Global institutions need to be reformed, says Jamaican PM

There is an urgent need for a comprehensive analysis of the way global institutions operate, the Jamaican Prime Minister has said.

Bruce Golding underlined his support for the reform of international institutions, whose frameworks were established over 50 years ago.

“It is not that these multilateral institutions have not themselves changed, but I don’t think that their core functions and the mandate that they see for themselves have sufficiently taken into account the new realities that exist,” Mr Golding told Commonwealth TV during a visit to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in Marlborough House, London, on 21 May 2008.

“The world has changed and circumstances have changed,” noted Mr Golding, adding that “we need a broader look and a more comprehensive analysis of the deficiencies [of these institutions.]”

Mini-summit will be chaired by British Prime Minister

This need for reform of these institutions will be discussed by some 12 Commonwealth Heads of Government who are being brought together by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma in London on 9 and 10 June 2008. The mini-summit will be chaired by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The meeting will focus on practical steps which Commonwealth member states can take to achieve the reform and coherence of global institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Its three-part focus will be on the international financial institutions, global environmental governance, and the United Nations system.

“I am particularly concerned that middle income countries like Jamaica, which are not classified as extremely poor, but at the same time have not yet got to the stage where they are at that point of take of to sustainable growth, are not factored into the general scheme of things,” observed Mr Golding.

“There are provisions for very poor countries and there are requirements or expectations of rich countries. Those of us in the middle tend to be marginalised in terms of the agenda,” he added.

Shared commitment

During their first meeting in London since Mr Sharma took over as Commonwealth Secretary-General, he and Mr Golding discussed their shared belief of the importance of international institutions being reformed.

“Some of today's key international institutions, established more than half a century ago, are not aligned to the way that the world has changed. Meanwhile, in areas like environmental governance there are gaps in the architecture of international organisations, which must be filled,” said Mr Sharma.

“There is a need for change, and that change must reflect the full global spectrum of interests and needs. International institutions must support an inclusive and comprehensive globalisation, which benefits the entire global community,” he added.

Global food crisis

The current global food crisis faced by the world and the impact it is having on Commonwealth countries was also discussed by Mr Sharma and Mr Golding at their meeting.

Both held the view that multilateral organisations should respond to the problem with a sense of real urgency. They noted in particular the adverse effects of the crisis on Commonwealth small states which already suffer from inherent vulnerabilities.

“Food security is perhaps the most important item on the agenda of any country anywhere in the world,” stated the Jamaican Prime Minister.

“We must recognise the impact which this is having on our people; the extent to which it is undermining them in terms of their standard of living and the extent to which it may be eroding gains that individual countries have made.”

New era of trading

With regard to the new trading negotiations, known as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) which members of CARICOM are expected to sign in July, Mr Golding admitted that “in every trading arrangement there are dangers, but there are also opportunities.”

He argued that countries will improve trading relations and increase their global competitiveness by going out and seeking these opportunities for themselves.

“This is not something we need to do for the sake of EPAs. It is something we need to do for the sake of our own future,” he claimed.

“If we are to take our place in the world and if we are to provide for our people with a standard of living that they deserve then there is a great deal of work we have to do.”

CHOGM 2009 – honour for Caribbean

Mr Golding then looked ahead to next year and pledged Jamaica’s support to Trinidad and Tobago as it prepares for the next biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 2009.

“It is not so much an honour for Trinidad and Tobago as it is an honour for the entire CARICOM region and we are proud to share the honour with Trinidad,” he said.

Mr Golding also used his visit to the Secretariat’s headquarters to praise the Commonwealth as a unique association.

He explained that the Commonwealth is “an association that has been held together over many years not by a treaty or charter. It is held together by a common commitment to a set of principles that we all hold dear and are determined to preserve and protect.”

“We come together not because we have to but because we want to and feel we can make a difference.”

Note to Editors and Media Advisory

A press conference is scheduled to be held at the end of the meeting on 10 June at around 14:30hrs. Journalists wishing to cover this meeting and press conference, please send the attached media accreditation form together with 2 passport-size photos (in .jpg format, and a supporting letter from your editor) to Julius Mucunguzi, Communications Officer at email: j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int and cc: c.price@commonwealth.int. The deadline for accreditation is 30 May 2008.

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• Country Profile: Jamaica