GREATER GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Heads of Government of the 14 independent Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States will be among other leaders of the Hemisphere who will participate in the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
The Summit from April 17-19 2009 is being held under the theme ‘Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability’.
The Summit of the Americas brings together 34 Hemispheric Heads of State and Government to exchange ideas and opinions on the main political, economic, social and security challenges facing the Hemisphere and to develop strategies and solutions to collectively address these challenges. Already, a 97-paragraph draft Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain has been negotiated for adoption by the Heads of State and Government of the 34 member states.
Hon. Patrick Manning
The Hon. Patrick Manning, host Prime Minster, and the Hon Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize and current Chairman of CARICOM – one of the sub-regional groupings of the Hemisphere – will address the opening ceremony of on Friday 17 April at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, one of the two official venues for the Summit. The other is the Diplomatic Centre.
His Excellency Rene Preval, President of the Republic of Haiti, will make remarks on Human Prosperity on 18 April during the Summit’s first plenary session. The Hon Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada will speak on Environmental Sustainability during a working lunch on 18 April, while Dr. The Hon Ralph Gonsalves will address the third Plenary Session on Democratic Governance, Public Security and Summit Follow up on the same day.
The Summit is being held for the first time in a CARICOM Member State. His Excellency Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of CARICOM said that the Summit was opportune if for no other reason, in light of the need for urgent and comprehensive responses to the current global economic crisis.
“Our governments must work diligently together to ensure that the economic crisis is resolved as quickly as possible to bring immediate relief to those who are suffering from the negative impact from the crisis and to make the future more secure for everyone. The people of the Americas need to know that their elected leaders are taking steps, in the immediate, short and long term, to address their needs,” the Secretary-General said.
Dr Carrington commented further that the Summit should also serve to enhance and strengthen CARICOM relations with the rest of the hemisphere. In addition, he observed that the Summit would give participating countries an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with the United States. “In fact, the Fifth Summit will provide a unique opportunity for countries of the Hemisphere and the United States to redefine their relationships. With all the challenges facing the Hemisphere and indeed the world today, it is vital that the United States be fully engaged with all countries in the Americas including Cuba. This Summit, in Trinidad and Tobago, can further that process.”
The Community will be actively involved in the three pre-summit engagements – a Private Sector Forum on 15-16 April, under the theme `Promoting Private Sector-led Prosperity in the Emerging Decade: The Quest for Competitiveness Revisited; a Civil Society Forum under the theme ‘Social Innovation and Implementation: Citizens in Motion’ on 14-16 April; and a Youth Forum of the Americas 15-16 April. The Youth Forum will be focussed on reviewing the opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation across various sectors, and particular attention will be placed on technology and new sources of energy.
CARICOM leaders will also engage in a number of bi-lateral meetings with other Heads of State and Government and leading political representatives.
