Continue to be voices of the vulnerable – UN SG tells CARICOM

Praising the Caribbean as a place of ideas, examples and solutions, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon on Thursday called on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to be voices of the vulnerable in the Region and beyond. He was at the time delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the 36th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the CARICOM now underway in Bridgetown, Barbados.

I ask you to continue to be voices for vulnerable – not just in this Region but for the globe.  I may not receive top marks in a geography course for saying this, but in today’s interdependent world, no country is an island.  We need partnership and solidarity to achieve our goals in this big year for humanity,” he said.

The UN Secretary-General told the gathering that “we must always act for the shared interests of all humankind and leave no one behind”.

That commitment must animate all we do – particularly in this crucial year of action in 2015 – a year that will shape development in your Region and our world for years to come,” he said.

His remarks placed emphasis on major upcoming conferences that will focus on a framework for financing sustainable development; agreement on new sustainable development goals to guide development policy for the next 15 years; and the adoption of a new climate change agreement.

We need your full engagement at the highest political level.  Take ownership of these processes.  Tell your negotiators to keep ambition high.  These efforts will succeed or fall short on our watch; help us mark a turning point towards transformation,” the UN Secretary-General urged CARICOM Heads of Government.

Read Remarks by UN Secretary-General