ESSENCE, SPIRIT OF CARICOM STILL RELEVANT – AMBASSADOR CLARENCE HENRY

CARICOM was established in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, and is observing its 40th anniversary this year.

“The model may be challenged in other regions of the world, but it must be understood that regional integration requires constant tweaking,” he said, while alluding to the challenges currently facing the Region and the ever “evolving global multiplex of nations.”

Ambassador Henry made the remarks shortly after presenting his credentials to Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of CARICOM, at a ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat.

In every case, he told his audience, governments must regularly adjust and recalibrate their policy frameworks to effectively respond to the challenging circumstances. He suggested that, in the face of the current fiscal and economic downturn, that CARICOM, through its Organs, devise a Marshall-like strategic development plan to propel economic recovery.

He pledged his unwavering commitment to the fulfilment of the economic integration and development goals, which he said would be achieved with a mature and fully functioning CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

“The effort to consolidate the CSME within a broader process of strategic realignment that takes these factors into account is of great interest to me. I am therefore prepared to contribute to this process of strategic visioning and look forward to working with my colleagues in this particular endeavour,” the new envoy said.