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• Secretary-General Consults with Caribbean Leaders

Secretary-General Consults with Caribbean Leaders

4 July 2006

'Commonwealth support for Caribbean states – individually and collectively,' was the theme of an address by Secretary-General Don McKinnon.

This was at a working lunch with 15 Heads of Government and 5 Chief Ministers of UK overseas territories, in St Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday 4th July 2006.

The meeting was part of the 27th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which the Secretary-General attended.

Mr McKinnon told leaders, "We are right behind you on all that you're doing to strengthen your regional economic ties, especially with the new Caribbean Single Market and Economy, and we're also working with you to confront your most pressing social challenges. Some of the best of our Commonwealth work here in the Caribbean is in empowering and training young people to realise their full potential, and educating both sufferers and societies about HIV/AIDS.

"Listening to CARICOM debates yesterday, I saw - yet again - a reflection of wider Commonwealth debates, as you ask yourselves what really binds you together", he told leaders. "And like the wider Commonwealth, you have settled on an answer that transcends even the rich culture, history and shared endeavours of these Caribbean islands: and that is, the mutually reinforcing partnership that is Democracy and Development."

He continued: "Democracy is a process of constant hard work and renewal, all over the Commonwealth. That is why we are continuing to give all possible support to Guyana in the run-up to its elections. Five years ago, President Bharath Jagdeo invited us to help strengthen electoral institutions and best practice, and to promote dialogue between political parties. Our commitment now is greater than ever.

"Meanwhile our support for Development in the Caribbean - to the tune of some £6 million a year channelled largely through technical assistance projects to build local capacity - has one simple aim. That is to fight poverty and improve the lot of Caribbean citizens through better education, health and job prospects."

Mr McKinnon observed that,"32 of our 53 Commonwealth countries are officially classified as 'Small States' and 12 of those are here in CARICOM. We feel we have a unique understanding of the vulnerabilities of Small States - be they social, economic, environmental or even political. I'm very proud that CARICOM states within the Commonwealth can extend their reach and magnify their voice through membership of this 53-nation family."