The Second High Level Forum on Korea-Caribbean Partnership has facilitated the developing of closer cooperation in various areas ranging from e-Government to marine environment management to new and renewable Energy, according to a press release from the CARICOM Secretariat.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque in remarks at the forum on Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea, said that already there has been substantial assistance rendered by the Republic of Korea to the Community in the field of e-Government, and under the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD) progress has been made in this area.
However, Ambassador LaRocque continued, there is still much work to be done as CARICOM member states are paying greater attention to adopting e-Government systems in their governance to enhance the delivery of government information and services to their people.
“It is our hope therefore for continued cooperation in this area which would allow for our e-government initiatives to be aided by the Republic of Korea’s technology and experience accumulated in the sector.”
The CARICOM Secretary-General also pointed out that these e-Government initiatives “are an important part of the CARICOM Regional Digital Development Strategy which seeks to ensure that our Community is fully prepared to be a part of the global knowledge society.”
Meanwhile, he noted that a key player in co-ordinating these efforts is the CARICOM Secretariat which must be adequately equipped to perform the role expected of it in the roll-out of the strategy.
Upgrading ICT
systems
In that regard, LaRocque highlighted, “an upgrading of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems at the Secretariat is an urgent requirement if expectations are to be met.”
LaRocque also drew attention to the fact that like the Caribbean Community, South Korea is also surrounded by the seas and no doubt shares the same “interests in striking a harmonized balance between exploiting marine resources for national development and maintaining surrounding seas and the ocean clean and safe.”
“The Republic of Korea’s interest in resolving this dilemma is clearly evident in the choice of the theme of World Expo 2012 in Yeosu, `the Living Ocean and Coast’”, he observed.
LaRocque also underscored that the Caribbean is more dependent upon tourism than any other part of the world, relative to its size, and a key factor in its tourism product is the pristine seas and beautiful beaches.
“The maintenance of the marine environment is therefore of paramount importance and we look forward to the exchange of ideas and exposure to new technologies which would enhance our ability to preserve our seas and our beaches.”
However, LaRocque noted that tourism is not the only sector in the marine area which requires the region’s attention as fishing is also a significant source of both income and subsistence for much of the population.
Acknowledging the importance of the fisheries sector to South Korea also, and that country’s expertise, LaRocque said CARICOM would welcome the opportunity for co-operation and collaboration in this area.
“Both of these sectors are, however, directly threatened by environmental deterioration. With the impact of global climate change continuing, the agenda of marine environment conservation and management at the national and international levels, is a priority for our island states and low-lying coastal countries,” the CARICOM Secretary-General said.
Renewable energy
He also focused on the area of new and renewable energy which is of growing importance across the globe. “Countries, including in the Caribbean Community, and the Republic of Korea have been actively seeking ways to increase their usage of renewable energy and ease their dependency on fossil fuels.”
And in CARICOM, he added, the member states are exploring, to various degrees, the use of solar, wind and geo-thermal sources of energy to exploit climate and geographical advantages.
In light of South Korea’s keen interest in developing this area and its involvement in a variety of international cooperation activities in the field, LaRocque asserted that “there are clearly opportunities for both sides with respect to investment and knowledge sharing to our mutual benefit.”
While cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the member states of CARICOM have been on-going for many years, technical cooperation at the regional level began in 2002 and was formalised with the signing of the Agreement for the Establishment of a Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism between the Caribbean Community and the Republic of Korea Cooperation in 2006, LaRocque noted.
Against that background, the Second High-Level Forum was convened with a view to seeking practical and productive ways for increasing cooperation, LaRocque said.
Noteworthy, he added, is the fact that the Forum was taking place less than one year after the first which was held last October, “demonstrating clearly the mutual interest in strengthening our relations.”
