BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has called upon Foreign Ministers of the region to lead the charge in promoting sound policies that would assist in strengthening economic resilience.
Addressing the opening of the two-day 45th Meeting of the of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in Georgetown, Guyana, Ambassador LaRocque reminded the Minsters of the seriousness in the vulnerability of the region to catastrophic events.
He stated that the devastating climatic events of last September have put at risk the efforts to stimulate growth and development in the region.
The SG pointed to the agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, housing, infrastructure, energy, and communications sectors – as being some of the areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
The economic impact is not limited to the affected countries alone, he stated, but rather the wider Caribbean.
“Even as relief efforts continue, the task of reconstruction and rebuilding must get underway. This is critical not only to re-energising the economy but also to provide for the social needs of the people as they recover from a traumatic experience.”
Dominica and Barbuda, two-member states coming under CARICOM’s umbrella, were devastated, while, Anguilla, St. Maarten, BVI, USVI and Puerto Rico, among other island nations, sustained heavy damage from the hurricanes – with many still in ruins.
Against that backdrop, the SG stressed that governments and people of member states stood up to be counted “in the hour of need of our stricken Members and Associate Members”.
“And now we will all have to play a part in rebuilding the countries in a manner that enhances resilience to adapt to and to mitigate the effects of climate change. We must seize this opportunity and help the countries build back better and become the first climate-resilient nations in the world.”
He elucidated that “we cannot do this alone”, noting that they have convened a high-level meeting with the United Nations, slated for November 21.
“Through this event, we are seeking the co-operation of our international development partners, the private sector and private foundations to help rebuild the countries ravaged by these hurricanes.
“A broader objective is to assist the entire Community to improve its resilience to adapt to the effects of climate change. We must prepare for the next catastrophic hurricane, flood or drought since climate change is the new normal.”
To this end, the Secretary General intimated, “It is clear that we will have to strengthen our capacity to plan for that new normal.”
