It is with mixed feelings that I take my place this morning as the Chairman of the Twenty-Fifth Meeting of the Community Council. Mixed feelings since it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this the Meeting of the Community Council; while simultaneously remembering the grim realities which our fellow CARICOM nationals – women, men and children – in Haiti have experienced, are experiencing and are expected to experience over the coming years. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Government and people of Haiti.
The Community Council, the second highest Organ of the Caribbean Community, has primary responsibility for the strategic planning and the coordination of Community initiatives in the areas of economic integration, functional cooperation and external relations. These functions are, as always, carried out in accordance with the policy directions of The Conference. Within the context of this broad remit, we are specifically required to consider proposals from the various Councils, the Secretariat and other Regional Institutions with the objective of approving and/or revising such proposals as deemed necessary; and to allocate resources for the implementation of the approved plans and programmes of the Community.
Our task today also includes a preliminary review of the 2010-2015 Draft Strategic Plan of the Secretariat. All of us are acutely aware of the context in which we meet today – the economies of our countries have been buffeted by the global economic and financial crisis – and our task at this time is not an easy one. But we are also ever conscious of the importance of the need to continue to deepen our integration arrangements and strengthen functional cooperation, and it is from this perspective that I am confident that it would be possible for us to find the appropriate solutions to the challenges which we face at this juncture.
An equally important task relates to the planning function assigned to the Community Council in relation to the preparatory work to be undertaken for Conferences of the Heads of Government. It is a distinct honour for the Government and people of Dominica to assume the Chairmanship for the Community at this time, and we look forward to welcoming you all to Dominica in March 2010. I hope to be able to work with you today and over the next six months in the further strengthening and deepening of our integration arrangements.
Colleague Ministers, I look forward to fruitful deliberations and constructive proposals in this the second highest organ of the Community to take our Community forward and to the next level.
Thank you.
Dominica is well represented by Dr. John Collin McIntyre, in any forum, he is a man of great character and outstanding intellect. His love for Dominica and its people is unquestionable and his dedication to our development commendable.
Good job Doc, continue to make Dominica proud!
Yes I. Mr is a serious fellow.
CARICOM is BS and they should pull the plug already. CARICOM is way behind the OECS and it reminds me of the West Indies Federation. The big states should just form their own union and leave the little ones alone because the main problem is the difference in size and population.
blessings, the futue od Doinica is safe with young people like you in government.
I liked your remarks. You are a person of high standrads. Blessings!!!!!!