It is for me an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to be part of this historic occasion which the holding of the 10^th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government in Suriname represents.

My essential task this morning is to chair this Opening Session of that event. In doing so, however, I cannot fail to observe that this is undeniably a unique moment in the history of the Community, being the first such meeting in Suriname, which, after a mere four years of membership on the Community, has assumed leadership. And this, moreover, in an unprecedented manner, heading as it does three Community Organs simultaneously. It is therefore without doubt also a special moment in the history of the Government and peoples of Suriname, one for which they must be congratulated.

For the Community, so youthful a leadership represents a sigh of hope for the future. That hope is nowhere more dramatically symbolised than by the increasing involvement of the Youth of the Region in the activities which over this last year have marked the 25^th Anniversary Celebrations of the Community.

Distinguished Heads of State and Government, the brilliant debating performances which culminated here last night in the finals of the Secretary-General's Regional School Debating Competition, and the participation by representatives of that generation later today in the Retreat under the Chairmanship of the Community's youngest Member, should serve to assure us that there is much justification for the faith we are placing in the Youth of the Region for the future of this Community. That faith and those Youth are the Community's most vital assets.

For the new century, which is already upon us in all but numbers, will surely demand from this Community not only the wisdom of its leaders but also the innovativeness and vigour of its youth if we are to create a truly integrated and united Caribbean, equipped to respond to the myriad challenges ahead, and able to secure for our people in that brave new world, a place worthy of their aspirations.

Today's meeting here in Paramaribo is an important augury of that future. But, ladies and gentlemen, as we all know, auguries do not always match that which they portend, nor youthful promise always develop into mature performance. Now is the time, therefore, to take measures to secure the Community's future and, in that process, that of all Member States.

It is important, therefore, that we heed any signs of weakness or deformity in our structures and institutions, and rededicate ourselves to the process of the coming maturation of the regional movement. In that task, the solidarity and the commitment which the Community will need to succeed will rest increasingly of the shoulder of the Community's youthful leader, Suriname. We congratulate them, and will now invite their President and the Community's Chairman, His Excellency, Drs. Jules Wijdenbosch to address us.

But before actually doing so, we cannot fail to pay tribute to those whose pioneering efforts have laid the foundation for the progress which today's proceedings represent. Against this background, allow me to invite you at this first Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Community since the passing of two such pioneers, the Hon. William G. Demas, and Dr. Kurleigh D. King, former Secretaries-General of the Caribbean Community who departed this life a few months ago, to stand and observe a minute's silence in their honour.

...And now, His Excellency the President.