(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is a distinct honour, to address you at this auspicious occasion to deliberate on topics that can lead us to a peaceful, prosperous and a healthy community.

I take advantage of this occasion to compliment the Government and People of Saint Lucia for a warm welcome and excellent arrangements which will contribute to making this meeting a productive one.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

There is great change occurring around us. This is a time of a global transformation that is noticeable at many levels. We can see change unfold as we observe a global economic shift. The spark of change we see when we look into the eyes of our youngest, tells us that we are no longer meant to live in a world where we merely follow. We must now lead!

CARICOM citizens: the greatest task with which we are faced is to wield this great season of transformation by allowing ourselves to change. We have to change the way we, as CARIBBEAN Community, view ourselves. We have to enhance the way we use to view each other. We have to interact with each other in such a way that we terminate the old practice of following examples.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I speak to you not only as President of a country for which I see gigantic perspectives, but I also speak to you as a CARICOM leader, supporting a set of brand new ideas for this region.

This perception that was already manifest has further evolved during the period since January 1, and I take this opportunity to shed some light on what we have achieved so far.

This has been the calendar of many activities:

January 1st 2012, I was honored to assume the chairmanship of CARICOM for the period of six months. In these last six months there have been remarkable moments: First and foremost we initiated discussions on the transformation needed at our Secretariat to become, a more effective and efficient instrument in achieving our integration objectives, with the report of the consultant as a guide. This can be marked as one of the most important steps towards strengthening our resolve to deliver tangible results to our peoples.

February 2012, visit of the Bureau of Heads to Haiti, renewing the Region’s commitment to rebuild this nation devastated by the 2010 earthquake. A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was signed as the Region’s commitment to shoulder the burden of the people of Haiti at this difficult juncture in their history;

March 2012, Hosting and chairing of the INTER-SESSIONAL meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, focused around the special theme: Healthy women-wealthy region.

I can assure you that my country was very proud to share with you all our extraordinary culinary specialties as well as our multicultural aspects of society, which undoubtedly contributed to the success of this gathering;

March 2012,The adoption by our Heads of the initiative of creating Economic Joint Ventures for the Establishment of CARICOM Enterprises; a plan of action which can lead to economic advancement of the region, while making us less dependent on foreign aid. I wish to inform you that Suriname has taken concrete actions towards the implementation of this initiative by negotiating with Trinidad and Tobago and coming to far-reaching cooperation agreements during the last few months in the field of energy and mining. Discussions took place with other CARICOM Member States, - of which I can mention Guyana - as well as financial institutions. Technical experts are now busy working out further details of this initiative. March 2012, the launch of the Regional Sports Academy in March 2012 by presenting the first group of students in its pilot phase.

April 2012, The hosting of the COFCOR meeting in Suriname bringing our Member states closer in foreign relations strategizing and cooperation;

May 2012, CARICOM-Mexico Summit, Bridgetown Barbados: A very constructive exchange of views with the President of Mexico on economic matters of concern to our Community. President Calderon, as incoming chair of the G20, had a receptive ear with regard to the necessity of making concessional loans within reach of member states, which have been classified as middle-income countries.

A generous program for assistance and cooperation also came out of our deliberations with this sister nation;

June 2012, Induction of the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and hosting of the First CARICOM- UNASUR High Level Youth Exchange. The main purpose of this High Level Youth Exchange was to facilitate high level discussions between myself and the youth of both regions as well as to deepen the cultural integration between youth of CARICOM and UNASUR. In practice, what happened during this exchange was far more inspiring. This exchange with young minds from The Bahamas to the southern tip of the Continent with the participation of Chile, sent a wave of energizing hope and determination that resounded with everyone present.

In doing so, Suriname is trying to fulfill a bridge-function between CARICOM and UNASUR, which we consider most challenging with a view to economic, social, political and cultural integration between our countries and peoples.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Our inter linkage within the framework of interregional cooperation is being tested by the accelerating developments, which we have witnessed within our region over the past months. We bore witness of the birth of CELAC as a new and very important organization in our region, charged with the meaningful task of creating a strong cooperation mechanism for the countries of the Western hemisphere.

CARICOM member states have committed themselves to intensify their participation in this new organization, accepting the new challenges with regard to a correct positioning within this organization, driven by the need to safeguard the interests of their citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20 has just come to an end. The expectations for a favorable outcome for our Member States with its vulnerabilities as a result, amongst others, of climate change, have not delivered.

One more time it has been evident that for our own development, we are the ones that have to take measures against these threats. Innovation and creativeness are the tools we need to use in order to gear our efforts towards the potentials which we possess as a Community. Thereby we have to focus on our natural resources, particularly minerals, water, fertile soil, our geographical favorable position and a well educated population. It is within this framework that Suriname came with the proposal to establish CARICOM enterprises.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Unity and solidarity are the real corner stones towards our success. In the city of Cartagena at the last Summit of the Americas, we have been heavily challenged and we have succeeded in countering efforts to divide us very successfully. A similar experience we have met in the ACP context in Europe. Suriname is very proud and recognizant for the way in which CARICOM acted as a monolithic bloc, by vehemently rejecting the strategy to divide and rule, which in the past has been applied on so many occasion. We have to continue on this same path because it is the only way to free ourselves from unwanted interference that only serves interests contrary to ours.

These, as well as other moments within my tenure as Chair of CARICOM, have all contributed to developing the conviction that only unwavering solidarity and determination must be the driving force in our community as well as in our region.

Suriname and Guyana recently participated in meetings of MERCOSUR and UNASUR in the city of Mendoza, the Southern part of Argentina, where we have experienced once again the power of unity and solidarity aimed at strengthening our democratic principles as a fundamental condition to achieve peace, harmony and sustainable development.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I now want to thank the entire Caribbean Community for the support, trust and confidence given to me. It is indeed this kind of support that is the necessary foundation for any form of leadership to carry tasks successfully.

Special words of thanks and appreciation are also fitting to the CARICOM Secretariat and its staff under the able stewardship of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque. The various consultations carefully prepared by the professional team of the Secretariat, were a positive contribution to my success as Chair of CARICOM.

I also thank the Members of the Bureau for their unwavering support. To my friend, Kenny, I wish him every success during his tenure in the coming six months. Be assured that you can always call on me for any support.

Finally, I call upon the entire Caribbean Community to continue having faith in their Organization in its strive to realize prosperity and wellbeing and maintaining long-lasting peace for all.

My country Suriname will remain committed a true friend of the Caribbean.

THANK YOU!