CARICOM Welcomes Jamaica's Softening on CCJ Issue

Recent moves by Jamaica towards accepting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final appellate court, has been hailed as a welcome development and a good way to end the year by CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Edwin Carrington.

The Secretariat reviewed its accomplishments for the year with the regional media on Thursday morning (December 10), through a video conferencing session at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

STATEMENT BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE, HON. DR. KENNETH BAUGH ON THE COMMEMORATION OF CARICOM-CUBA DAY

The celebration of CARICOM-Cuba day each year on 8th December presents a fitting opportunity to reflect on the strong ties of friendship and cooperation which link the Republic of Cuba and the member states of the Caribbean Community.

CARICOM-Cuba Day coincides this year with the 37th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the first four independent countries of CARICOM, namely Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of Cuba. This bold action at the height of the Cold war when only three other countries of the Americas maintained ties with Cuba (Canada, Chile and Mexico) and when the country was suspended from the OAS by a Resolution of 1962, marked a watershed in the history of Cuba's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.

EC Grants €165 Million to Boost CARICOM Integration

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is to benefit from an injection of €165 million (Euros), or close to J$22 billion, in funding from the European Commission as part of its ongoing support for regional integration.

This was disclosed by Head of Section of the Delegation of the European Commission (EC) to Jamaica, Helen Jenkinson, who told JIS News that the principal objective of the EC initiative is to support trade and other areas of the integration movement.

Caribbean Wellness Day Will Help to Reduce Chronic Diseases - CARICOM Consultant

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Consultant on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Alafia Samuels, has expressed the hope that the concept of Caribbean Wellness Day will stimulate increased physical activity and exercise among individuals, thereby contributing to reducing the factors causing chronic diseases.

Caribbean Wellness Day, which is celebrated on the second Saturday in September, evolved out of the Declaration of Port-of-Spain, agreed on by CARICOM Heads of Government during a meeting in Trinidad in 2007. The Declaration outlines the framework guiding a broad scale united effort by member countries to combat the spread of chronic non communicable diseases.

CARICOM Concerned About Proposed Changes to PetroCaribe Agreement

CARICOM countries, including Jamaica, which feel endangered by proposed changes to the PetroCaribe agreement, are to approach exporter Venezuela for a compromise soon.

This was indicated by Guyana's President, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, when he addressed a special press briefing at Jamaica House, Monday (August 3). The briefing followed a meeting of the Special Prime Ministerial Task Force set up by CARICOM to craft appropriate strategies in response to the global economic crisis and its impact on the region.

Jagdeo Says Region Needs Support to Avoid Financial Catastrophe

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will need the support of International Financial Institutions (IFIs), as it seeks relief for debt-burdened member states, in the face of the global financial crisis.

President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, told journalists at Jamaica House on Monday (August 3), that there is a clear need for urgent financing for many CARICOM states to avoid a catastrophic situation.

Future of Caricom States Will Always be Challenged by Our Small Size...Says PM Golding

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding says the future of Caricom states remains, and will always be challenged by our small size.

"In this chess game of international politics and diplomacy, we can no longer play the geo-political advantage. The world has changed. That is no longer a card that is of any value. It is primarily economics and politics that now define international relations," he said.

Caricom Makes Recommendations on Region's Banana Industry

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding told this morning's session of the 30th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom that the European Commission (EC) has presented a revised schedule for the reduction of tariffs on bananas from the non-African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries.

Mr. Golding was making his report as chair of the Prime Ministerial sub-committee on external negotiations.

PM Golding Concerned with Impact of Global Crisis on CCJ Trust Fund

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has expressed Jamaica's concern with reports presented at this morning's session of the 30th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom in Georgetown, Guyana, on the negative impact of the global crisis on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Trust Fund.

Jamaica contributes up to 23 percent of the cost of the CCJ, making it a major contributor to the fund. The fund was established to enable the expenditures of the Court to be financed by income from the Fund. In this way, the expenditures of the Court, including the remuneration of the Judges, is not dependent on the disposition of governments.

Put Your Efforts Towards the Caricom Family - PM Golding

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding again insisted that although leaders have expressed a general frustration and impatience with Caricom, it was a family worth fighting for. He was speaking with journalists covering the 30th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom in Georgetown, Guyana today, July 3.

Repeating his pledge he said, "I am very committed to the process, but we have to ensure that there is a measurable distance between our declaration of that commitment and the assertion of the political will that must support that."

Interesting Discussions at Caricom Says PM Golding

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding told journalists today (July 3) that "interesting ideas have been discussed" at an informal caucus of Caribbean heads about the role of Caricom in governance; and he hoped that a way forward would emerge.

"I am hoping a platform would be built, upon which we would finally address this enormous difficulty of governance. I hope that it will gain traction because it makes sense to me," said Mr. Golding, who is attending the 30th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, currently underway in Georgetown, Guyana.

PM Golding Chairs CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee Meeting Ahead of CARICOM Conference

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding today chaired the Caricom Prime Ministerial sub-committee on external negotiations which received recommendations on a number of trade issues affecting the region.

The meeting, which was held a day ahead of the official opening of the 30th Caricom summit in Georgetown Guyana, allowed heads to discuss preparations for the commencement of Caricom-Canada negotiations for a trade and development agreement, developments for banana exports and the implementation of the Cariforum-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

CARICOM Group Seeks to Protect Traditional Knowledge

A CARICOM working group on traditional knowledge (TK), traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) and genetic resources is currently on a fact-finding mission in Jamaica.

