Arthur
CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) Heads of Government are expected to discuss a host of regional matters, including the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) and the upsurge in criminal activity across the region, during their 26th regular meeting in St. Lucia this week.
The conference of CARICOM Heads of Government kicks off today, and is scheduled to end on Wednesday.
Strong focus is to be placed on the shaping of a new globally-competitive economic path for the regional integration movement.
Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, who has responsibility for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), is slated to update his colleague Heads of Government on the status of the implementation of the CSM.
UPSURGE IN CRIME
In looking at the upsurge in criminal activity across the region, the CARICOM Heads are also hoping to shape a new framework for crime and security.
A report from the recently convened Special Meeting of Regional Ministers responsible for Crime and Security and Law Enforcement, in Trinidad and Tobago, will be put to the conference for review.
The Heads are also expected to craft a regional response to the European Union (EU)'s sugar reform proposal and its potential negative effects on sugar producers from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States.
President of Guyana, Bharret Jagdeo, is to lead discussions on the region's agricultural transformation programme, which is earmarked to bring about economic diversification in the region's hard-hit agriculture industry.
Meanwhile, as CARICOM seeks to promote health as a critical component of economic development in the region, issues related to creating a healthy region are to be put to the Heads of Government.
The conference is expected to deliberate on the recommendations of a report prepared by CARICOM health ministers, which highlights the prevalence of obesity, HIV/AIDS and violence and injury across the region.
HAITI
At the St. Lucia meeting, Heads of Government are also to be updated on the current situation in Haiti, exchange views with several agencies, and discuss the region's approach to upcoming meetings.
Among those meetings are the Association of Caribbean States Summit, in late July; the Summit of the Group of Eight (G8); and the CARICOM-Cuba Summit which is billed for December 2005.
