Use collective strength to push SIDS priorities, CARICOM SG urges

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque is urging close collaboration between Caribbean Small Island and Low-lying Developing States (SIDS) and those in the Indian Ocean and Pacific States to achieve greater results when SIDS development priorities   come before a global forum next year  .

The Secretary-General made the point during the Opening Ceremony for a meeting of Caribbean SIDS preparing  for a mid-term review of the Samoa Pathway (SIDS Accelerated Modalities  of Action Pathway).  The Samoa Pathway which represents SIDS priorities for sustainable development and poverty eradication, was adopted at the Third International Conference of SIDS in Apia, Samoa in September 2014.  A High Level Review of the  progress made in addressing the SIDS priorities has been scheduled for September next year at UN Headquarters in New York.

Ahead of next year’s Review, preparatory meetings are being held to examine the progress made at national and regional levels. Belize is hosting the Caribbean Preparatory Meeting and Regional Partnership Dialogue from 6 – 9 August. There is a further interregional meeting to be held in Samoa in October.

Ambassador LaRocque urged participants at the Belize meeting to hone their strategy to collaborate with the other Regions so that the unified strengths of the SIDS can go forward to the 2019 High Level Meeting.

“I therefore give my assurance as Secretary-General of this Community, that I will endeavor to reach out to my counterparts in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Regions to ensure that our collective influence is used to give us the best chance of a positive response to our needs as we seek to fulfill the objectives of the Pathway and attain the SDGs,” he said.