CBSI paying off

The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) is already paying off, according to Ambassador Colin Granderson, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary General in Foreign and Community Relations.

He identified that the CBSI had come about as CARICOM Heads agreed that there must be a concerted effort to confront such threats while simultaneously addressing the issue of crime prevention in issues such as the threat of illicit trafficking, gang and youth violence, terrorism, and cyber security.

“CBSI-partners’ three-pronged approach, which seeks to substantially reduce illicit trafficking, advance public safety and security, and promote social justice, has made noteworthy steps on the road to improving citizen safety and security in the Region,” he reasoned.

“Through the CBSI cooperative dialogue process and partnership, the various CBSI Technical Working Groups have developed programmes and projects leading to significant progress in the areas of Maritime and Aerial Security Co-operation, Law Enforcement Capacity Building, Border/Port Security and Firearms Interdiction, Justice Sector Reform and Crime Prevention for At-risk Youth. The CBSI Joint Implementation Report, recently presented at the Fourth Meeting of the CBSI Commission held in November 2013 in Guyana, highlights the significant work undertaken, the results-based outcomes and tangible achievements to date,” Granderson continued.

He noted that the CBSI initiative and its tangible results have also garnered the attention of international development partners such as Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

Addressing the opening of the Fourth Caribbean-United States Security Co-operation Dialogue, he told those gathered that the assistance of their countries in helping to advance the implementation and mandate of the CBSI was deeply appreciated.

“While CARICOM continues to welcome this invaluable support, we also underscore the parallel need to maximise the effectiveness and sustainability of such support, not by replacing existing initiatives with these countries or diverting resources, but by avoiding the duplication of efforts and generating a more effective impact,” he said. (JMB)