I address this Opening Ceremony of the Nineteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community with great honour and pleasure.

Having had the good fortune to dialogue with some of my colleague Heads bilaterally, this is the first opportunity for me to engage, as it were, with the region. I have been looking forward to this meeting and to a fruitful outcome in the interest of our people.

May I be presumptuous enough to extend a special welcome to those colleagues who, like me, are joining the regional discourse at the Inter-Sessional level for the first time, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Prime Minister Stephenson King, present in his full Prime Ministerial capacity, for the first time.

It is my prayer that we can advance the work of the region with fervour out of this meeting. I also hope that we use this new mandate from a significant proportion of the people of CARICOM – who have spoken in general elections the past year - to make this meeting a watershed in the development of our region. Colleagues, a change in administration is more often than not synonymous with a shift in policy.

While that may be the case in many other instances, the government and people of Barbados remain resolutely committed to the ideals, principles and business of the Caribbean Community. Several of the issues for discussion at this Meeting encompass matters of critical importance to us. Foremost of these are the rising cost of living which deeply affects all Caribbean people, major criminal incursions on our way of life and the complexities that retard regional air and maritime transport.

Now is the time for this consortium of new leaders to inject novel perspectives and employ a spirit of vigour towards extending the many benefits accruing to the region’s people. We can accomplish this through progressive thinking and strong vision.

At this point, I am compelled to ask of this gathering that it draws on and employs that Caribbean resolve and spirit in a matter impacting on all of us. The government and people of Guyana have suffered immeasurable losses in the past month in an intolerable spate of senseless crime.

We in Barbados stand firmly in solidarity with our comrades from Guyana and resolutely condemn these acts of apparent random barbarity. Let us send a clear message to these assassins that we are ready, willing and able to put at the disposal of the Government of Guyana whatever assistance is necessary to carry out its primary role of protecting its people.

If one of our member Governments is perceived as incapable of bringing criminals to justice, then what is there to stop criminals elsewhere from challenging the authority of Governments?

As is customary, and in keeping with best practices as outgoing Chair of CARICOM, allow me to highlight the work of the past six months and to assist in pointing the way forward.

But before I do so, I would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution that my predecessors, and in particular my immediate predecessor have made to the deepening of the relationship between the member states of CARICOM. You will recall that the Right Honourable Owen Arthur, as Prime Minister of Barbados and following on the work of his predecessor, had lead responsibility for establishing the Caricom Single Market and Economy - one of the most important and sensitive components of the integration movement.

It is generally believed in Barbados and abroad that he piloted this project with tremendous insight, tenacity and skill.

I would therefore like to recommend that this august body create a lasting tribute, in the form of a University Chair or some other relevant regional programme that would bring lasting benefits to future generations of Caribbean people. We need not look too far to find something to which we can lend the name of the ex-Prime Minister of Barbados.

My government has undertaken to lead the people of Barbados down Pathways to Progress. At this Nineteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference, I entreat us to do the same for all Caribbean citizens by bringing a fresh approach and adopting a broader perspective to the matters before us.

The new composition of the Council lends itself to that near perfect blend of youth, dynamism, experience and innovation.

Though attending this forum for the first time as Heads of Government, the four newest entrants each served rather long apprenticeships, each having been active in the politics of their respective countries for no less than 15 years.

The status of being in opposition is where politicians are said to be closest to the masses – not that such status is to be otherwise envied. That is why it should be expected that we obviously may be more eager and aggressive in our resolve to get things done.

It is for this reason that I have suggested to Prime Minister Manning, and he has graciously offered to host, an informal meeting of leaders of Caricom – away from the formal agendas - at the earliest opportunity.

I believe that with the infusion of four new leaders and the return of your good self, Mr. Host Prime Minister, we need to take fresh guard, know where each of us stands on the critical issues and breathe a new sense of focus and purpose into our regional movement. Our agenda must be that of the collective populations that we represent. We need to each sign on philosophically to a precise flight plan for getting to our destination.

This Conference has the distinction of being able to merge the experienced and novel perspectives represented at this Conference to provide the platform for that informal exercise.

The key issues appear to be: First: lowering the cost of living. The Common External Tariff, as a measure to safeguard regional production and exports, continues to be a key strategic economic tool. In the face of rising global prices, food security is increasingly imperilled and we must respond.

An examination of the CET must lead to firm decisions by all of us on its removal from products essential to a wider and healthier basket of goods. Complete consensus is not guaranteed, nor necessarily recommended, for the obvious reason that each Member State seeks to protect its sensitive and highly productive industries. But in this too arise viable solutions.

I have held discussions with the Honourable Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt to discuss increased flows of agricultural produce to Barbados and Prime Minister Manning on the means of transport to get them there. I also spoke with Prime Minister Gonsalves on these and – I might add – plethora of other issues.

A sound transport policy must be developed as a matter of urgency - not only the cost of transport for leisure and business but also the supply of foods for our sustenance. Second, the Task Force on Functional Cooperation headed by Sir George Alleyne has produced an excellent report providing guidance on advancing the Community’s work in that area. It speaks to creating a CARICOM which is relevant to all, engendering a sense of belonging to the Community.

This Community’s greatest triumphs and successes have emerged from functional cooperation initiatives.

It is therefore imperative to give due consideration and attention to the recommendations of the report as functional cooperation has the potential to provide solutions to many regional challenges.

The international economic order is changing and the Caribbean can ill afford stagnation. This recognition has led to the successfully negotiated Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe.

Seeking a more mature and beneficial relationship on equal terms is the standard that must be ascribed to in this and future trade negotiations.

I eagerly anticipate in this regard the report of the Reflections Group to help guide the region in its future bilateral economic engagements.

Finally, the CSME continues to advance, entering its third year of operation. There can be no doubt that much has been accomplished in the creation of the Single Market. The Regional Competition Commission has been enacted most recently and two additional categories for free movement approved.

The attention of the region is now shifting towards the full establishment of the Single Economy by 2015. It is intended to accelerate this work in the coming months.

This chapter of our integration must be approached with continued dedication and resolve. The Financial Services Agreement, which seeks to enhance policy harmonisation and the CARICOM Investment Code with a similar mandate, is proposed for implementation in short order.

The Regional Development Fund must remain at the forefront of our minds since the commencement of its operations will give greater value to those disadvantaged in the exercise of the CSME.

The work ahead is great but it must be met undaunted.

The challenge today for us is to lead our citizens on the pathways to progress, maintaining our high standard of living that others want to enjoy while promoting the ultimate goal of social justice. Prime Minister Ingraham is a tried and proven stalwart in regional affairs. He knows that the time has come for us to cut the Gordian knot.

It is therefore with the utmost confidence and with every good wish that I relinquish the Chairmanship to his capable leadership.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org