Colleague Heads
Secretary General of CARICOM
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have come to Montego Bay with a specific mission born of my recent stint as Chairman of this august body, cognizant of our limitations but fortified by our capacities and aspirations.

A mission to work and reason in the realm of what is possible, probable and pragmatic in the context of the environment in which we must operate. But more so, to ensure that in this 'new time' our resilience, allegiance and determination as a people serve as testimony of our loyalty to this region. It is from this reality that I proclaim the environment here in Jamaica conducive to having a successful 2010 Conference of Heads of Government.

I warmly welcome the esteemed leader of Trinidad and Tobago, Honourable Kamla Persaud-Bissessar and welcome back to our fold the distinguished Honourable Reuben Meade - Chief Minister of Montserrat and Comrade Denzil Douglas of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Colleague Heads, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am demitting office as Chairman of CARICOM, satisfied that we as a region achieved as much as we realistically could, under the current circumstances.

As I reflect on the work of CARICOM over the past decade and the personalities that have emerged as Heads of Government and Heads of delegations during that period, I cannot but defer with those who trace seeming inertia, to the quality of leadership or the commitment of leaders to the cause.

No one can convince me, that our region is any less endowed today than it was 15 years ago. However, we must remind ourselves that we are currently navigating a route that has yet to be traveled in the history of modern-day Caribbean civilization.

Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot speak on behalf of other leaders, but I know, in the case of Dominica, no previous leader has had to contend with the fiscal challenges which I confront daily.

Similarly, previous leaders in CARICOM have never had to function against the backdrop of the type of report that recently emanated from the G8 and G20 Meetings held in Canada.

In other words, ladies and gentlemen, it is the prerogative of some to fantasize about the good old days or how life could or would have been had their tenure been extended, but the reality is that the landscape around us has changed dramatically in the ensuing period, and none before has walked the prescribed path.

In that light, we cannot but appreciate that much of what remains undone simply could not have been done in the prevailing climate.

Ladies and gentlemen, I take great comfort in the fact that in each of our member states, the average single parent or public employee understands and accepts the gravity of the challenges we have confronted and the rationale for the wheels of progress turning slower than anticipated on certain critical issues.

Having said this, let me caution against pressures to meet timeframes and deadlines, and advise against responses and reactions, which may be more in the breach than in the observance. It is necessary for our commitment and philosophical embrace to become stronger than ever before.

For the past few years, Dominica had the lead responsibility for spearheading the issue of Free Movement of Community Nationals, under the broad theme of functional co-operation. Several categories of persons and professionals have already benefited from this free movement and the right to work.

Many among us would have liked to be told otherwise, but the fact is, at this time, it is proving very challenging to advance the processes of Free Movement and the Single Economy, as originally conceptualized, in all territories.

Ladies and gentlemen, I empathize with all those who are passionately committed to the cause, but who are finding it increasingly difficult to act with the necessary dispatch. Those of us who share this fate have recognised that there exist genuine issues which cannot be sidestepped or wished away.

I urge us to put aside our differences and move forward in hopeful expectation and come to the realization that individual member states require time to grapple with and overcome challenges of the global economic meltdown that has proven to be no respecter of nations.

Colleagues Heads, ladies and gentlemen, I believe the people we represent are quite capable of understanding that some member states are in 'survival mode,' and as a result certain initiatives which CARICOM and its related organs began pursuing multilaterally have become excessively demanding and may have to be revisited in keeping with global trends. At the same time, however, we have to act honorably and honor the solemn commitments made to tackle and resolve those issues that are within our capacity to so do.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am optimistic about the future of CARICOM because I firmly believe that all relevant interests recognize and appreciate that going backward is not an option.

CARICOM and regional unity as a whole are two topics that have generated an industry of independent writers, journalists many of whom – despite the realities of our political and economic history – are still under the illusion that there is some magic wand to be waved that will bring full economic and political union overnight.

The saying is true, that when times are tough: “it is time for a people to band together to stave off the impact of economic crisis.” and when times are good, the saying is: “this is the best time for the region to come together to consolidate on the gains.” My question to us today is: Who is “the region?” Surely, it cannot mean only the Heads of Government.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, recent public consultations on the CSME highlighted the extent of disconnect between the regional enterprise and the private sector, civil society and the media. I would like for us to approach this issue as a matter of urgency with cool, calm and collective minds and attitudes.

Survival in these times does not allow room for disconnect. Unless in cases of moral support and solidarity, shouting across the Caribbean Sea or pointing fingers in the other’s direction benefits no one.

A better starting point would be to make a concerted effort to study and understand each others individual interests and perspectives. Inaction should not be viewed as a sign of indifference. We must forge a relationship with each other.

One which can help us better understand why countries respond and react the way they do. It is from this vantage point that we can begin to bridge the traditional divide and continue to advance our gains.

Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps the greatest quality we possess as a people is the faith to hold on to what we believe in. Scripture describes faith as: '..the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things yet seen." Hebrew 11:1.

Colleague Heads, Caribbean politics is unique. As we welcome new faces, we remain loyal to a common vision for our region and the commitment of member states to remain steadfast in faith, that, by God’s Grace, CARICOM will emerge from this period of challenge, stronger and closer in pursuit of its objectives.

May God bless the people of this Region.