PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad“The Fifth Summit of the Americas has to change the relationship between our countries and the countries of the Hemisphere”. That’s the view of CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington, who paid an official visit to the National Secretariat in Port of Spain where he held talks with National Coordinator Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodriguez and other officials of the Secretariat.
Mr. Carrington said he was encouraged by the agenda outlined for the Summit as well as the arrangements being put in place for a successful event.
Ambassador Rodriguez described as “most extensive” the consultation process that went into the development of the concept paper and the Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain. He added that the “Fifth Summit should reflect a CARICOM spirit” and noted that the first stage of negotiation on the Draft Declaration began in the region.
The National Coordinator will be in Washington this week for the second round of negotiations for 2009 with the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG).
The SIRG is the political and negotiating body responsible for follow-up on Summit mandates, coordinating the Summit of the Americas agenda and preparing for future Summits.
During this stage of negotiations, the Group will focus on the last three paragraphs of the document, which deal with Strengthening Public Security; Strengthening Democratic Governance; and Strengthening the Summit of the Americas, Follow-up and Implementation Effectiveness.
The SIRG is also expected to continue its deliberations on several outstanding issues regarding the pillars of Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability.
Meanwhile, Mr. Carrington was briefed on the logistics, protocol, and security arrangements for the Summit. He stated that he felt a sense of pride that the Summit was taking place in our region and commended the Ambassador and his team for a “very comprehensive programme with various dimensions”.
Secretary General Carrington also noted that there is an excitement building in the region as we move closer to the Summit and he offered his assistance to the National Secretariat.
Ambassador Rodriguez added that the Fifth Summit is not a talk shop and is “based on dialogue which paves the way for the future”. He said the voice of the region must be heard on issues affecting the world like the international financial crisis.
