Small States, Bold Choices

As the incoming chairman of the 40th Caribbean Community Heads of Government Conference, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet delivered the final contribution for the conference’s opening ceremony on July 3, 2019. He started off by welcoming, on behalf of Saint Lucia, all CARICOM heads of state, representatives, United Nations General Secretary António Guterres and Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway.

Part of our fortieth independence anniversary theme, “All In”, was resonated throughout the prime minister’s speech as he encouraged CARICOM member states that they don’t always have to agree but “that which binds us has always been stronger than what sometimes separate us”.

He said that as mostly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), CARICOM has already made some bold choices regarding challenges facing the Windrush generation, climate change concerns and fiscal sovereignty and tax. Concerning the last, Chatanet insisted that it’s not too late for CARICOM to take a united stance and, “as a region we should rebel against the use of a blacklist that permanently damages our reputations”.

After congratulating St Vincent and Grenadines on being elected to a temporary seat on the UN Security Council, Chastanet asked the rest of CARICOM to support this small nation in pursuing a successful and effective tenure.

Moving onto climate change, the prime minister cautioned the region to continuously prepare for the ongoing hurricane season, notwithstanding the difficulties of securing international funding to build resilience. The prime minister alluded to green house gas emissions from large, developed countries, who do not compensate when damage is done, as a “cause for our current plight”. He said, “We also need a new governance structure that will allow us to draw down on the funds more quickly. We can’t take five years to implement these resilience projects.”

The Caribbean Single Market and Economy was high on the agenda at this week’s conference and Chastanet expressed his reliance on Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados to reinvigorate the work towards CSME. A long-time foreign ally for many CARICOM states, Venezuela was also scheduled for discussion. The prime minister made sure to note that the region recognizes only a peaceful solution made by Venezuela without military intervention.

Still, in states which are affected by the Venezuelan crisis and others which are not, crime remains alarming. Chastnaet was pleased to remind CARICOM members that the body’s Ministerial Council for National Security and Law Enforcement agreed to take stricter measures and meet more frequently to help alleviate this.

The prime minister continued with uplifting and warning remarks about more regional integration and greater reform within the organisation, “History has shown that when we join hands, we only get stronger.” He reminded leaders that the Caribbean has stood out in sports, music, academics and currency, urging them to consider, “Can we say we are satisfied with our current status? Do we believe that all our citizens or even the majority are satisfied?”

Ending with an appropriately Saint Lucian conclusion, Chastanet chimed, “This meeting is coinciding with our Carnival season and our famous Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party and, despite the weight and importance of these meetings, I also hope many of you will take time to enjoy the world-renowned hospitality of Saint Lucia. As one of only two countries in the world named after a female, please take time to let her inspire you.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the dedicated team from the CARICOM Secretariat, our Department of External Affairs, all the government departments and our volunteers who have worked very hard to ensure this week is a success.”