KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is among several countries to participate in the 26th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in St. Lucia from July 3 to 6.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told journalists on Monday, June 27, at a post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston, that the Conference of Heads would consider items of critical importance to Jamaica, among them the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), governance within CARICOM, priority issues for the Caribbean at the Sixtieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly, including the question of the structuring of the United Nations, the situation in Haiti and Crime and Security.
He said the meeting, which would be chaired by Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenneth Anthony, would be preceded by a meeting between Heads of Government and regional Opposition Leaders on Saturday, July 2, a move considered necessary in maintaining on-going dialogue between Government and Opposition as the region sought to achieve integration.
Heads will also examine the current security and political situation in Haiti, which is still unstable.
With regard to Crime and Security, the Prime Minister said Heads would be called on to improve the revised architecture for the management of crime and security, as developed by the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Resource Mobilization, chaired by National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, which provides for the establishment of a Regional Security Management Framework.
The framework includes the creation of a Security Policy Advisory Committee, an Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and various sub-committees of Heads of law enforcement and security agencies.
Other items on the agenda include Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS and issues relating to Agriculture, including the implementation of the Jagdeo Initiative and developments relating to sugar.
Attention will also be directed to assessing the region’s preparedness for the hosting of World Cup Cricket 2007.
