomed the Secretary-General of
the OAS and discussed ways in which CARICOM and the
OAS could work together. The OAS Secretary-General
indicated that his organization would continue to
observe and report on the quality of elections in
the region. Trade, economic growth, climate change
and crime were seen as the most salient issues
confronting the Community and on which both
organizations could cooperate.
In this regard, he highlighted the forthcoming
conference on crime and security scheduled to take
place in Mexico in October of this year and which
would incorporate the outcomes of the CARICOM
Special Meeting of the Conference on Security.
Heads of Government further welcomed the new
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth who presented
them with his guiding perspectives for that
organisation.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General highlighted
the issues of globalizing the Commonwealth’s
services by sharing the Commonwealth’s products with
non-member states, leveraging the credibility of the
Commonwealth Secretariat with international
partners, investigating new processes for
partnerships which would not be based on financial
resources but built on other platforms and the
importance of embracing diversity, “the intrinsic
strength of the Commonwealth”.
The Chairman of the Conference thanked the
Secretary-General for his overview and indicated
that CARICOM would provide its views on how the
Commonwealth could further assist small states.
Heads of Government also approved the Marlborough
House Statement on the reform of international
financial institutions.
APPOINTMENTS
Heads of Government appointed Mr. Henry Gill as
Director-General of the Caribbean Regional
Negotiating Machinery (CRNM).
MESSAGES
Heads of Government noted with appreciation
messages of congratulation on the 35th Anniversary
of CARICOM which came from the President of the
Federative Republic of Brazil, the Premier of the
Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
and the Director-General of the Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Heads of Government expressed sincere
appreciation to the Government and people of Antigua
and Barbuda for the warm hospitality extended to
them and the excellent arrangements put in place for
the Meeting.
VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
The 20th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference
of Heads of Government will be held in Belize in the
first quarter of 2009.
TWENTY-NINTH MEETING OF THE
CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT
OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM)
1-4 JULY 2008, BOLANS, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA,
STATEMENT ON BANANAS
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community,
meeting in Antigua & Barbuda on July 2-4, 2008,
examined matters affecting the level of preferential
access to the European market - preferences that
have been instrumental in raising thousands of small
farmers out of poverty, enabled them to achieve
commendable levels of social and environmental
responsibility and which have facilitated the
contribution of the banana industry to the
development of the Member States concerned.
Heads of Government noted that, while the
recently initialled Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) will shield the Region’s preferential access
to the EU market from further legal challenge in the
WTO, developments in negotiations under the Doha
Development Agenda (DDA) threatened to reduce
severely the European Union’s MFN tariff on bananas,
which is the instrument that enables the Region to
continue exporting profitably to the European
market.
It was observed that the group of MFN suppliers –
who were granted quota-free access to the EU market
in January 2006 and whose exports have increased by
10% since then - have continued to call for
substantial reductions in the EU’s tariff, the only
effect of which would be to severely damage the
interests of Caribbean producers. It was noted, in
contrast, that, in 2007, banana exports by the
African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group to the EU
declined by 9% and that almost every CARICOM
exporter experienced declines in their exports for
that year.
Heads of Government further noted that, once
again, the Caribbean had found itself excluded from
discussions between the EU and the MFN suppliers,
the results of which could be devastating for its
economic interests. Heads of Government also
observed that, in the WTO Doha negotiations, the
same group of countries, claiming to be interested
in the liberalization of “tropical products”, has as
its main objective the elimination of the small
share of the EU market available to banana producers
in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
countries.
Heads of Government noted with appreciation, the
Joint Statement emanating from a Meeting of
Ministers of agriculture and representatives of
Cameroon, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, France,
Ghana, Greece, Cote d’Ivoire, Jamaica, Madagascar,
Portugal, Spain and Suriname held in Paris on April
30, 2008, which upheld the importance of maintaining
a stable banana market in the EU, catering in a
balanced way to the interests of all those who
participate in it.
They also reaffirmed the Resolution of the 87th
Session of the ACP Council of Ministers held in
Addis Ababa on June 8-13, 2008, which, among other
things, rejected any proposal that would have the
effect of drastically reducing the current applied
tariff of Euro 176/tonne.
Heads of Government affirmed that, if the outcome
of the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations are
to be balanced, there must be suitable treatment for
bananas and other products that are the subject of
long-standing preferences and that if this were not
to be the case, Caribbean countries would find it
impossible to join in any consensus that may emerge
in the current talks.
4 July 2008
DECLARATION OF DICKENSON BAY
We, the Heads of Government of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), meeting at Dickenson
Bay, Antigua and Barbuda, on the occasion of the
Twenty-Ninth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of
Government, and on the 35th Anniversary of the
Community;
Recalling the historic signing, 43 years
ago, of the Dickenson Bay Agreement that brought
into existence the Caribbean Free Trade Association
(CARIFTA) which evolved into the Caribbean
Community;
Acknowledging the vision of unity of the
Founding Fathers of the Caribbean Community;
Being conscious of the accomplishments of
the Community over the past 35 years, including the
launching of the Single Market and the commitment to
the establishment of the Single Economy;
Noting that the regional integration
process remains the only viable option for a
Community of small developing states in the current
global economic dispensation;
Recognising the need for strong leadership
and resolute commitment to the integration process;
Affirming the continuing need to invest in
the development of the human and other resources of
the Community in the movement towards deeper
integration, and to ensure that our citizens live in
a peaceful and safe environment, that they enjoy an
improved standard of living and quality of life, and
that their rights are protected;
Fully convinced that communication with
and the participation and involvement of the Peoples
of the Community are critical to meeting the
objectives of the Community;
Acknowledging the communication gap that
exists across/within the Community and the need to
elevate mass communication with the Caribbean people
to the top of the Regional agenda;
Declare:
Our renewed commitment to regional
integration;
Full support for the initiatives to advance
the achievement of the objectives as set out in
the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas;
That we will use all means possible to
galvanise the People of the Community as active
participants in the integration process and
embrace the media and other stakeholders as
partners to accomplish this objective;
Our full support for the streamlining of the
procedures of the integration process including
an enhanced role for the Bureau of Heads of
Government in representing the Community, in
fostering implementation of Community decisions;
and further strengthening of the quasi cabinet;
Our support for a variable geometry of
integration which would allow for variation in
the pace of accession to the integration
arrangements;
Our intention to strengthen national systems
to advance implementation of Community
decisions;
Our intention to give renewed attention to
the elaboration of the best methods by which the
above objectives may be realised.
4 July 2008
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