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CARICOM African Leaders Identify Areas of Co-Operation at Historic First Summit

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CARICOM, September 13, 2021 – Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Africa have committed to strengthen collaboration and unity and to foster increased trade, investment and people-to-people engagement between the two regions.

The commitment was given during the historic First CARICOM-Africa Summit hosted by Kenya and held virtually on 7 September 2021.  His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya, Chair of the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) presided over the Summit which was attended by Heads of State and Government as well as Heads of Regional Integration Secretariats and Institutions of CARICOM and Africa.

Speakers at the Summit noted its historic nature and that African and Caribbean cultural and political ties run deep based on a shared history, culture, as well as a sense of a common identity.  They cited common historical experiences which inspired the Pan-African Movement championed by the Africans and the diaspora and which established the foundations of a rich and vibrant African-Caribbean relationship. The Leaders expressed the view that they were obligated to build on that vision. It was also noted that this First Summit was being held during the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent.

Key areas of possible co-operation and collaboration were identified by both parties. In his statement during the opening session, Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM proposed that September 7th be celebrated as “Africa-CARICOM Day” with a Summit held annually on that date. He also proposed the creation of a Forum of African and Caribbean Territories and States (FACTS), the codifying of a Founding Charter and a Memorandum of Operation of the Forum, a multi-lateral air services agreement, and an investment protection and a double taxation agreement between African and CARICOM states.

President Kenyatta, in his statement at the Opening cited the blue economy, climate change, health and Covid-19, debt sustainability and technology as areas on which the Regions could work together.

In the discussions, the Leaders stressed the importance of exploiting the Blue Economy to boost growth and development. They also committed to foster increased trade and investment through specific agreements and the enhancement of transportation links between the two regions. This could include the removal of the requirement for visas by nationals of CARICOM and African nations.

The Leaders indicated support for the establishment of a CARICOM/Africa public-private partnership dedicated to mobilizing resources and deploying them in critical cutting-edge projects including renewable energy, the creative industries and digital technology. They called for the establishment of a joint CARICOM/AU electronic mass media platform or mechanism to facilitate the flow of news, information and artistic programming between CARICOM and Africa. On the institutional front, they proposed the establishment of an African-Caribbean Forum and the drafting of an Africa-Caribbean Charter and memorandum of understanding to underpin the relationship.

The Heads of State and Government expressed concern about the mutation and spread of the Covid-19 Virus and its effects on the health of the people as well as on the health infrastructure. In that regard, they called for increased access to vaccines and for the building of manufacturing capacity to produce vaccines in Africa and CARICOM enabled by a waiver of intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines. The contribution of the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) in making vaccines available to CARICOM was lauded.

The existential threat posed by climate change was acknowledged and there was agreement on the need for the global community to act towards curtailing greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. They supported a joint approach to the negotiations at COP26 to be held in the United Kingdom in November.

There was strong support for multilateralism and the strengthening and reform of multilateral institutions to become more inclusive to reflect the post-colonial world. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. While welcoming the Debt Service Suspension Initiative, they emphasised the need for debt relief.

They also called for an end to the illegal and unjust economic embargo against Cuba and to the sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The Heads of State and Government agreed to participate fully in the High Level meeting of the UN General Assembly later this month to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism, and to jointly use that event to advance the claim for reparations within the processes of the United Nations.

The Summit ended with a mandate for the institutionalisation of co-operation between the CARICOM Secretariat and the African Union Commission.

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Bahamas News

RBDF Operation Strengthens Maritime Security Amidst Regional Turmoil

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Defence Headquarters, 17 MAR. ’24: A joint operation between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) led to the apprehension of 50 Haitian migrants approximately 5 nautical miles west of Bell Island on Saturday, March 16th.

The operation was initiated following the initial sighting of a sailing vessel, believed to be of Haitian origin, 8 miles southwest of Staniel Cay in the Exumas. RBDF swiftly deployed air and surface assets stationed at Matthew Town Inagua, supported by Police officials in Staniel Cay who verified the sighting. The migrants were intercepted by RBDF personnel stationed at the Land and Sea Park, Wardrick Wells Exuma, and subsequently handed over to the safe boat crew. They are currently under apprehension pending further investigation, with the imminent arrival of HMBS Rolly Gray.

