Simpson Miller encourages joint CARICOM position on Small Island issues

ST JOHNS, Antigua and Barbua – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has encouraged fellow heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to make the region’s voice heard in relation to issues facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), climate change and the Post 2015 Development Agenda.

Simpson Miller said that the regional grouping must send a clear and unified message on these issues considering the commonality among the three processes, noting that CARICOM needs to ensure that the opportunity provided by the confluence of these processes is seized in a timely manner.

The Prime Minister was speaking during the businesses session of the 35th Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort in Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday (July 2).

She recommended that CARICOM issues a clear statement articulating the priorities of the region to inform member countries’ participation in the three processes and endorsed the call by other member states that the CARICOM community speak with one voice to the international community and development partners to ensure that the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda fully reflect the priorities of SIDS.

The Jamaican Prime Minister commended the work of the Regional Task Force looking at these matters and signalled that Jamaica stands ready to provide any technical support as the region pushed for the advancement of issues of interest to SIDS on the global agenda.

CARICOM member states are now preparing for discussions on the sustainability and unique vulnerabilities of SIDS at the Third International Meeting on SIDS to be held in Samoa, September 1-4 this year.