Statement Issued At The Conclusion Of The The Seventeenth Meeting Of The Council For National Security And Law Enforcement (CONSLE)

  The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) concluded its Seventeenth Meeting on Monday, 21 November 2016 and resolved to advance the Region’s Security Agenda through a collective, integrated approach.

The one-day Meeting at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown was chaired by Hon. Adriel Brathwaite, QC, MP, Attorney-General and Minister of Home Affairs of Barbados, and was attended by CARICOM Ministers responsible for National Security, Commissioners of Police representing their respective Ministers, the CARICOM Secretary-General, the Executive Director of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), and the Deputy Executive Director of the Regional Security System (RSS).

The Meeting heard addresses in a brief Opening Ceremony from Vice President and Minister responsible for Public Security of Guyana, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan; CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Chairman of the CONSLE, Hon. Adriel Brathwaite.  They collectively emphasized that the Community’s work in the area of crime and security had become more urgent and endorsed the strengthening of the integrated approach both at the national and regional levels; called for implementation of legal instruments that have been developed for the Community to  provide support for crime prevention and detection at the regional level; and underscored the need to work closely with communities, to address citizens’ perception of and support  for the security and law enforcement sector.

Among the issues which engaged the attention of the Ministers were increased efficiency and effectiveness of the Regional Security Architecture; Cyber Security and Cybercrime; Agreements for Mutual Sharing of Intelligence with non-CARICOM states; the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS); and Financing for the Regional Security Agenda.

Ministers were provided with a security brief which covered the overall security landscape of the Region.  An assessment was given of certain issues that were identified and recommendations advanced to address continuing challenges.

With respect to Cyber Security and Cybercrime, Ministers were updated by IMPACS about the CARICOM Cyber Security and Cybercrime Action Plan (CCSCAP), which provides a framework for all initiatives on cyber security and cybercrime in the Region. Ministers will work to ensure the CCSCAP is finalized and implemented.

The Meeting also noted the updates with respect to arrangements for closer cooperation with non-CARICOM States in the area of Security. 

Ministers received a Report from the CARICOM Secretariat on the issue of Global Health from the recently concluded Global Health Security Agenda Workshop held in Miami from                          14 to 18 November 2016.  The Meeting recognized the implications for the Defense and Security sectors around the world, given the potential impact of health crises on citizen security, and acknowledged the unique position of the Defense Sector, with its extended presence throughout the countries.  In their area of responsibilities, these sectors working together with other partners, regionally and beyond, can contribute to global transparency of disease risk.

As regards the Chairmanship of CONSLE, The Commonwealth of Dominica will now assume the Chair for a one-year term commencing 1 January 2017.  Delegates welcomed the Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore, Minister of Justice, Immigration, and National Security of Dominica to the Chair, as they expressed appreciation and thanks to outgoing Chair, Hon. Adriel Brathwaite of Barbados, commending his work and diligence in advancing the Region’s agenda during his tenure.

Georgetown, Guyana

24 November 2016