Politics
Britain promises CARICOM continued support on global stage
Britain says it will help the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) deal with global issues that affect their economies. Newly accredited British Ambassador to CARICOM, Victoria Dean, Wednesday pledged to play the role of advocate for the region in the pursuit of its objectives as she presented her credentials to CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque.
The United Kingdom diplomat said her country would play the role of conduit for CARICOM’s views on the global stage and support member states in their relations with third states in respect of trade. She recognized that despite being vulnerable to external shocks and climate change, CARICOM were resilient, adaptable and creative.
Dean went on to say, “The current economic situation in some CARICOM members highlights that challenging environment we all find ourselves in. And it also highlights the vulnerability. Exogenous shocks come hard and fast in this region.” She also added, “The peoples of the Caribbean are resilient and adaptable, and have to be. Climate change is perhaps the most serious and alarming of these challenges, and will require that resilience and adaptability to come to the fore, along with creativity, investment and forward planning.”
Dean also promised to use her period of duty to work with CARICOM in ensuring that climate change is kept at the top of the agenda, and to ensure that support from the UK was delivered. She said that London would continue to support the reform process in the Community in “practical and very tangible” ways. She stated, “I am an avid believer in the importance of regional cooperation and integration, and the many often unseen and unexplained benefits it can bring to countries and citizens.
Furthermore, she indicated, “That said, it means I also know how complex and tricky the development and integration experience can be; these bodies take time and care to build; and the UK firmly believes there is a growing role for CARICOM to play and wants to work with you to help foster that.”
In his address, La Rocque said CARICOM’s relationship with the United Kingdom is a historically important, strong and strategic one that is always evolving. He said that UK-CARICOM relations are as diverse as they are deep, spanning from diplomatic and commercial to social and cultural ties, strengthened by a vibrant and active Caribbean diaspora in the United Kingdom.
He went on to stat, “These ties are further bolstered by the UK-Caribbean Forum which provides an important opportunity for identifying, discussing and agreeing upon the priorities for our co-operation bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally.” He then proceeded to say, “CARICOM looks forward to yet another productive exchange in June on such issues of mutual importance as security, climate change, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, sustainable trade and economic growth.”