In response to the ongoing instability in Haiti, Commodore Raymond King has announced the implementation of a strategic blockade in the southern Bahamas. This initiative includes the deployment of six surface vessels, one aircraft, and 120 highly skilled RBDF personnel. Patrol operations will be concentrated in critical areas such as the northern coast of Haiti, the Old Bahama Channel, and the Windward Passage, with the aim of deterring unauthorized entry attempts and preserving maritime security in the region.

The effectiveness of these decisive measures is evident, with recent apprehensions totaling 247 individuals by the RBDF. Commodore Raymond E. King emphasizes the commitment to bolstering maritime security through collaborative efforts with regional partners and local law enforcement agencies.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders and territorial integrity, working collaboratively with regional partners.

(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)

-rbdf-

#GuardOurHeritage

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Caribbean News

Wildfire Guyana, STAY ALERT

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

A wildfire in Guyana claimed the life of a 93 year old man on Tuesday March 12th and Guyanese people are now being urged to take precautions against these unpredictable phenomena.

The Guyana Fire Service reported that the fire seemingly started on an open farmland near the Parakies Village Community (the main road) located in the North West District, where the victim, Alexander Josephine, resided. 

Josephine was caught in the fire while working on his farm. Reports say he left home early at around 9 am to tend to his farm and later at about 1 pm, his family unfortunately received news he was injured during the fire and sadly died from his injuries.

Emergency officials arrived at the scene to find him lifeless and covered in burns. He was pronounced deceased after being transported to the Kumaka District Hospital.

A post-mortem examination will be performed on the deceased and an investigation into the causes of the fire is being conducted. 

The fire service, in providing tips to Guyanese on how to defend against forest fires, advised that they dig trenches around their homes to direct the fires elsewhere, specifically chosen areas where it can be burned out. And, people are told to not burn garbage or grass outdoors as this is a recipe for wildfires. 

They also recommend that people stay alert and  have evacuation plans in place in case they fall victim to these fires at home.

Additionally, the fire service informs that wildfires are common during the dry season and that they have been fighting wildfires and large grass fires over the past two months.

Wildfires have become a major issue globally.last year, 2023, Maui Hawaii suffered what was dubbed, one of the worst wildfires in the US since 1871. Many people lost their lives; loved ones, family and friends, and many were displaced as their homes were destroyed. 

The World Resources Institute in an August 2023 article says recent data reveals that wildfires are becoming more widespread, worsened by climate change, “burning nearly twice as much tree cover today as they did 20 years ago.”

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Caribbean News

GOV’T LOOKING TO EXPAND JAMAICAEYE

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KINGSTON, March 7 (JIS):

The National Security Ministry is looking to expand the national closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance programme ‘JamaicaEye’.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, made the disclosure at the Standing Finance Committee meeting at Gordon House on Thursday (March 7).

JamaicaEye falls under Plan Secure Jamaica, which is geared towards creating a safe, secure, cohesive and just society, thereby providing an environment for increased and sustained growth and prosperity.

“JamaicaEye… we are expanding, but it has some challenges with the private sector. The security issue is that most of our connection, especially in the residential areas, are what we call the variable internet protocol (IP), and it is difficult to connect variable IP to the central system,” he pointed out.

Dr. Chang said that while it a cheaper system to use “and companies have used that in all the residential communities, it is posing as a challenge”.

“We are having discussion to see how we can overcome that, and the technical teams involved are looking at how we can… get that part of the programme going. In the meantime, we are expanding across the country, and we also ensure that the legal side of it is clear to the residents,” he indicated.

Jamaicans interested in connecting to JamaicaEye can register online at https://jamaicaeye.gov.jm/.

To participate, persons should have camera systems that are outside the home or business and face a public space; that can be connected to the Internet; have an IP-based system, preferably, although persons with older cameras will not be excluded; and have a resolution of two megapixels or higher.

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