Mr. Chairman
Assistant Secretary-General for CARIFORUM in the CARICOM Secretariat
Representatives of Member States and Stakeholders
Members of the media

This meeting here today further crystallises the concept of the direct involvement of non-state actors in the decision-making process in the Caribbean. And it is that reality which gives me particular pleasure at being here to be part of this exercise.

It is also apt that this session between the public sector and civil society is taking place in Haiti, a country with a strong tradition in the involvement of civil society. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of Haiti for the superb arrangements put in place for this series of meetings which has placed Haiti at the centre of Caribbean life this week. I thank you also for the warm and gracious welcome we have had.

The Caribbean undoubtedly has among its peoples the intellectual capacity to complete any task which lies before it. It is in the implementation that we have been found wanting and in part this can be attributed to the lack of involvement of all sectors and a clear definition of the roles to be played by each one. This has begun to change and all of you gathered around this table here today are testimony to this fact.

It goes without saying that the use of the resources of the 10th European Development Fund must be prioritised in such a way that the CARIFORUM region comes out of this cycle with the maximum benefit. That is why it is so important that all stakeholders are part of the decision-making process as to the deployment of those resources. And that is why it is also important that responsible, mature decisions are taken in the best interest of the Caribbean Region.

Given today’s world of interdependence and regionalism, we have a framework within which to view the work upon which we are about to embark. We must bear in mind that in setting out our priorities, the regional good is paramount even though the direct benefit may be gained at the national level.

The enhancement of capacity of any of our Member States to better participate in the regional, hemispheric and global economy is a key element in this cycle. It is not an inexhaustible supply of resources that is available under the EDF, and the recent discussions in Montego Bay have left us less than assured that the European Union is willing to make any significant effort to buffer against such setbacks as this region is experiencing, in the sugar and banana industries, for example.

It is therefore incumbent upon us to draw upon our creativity and productivity to ensure that those resources which are available are put to optimal use. Let us therefore make the best use of our time here today.

There has been an important development since the last meeting of stakeholders: the Council of CARIFORUM Ministers agreed two years ago to the full integration of the CARIFORUM Secretariat into the CARICOM Secretariat. I say full integration because CARIFORUM and CARICOM have long worked together, and as you are aware the Secretary-General has long worn the two hats – Secretary General of CARICOM and Secretary-General of CARIFORUM.

This full integration effectively took place on 1 April 2006 when the Executive Director, Mr Percival Marie joined the Secretariat to deal with CARIFORUM matters. This was further concretised with the establishment of a directorate for CARIFORUM bringing the number of Directorates within the CARICOM Secretariat to four, and the assumption of duty as Assistant Secretary-General of this Directorate by Mr Wilys Ramirez Diaz of the Dominican Republic. I welcome Mr Ramirez and invite you to give him a warm welcome in this capacity.

I thank you.