(Guyana) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica is confident that the forging of “a new and dynamic level of strategic partnerships” between developing countries and small vulnerable economies could address the common challenges they faced in what he described as a “turbulent era.”

Delivering his address at the opening of the inaugural Mexico-CARICOM Summit, in Cancun, Mexico on Sunday February 21, the Chairman said that developing countries and small vulnerable economies were both “battered by a series of hard-hitting economic punches and a multitude of fast curveballs in the environmental and social arenas.”

Further, he said that the foundations of their economies had “shifted unexpectedly and swiftly, creating financial shocks and instability which have had varying degrees of impact on each and every one of us.”

Within such an environment, there was need for “innovation, creativity, and a fresh approach in strategic thinking,” the CARICOM Chairman posited. He added that the environment also demanded “renewed thrust, focus and energy in collaborative efforts to combat and minimise vulnerabilities.”

The landmark Mexico-CARICOM Summit has reinforced diplomatic ties between the Region and its Latin American partner, which have spaned 35 years. The Summit was convened to pursue key areas of cooperation including common challenges in trade and development, climate change and Haiti.

Prime Minister Skerrit noted he was pleased to see that commercial activities between CARICOM and Mexico had increased and against that backdrop, he anticipated that the Summit would explore the opportunities created by the CSME, in an effort to further boost the Region’s trading and investment links with Mexico.

“Mexico will no doubt be aware of the efforts which the Caribbean Community has been making with regard to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the flagship of our regional integration movement, which is intended to provide the springboard to facilitate CARICOM’s integration into the hemispheric and global environment through more competitive production thereby enhancing our trading relations,” he stated.

Though the Region and Mexico were at different stages of development, the Chairman stated that their co-existence in the same hemisphere, where they shared the Caribbean Sea, meant that, “our needs, interests and challenges are very similar.” In this regard, he expressed appreciation on behalf of the Community that Haiti was a central part of the Summit’s agenda.

“CARICOM is steadfastly committed to working alongside our Member State, Haiti, an integral part of our family, to ensure that the assistance which is rendered to that nation in the aftermath of the tragic and devastating effects of the January 12 earthquake goes beyond immediate relief efforts,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.

“It must focus on facilitating the medium and long term recovery, reconstruction and development of that country in a sustainable manner. This catastrophe must be seen as an opportunity to bring about the renaissance of Haiti and not simply to bring it to where it was before this disaster struck,” he added.

The Chairman noted the Region’s appreciation for the long-standing support given to Haiti by Mexico, and added that he was pleased to partner with Mexico to explore collaborative efforts to jointly increase that support through measures outlined in the Declaration on Haiti, which was to be adopted before the conclusion of the Summit.

With regard to Climate Change, he stated that CARICOM had recognised the efforts which Mexico had been making at the global level, and noted with interest, its initiative for the establishment of a Green Fund. Prime Minister Skerrit noted that CARICOM was looking forward to further dialogue on that proposal.

He stated that the Region had also noted, with much significance, Mexico’s hosting of the 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention (COP16) in November 2010.

“Our region has a vested interest in the success of COP 16 and we must use this opportunity to ensure strong collaboration among Caribbean countries as the host region, to ensure that the agreement adopted in that forum is comprehensive, inclusive and responsive to the particular needs of our nations,” he said.

The Chairman lauded Mexico for its pursuit of diplomatic ties with the Community in 1974, adding that CARICOM-Mexico Joint Community was pursued in “true pioneering spirit” and it was “historic and deeply appreciated achievement.”