A “crucial meeting” between CARICOM Heads of Government will be held in Dominica on March 11 and 12, 2010 at the Fort Young Hotel.
This meeting will address several issues affecting the Caribbean community, including the current drought in the Caribbean.
This is according to the Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit, who addressed a press conference this morning at the Financial Center.
“We believe that it is important that while the rest of the world is speaking about water that we need to as a community place water on the agenda,” he said.
Skerrit stated that other matters to be discussed between these heads of government are the Haiti post-earthquake situation, and issues involving the Caribbean region and the World Bank.
The CARICOM chairman also mentioned other important matters to be discussed at the gathering.
“Of course the other issues with crime and security and where we are with regards to the single market economy and the progress we’ve made thus far. What is the present challenges and of course how can we overcome those challenges, and of course the issue of the global crisis and its current impact on us and we will also be looked at,” he added.
“The issue of the environment and climate change, the reviewing and the reassessing CARICOM’s position on the matter how can we strategise towards ensuring that our voices are heard, out voices are noted , our concerns are taken into consideration,” Skerrit explained.
According to him, the meeting is going to be a very crucial and critical one for the country, in advancing our cooperation within the Caribbean community. He looks forward to fruitful discussions in Dominica.
A CARICOM special representative of Haiti, PJ Patterson are among those to be present along with the president of the World Bank at the meeting.
The PM explains that the issue of environment , and how to strategies towards ensuring that our voices are heard, our voices are noted, our concerns are taken into consideration will be looked at the CARICOM Heads meeting.
Individuals and companies in Dominica have been doing things against the environment and no one is taken to task. In discriminate mining, dredging of sand in the Layou River without Planning permission, dumping of tons of soil into the sea destroying the marine life
Dominican voices were prevented from being heard at the Nation station DBS in December. Artists songs are banned. Gordon Henderson and Exile one, Ophelia and calypsonians were banned. There is no freedom of information law in Dominica. It is extremely difficult to seek and receive information relevant to national development that affects us. Many who dare talk on environment issues are demonised.
Begin addressing concerns from ordinary citizens re. integrity and accountability and obeying the laws of the land.
My people, Figure out the real cost of that meeting and tell us what is it worth but the guys in jacket and tie having a good time. CSME on standstill?
Trishi, not sure how you were able to get a “peak” at the agenda, but here is my stand:
The truth of the matter is that our region HAS been facing adverse challenges for some time now. This “crucial” meeting with the members of Caricom is not going to change a single thing. Each member is not looking out for our people or our region. Politics is all about hunger and greed!
Solidarity should begin at home…
The Prime Minister should concentrate on holding meetings with his people right here on the Island. Do more with and for the people that you are surrounded by than for the people that you think has your best interest at heart. After all, the members of Caricom did not elect you Prime Minister of Caricom.
I wonder what the outcome of this meeting will be.
Let me give you a peak of the closing of the meeting: (This is what Skerrit will tell the people of Dominica at he end of March 12, 2010)
” During our two day gathering, we spoke in depth about the Nations problems and what other Caricom members can do for us. Collectively, we will work together, we will share our water and in return, we will be compensated justly. The funds for the water that we share will be allocated towards further developing the nation of Dominica. In conclusion, this meeting was crucial and we believe that a lot was achieved”
bla, bla, bla….. More nonsense!
37 years and CARICRAP is still the same and this latest unity with Latin America is a dangerous move by Chavez’s lackey. It is going to be another colonization where Latin whites will always feel superior over the descendants of African slaves. Yes, there is a lot of racism in Latin America and I personally have been a victim just because I’m darker than them.
solid as a rock. hear that ‘caricome…….carrygo”! the region is made up of the pppl….and we really don’t care wat caricom continue to table….and hence…we see the opposite taking place. Gosh……free movement for whom? and where thier is inequality…racism creeps in. plus the white of the region have never changed from the time of salvery.
crime
devide between rich and poor
banking rules…rich only-prejudice
immigration and emmigration
water
climate
development agendas
white color crimes
corruption
jobless
unprofessionalism
energy cost
food security- starvation in may/jume
Hmmm. more talks. what ever comes out of those talks but more sufferation for the people.
I will be paying close attention to this meeting.
Our region is facing adverse challenges, of which, some have been listed on the agenda. ‘Solidarity’ is foremost.