CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque says that 2014 must be marked as a milestone year for the Caribbean Community, noting that in July, Heads of Government approved the Community’s first Five-Year Strategic Plan which covers the years 2015-2019.
In a message to mark the holiday period, LaRocque said that the Plan seeks to ensure that the Community is in a position to withstand the effects of events such as the global economic and financial crises.
“Implementation of this Plan is a major step in CARICOM’s on-going Reform Process as we seek to become more efficient, accountable and above all, increase our responsiveness to the needs of the Community. You the people of the Region should therefore more readily feel the difference that integration makes in your lives.”, LaRocque said
He said that CARICOM is also placing emphasis on developing the region’s human resources, particularly of its youth by taking a thorough look at the education system.
“The exciting prospect of a single CARICOM ICT Space which would lower the cost of telephone calls and internet access will be pursued. These possibilities have only become reality through us working as one, and more can be achieved with your participation and support”, LaRocque stated.
He added that the integration movement has never been more important than at this time. “Integration is our route to achieving sustainable development and to delivering the quality of life that our people expect and deserve”, he asserted.
