PORT OF SPAIN – Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Trinidad’s National Coordinator of the Secretariat for the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM), to be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009, has described the private sector as having a critical role to play in national development.
Addressing an Energy Luncheon of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Thursday, June 12, the Ambassador said, “The private sector must be seen (and) must see itself as an instrument of development and the main driver of competitiveness, job creation, wealth creation and prosperity.”
Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodriguez
Amb. Rodriguez said the planning process for both Summits envisaged a key role for private sector organizations.
“Your concerns, your insights and your expertise are welcome in the process of shaping the development path for the Americas and the Commonwealth of Nations,” he told the gathering of south Trinidad business leaders.
“ I assure you that we are committed to engaging in meaningful dialogue with you as we work towards the Fifth Summit and the CHOGM, 2009,” Amb. Rodriguez said.
“Progress in the Americas and across the Commonwealth necessitates quick and decisive action. It also requires that we accept our collective social responsibility for improving the quality of life of all our peoples.”
He said the global challenge was to “increase productivity and competitiveness within a framework of equity and sustainability.”
“The Summits,” the ambassador said, “must provide the platform for collective action on issues of the environment, especially as they relate to the vulnerabilities of nations of the Hemisphere and the Commonwealth.”
“We do not portend to take action in isolation from the rest of the world. Acting alone will not bring the desired results. Without global cooperation, the threats to our planet cannot be averted,” he said.
The Fifth Summit of the Americas will be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009 while the CHOGM will be in November 2009.
