CARICOM, Australia ties proving beneficial

Collaboration between Australia and CARICOM has increased the visibility of the plights being faced by small-island developing states in terms of climate change.

Making this assertion, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque further stated that the two have jointly lobbied multiple global fora for the adoption of a robust Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which would address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which he called “a threat to the very fabric of Caribbean societies”.

“In each of these undertakings, collaboration has allowed our countries’ voices to be better heard by the international community and our positions to be better understood. Indeed, today we can proudly
say that our joint efforts have contributed to a momentous achievement, the conclusion by the United Nations General Assembly, a mere two days ago, of a globally binding Arms Trade Treaty! This is also a tribute to the multilateral process that allows the global family of nations to partner in the pursuit of the safety and best interests of the global community through negotiation, compromise and democratic process,” he asserted.

At the time, LaRocque was delivering remarks at the presentation of credentials to Plenipotentiary Representative of Australia to CARICOM, Ross William Tysoe, and took the opportunity to point out his expectations that the relations between the two would deepen in the future.

“There are so many other areas in which there is scope for mutually reinforcing engagement. One such is the implementation of practicable and results-oriented solutions to address the scourge of Non-Communicable Diseases facing CARICOM countries and those of the Pacific. Still, another is the development of innovative and entrepreneurial building opportunities for youth. The potential to make a real and powerful impact in these spheres is, I believe, immense. It is grounded in the real experiences that Australia and CARICOM have shared, and is underpinned by the strong political will to work together,” he added.