Heads of State Conference declared open by Sir Cuthbert

Governor General of St. Kitts-Nevis, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, utilized the podium at the 9th Conference Heads of State of the Caribbean Community opening ceremony at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Auditorium on Monday, October 6th to rally the regional states into a mode of unification and to challenge them to remain competent on a fast global economic track.

Sir Cuthbert, who also assumed Chairman of Conference, stated that this year’s meeting which is held under the theme “Contending With global Challenges: An Imperative for Regional Development and Sustainability” is very appropriate and should be used as a means to identify the potential for the future.

He noted that because of advanced technology, the world has become a global village and the eyes of the world are seemingly on the Caribbean. To this effect, what affects one area affects the other.

The St. Kitts-Nevis Governor General acknowledged that regional heads are very conscious of the extreme global challenges, but countered by emphasizing that the leaders cannot allow the Caribbean to be obliterated by those challenges.

He further assured the gathering of his confidence for the economic future of the region with the old adage “behind every dark cloud is a silver lining.”

He also took the opportunity to thank the various sponsors that the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, St. Kitts-Nevis Development Bank, the Embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Social Security, TDC, ECCB and O. D. Brisbane, for making the event a possibility and wished every blessing on the conference, which runs until Friday 10th October.

Outgoing Chairman of the Heads of State, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also took the opportunity to call for regional integration. This, he stated, is a positive step towards curbing he tremendous economic strain put on the region.

Sir Ballantyne drew attention to the demise of the sugar and banana industries and the crippling effects of globalization and strongly suggested the need to address such issues as a united front.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas, delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony.

He stated that regional leaders must do all in their power so as not to fall prey to bad governance and economic instability.

“Be especially aware of the challenges of globalisation, but yet still find ways to stimulate economic growth,” the Prime Minister warned.

Another issue which he identified as having a very severe grip on the region is the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He reiterated that it is no longer confined to the health plateau, but acknowledged that there have been some severe socio-economic repercussions as a result of the virus.

The P. M. also made reference to the collapse of the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting held in Canun, Mexico, and stated that such incidents should serve to accelerate the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

He predicted that the Caribbean region faces some serious challenges ahead but balanced the trials with the assurance that through a sound education system and a collective endeavour, the region could be on the right track to ensure sustainability for the future.

Other heads of state attending the conference are Governors General, Sir Clifford Husbands of Barbados, Sir Howard Cooke of Jamaica; Mr. James Carlisle of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Colville Young of Belize, Dame Pearlette Louisy of St. Lucia, President George Richards of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Daniel Williams of Grenada, Dame Ivy Dumont of the Bahamas and His Excellency Dr. Nicholas Liverpool of the Commonwealth of Dominica (President). The outgoing President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, His Excellency Mr. Vernon Shaw, was also invited.

The line-up of dignitaries and invited guests at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor General for Nevis, His Honour Mr Eustace John and Mrs. John; the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Sam Condor and Mrs. Condor; other Government Ministers and officials of the National Assembly; former Governor of St. Kitts-Nevis, Sir Probyn Inniss and Mrs. Inniss and St. Kitts Nevis Ambassador to CARICOM, the OECS and ACS, His Excellency Dr. Simon Jones-Hendrickson who chaired the proceedings .

The Vote of Thanks was given by Mr. Oaklyn Peets, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.

While here in the Federation, the Heads of State will engage in a number of social activities to complement their hours of dialogue. The first of such activities was a banquet at the Rex Papillon Resort.

They travel to Nevis today, (Wednesday) for a Military Parade, mounted by the armed units in the Federation and to tour the sister island.