(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) A burgeoning relationship between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Republic of Singapore was taken to new heights Wednesday, with the accreditation of the first Plenipotentiary Representative of the Southeast Asian country to CARICOM.

Described as an “historic occasion” by the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, the accreditation formalises diplomatic relations between CARICOM and Singapore that had been characterised by cooperation and collaboration in international organisations such as the Commonwealth and the Alliance of Small Island States (OASIS).

Ambassador LaRocque in his remarks noted that even though the two parties could boast neither of long historical ties, nor geographic proximity, the mutual benefits that could be derived from formalising the cooperation justified the “importance step” in the bond of friendship.

Pointing to Singapore’s involvement in the recently formed Global Governance Group (3G) within the United Nations’ (UN) framework - established to explore ways in which the concerns of non-G20 members can be advanced in that process - Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that engagements among Small States rested well with CARICOM, as these countries by their very nature shared specific concerns and common interests. Climate change and Small States’ influence in the development of global and financial polices arena were among the issues that they continued to champion, he noted.

The Secretary-General said that CARICOM Member States were strong in their position that the Region’s contribution to the effects of Climate change was “utterly miniscule and immeasurable”, yet; it was made to bear a “disproportionate financial burden for mitigation and adaptation measures.”

Regarding the influence of Small States’ voices in international economic fora, he said that access to the meetings of the G20, or at least the representation of Small States’ concerns during its deliberations has been suggested in discussions within the Region - a position that was in congruence with the Global Governance Group’s position for strengthening the framework for G20 engagement of non-members, as outlined in the document submitted by the 3G to the UN Secretary General in 2010.

Within this context, Ambassador LaRocque said, “We applaud Singapore’s support of such platforms that allow Small States to discuss and foster common positions on issues of mutual concern, thereby giving these countries a bigger voice in the UN and other international fora.”

He stated that the Community had taken note of Singapore’s development and the advancements which had made it a success story among Small States.

“The idea that a small-island city state of five million people could survive and prosper in today’s world might have seemed improbable. While the odds might have been against Singapore’s success, it is now a globalized economic powerhouse with ample financial resources; a pool of talented and skillful workers and a cohesive society. Singapore's success story is an example of what can be achieved by Small States,” Ambassador LaRocque stated. As the budding relationship between CARICOM and Singapore assumed greater significance, the Secretary-General stated that the Community looked forward to strengthening economic and technical co-operation ties, similar to those the Southeast Asian nation had been pursuing with Latin America.