The group is made up of representatives from the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) and several of their counterparts from across the region.

CARICOM at Risk...PM Golding

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding has cautioned that the existence of Caricom, the only organisation dedicated to the economic interests of Caribbean countries, was at risk.

"There are a number of things that are happening now that are destabilising and threatening the existence of Caricom. The political integration that is being pursued by Trinidad and a number of countries in the Eastern Caribbean, may very well be commendable, but I believe that it is at the detriment to the deepening and strengthening of Caricom."

COHSOD Conference Highly Successful - Spencer

The 18th Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which ended yesterday (June 4) in Montego Bay, St. James is being deemed a success by Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer.

"We have just ended two days of bruising interventions and the result is a highly successful meeting in terms of effective interactions between the health and education sectors," Minister Spencer stated at a press briefing held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Spa, which was the conference's venue.

Health Minister Calls for More Investments in Health and Education

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has called on Governments in the region to invest more in health and education, to give the countries a sustainable, strategic advantage in an increasingly dynamic and competitive global marketplace.

"We must begin to view health as a resource of fundamental strategic importance to the survival of the region. When placed within the context of a fundamental right, it becomes incumbent upon Governments to remove the impediments to accessing health care," Mr. Spencer said.

Academic Says Education and Health Key to Overcoming Economic Challenges

Senior Research Fellow/Health Economist at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, Roger McLean, has said that health and education are key sectors in responding to the current economic crisis, as well as the challenges of globalisation.

"These are the only sectors that are capable of enhancement and deepening of the human capital base," Mr. McLean told the 18th Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) of Ministers on Health and Education, at the Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, on Wednesday (June 3).

Jamaica to Host CARICOM COHSOD and ECOSOC Meetings: Health and Education, Priorities

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers of Health and Education will be involved in two meetings in Montego Bay, Jamaica next week.

First they will convene the Eighteenth Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) and then will meet with their Latin American counterparts in preparation for a meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Defend Caribbean People - PM Golding Tells CARICOM

Caricom Foreign Ministers gathered in Kingston for the 12th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), were charged by Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding to protect the region's people by approaching international trade issues in unity and with determination.

At the opening ceremony in Kingston on Friday (May 8), the Prime Minister said he had observed a leaning towards protectionism by strong countries; and he advised, "We are challenged to do everything possible to ensure that the leaders of the major countries of this world, in seeking to fix their problems, do not make our problems any worse than they are." He was referring to a marginalisation of offshore banking.

CARICOM Foreign Ministers Hail COFCOR Meeting in Kingston

Despite a heavy schedule, the 12th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), which ended at the Hilton Kingston Hotel today(May 9), has been hailed by CARICOM Foreign affairs Ministers as highly successful.

Chairman of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, told journalists at a post-conference news briefing today (May 9), that the agenda was loaded with many "very interesting, very important items", and they were all dealt with.

Dr. Baugh Takes Charge of CARICOM'S Council for Foreign and Community Relations(COFCOR)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that a main focus of his term as chairman of CARICOM's Council for Foreign and Community Relations(COFCOR),will be the relationship between the region and North America.

"It's very important for us to strengthen our ties with these big countries, these big economies, especially Canada with whom we are going to start negotiations with in terms of developing a trade and development Agreement," Dr. Baugh said.

Dr. Baugh Calls for Coordinated Regional Approach to Challenges

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that CARICOM must develop a coordinated approach, and strengthen its existing policies, in tackling the myriad of challenges currently facing the region.

Dr. Baugh was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 12th Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, on Friday (May 8).

Jamaica Hosts CARICOM's Foreign and Community Relations Meeting

Jamaica will be hosting the 12th Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on Friday and Saturday (8th to 9th May, 2009) at the Jamaica Hilton Hotel. Jamaica takes over the chair from Antigua and Barbuda.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, who will preside at the meeting, underscored its importance: "This is an extremely important and timely meeting. We are expecting productive deliberations especially at this period of pressing challenges for our region, heightened by the global economic recession."

PM Says Jamaica Will Assist CARICOM to Streamline Financial Regulatory Systems

Jamaica is to play a major role in CARICOM's efforts to streamline regulatory mechanisms for regional financial institutions, following the collapse of the Colonial Life Insurance Company(CLICO) in several Caribbean countries.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said Monday night, that Jamaica will be assisting CARICOM in establishing a College of Regulators, which will involve financial regulators from all Caribbean countries, to streamline and synchronize the regulatory systems for financial institutions within the region.

PM Golding Says CARICOM to Pursue Economic Concerns with G-20 and UN

CARICOM's concerns regarding the effects of the current global economic crisis on the region are to be conveyed to G-20 Leaders, prior to their summit in London next month, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, confirmed last night.

Mr. Golding was speaking to JIS News after his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport, from a 5-day trip abroad, which included attending the 20th Inter- Sessional Meeting of CARICOM's Heads of Government in Belize, Thursday-Friday, and a visit to Orlando where he met with Jamaicans in Florida, and the Tavistock Group which is investing some US$2 billion in the Harmony Cove Resort in Trelawny.

PM Golding to Lead Discussions on Global Crisis at CARICOM Meeting in Belize

Prime Minister Bruce Golding will leave the island on Wednesday ( March 11) to attend the 20th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government, set for March 12-13 in Belize City, Belize.

High on the agenda for discussions by the Caricom Heads will be the impact of the global economic crisis on the region.