Report

Mr. Joe Preston, MP represented the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as an observer at the 34^th Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic held in Georgetown, Guyana from July 12^th to 16^th, 2009.

Countries in attendance included:

Anguilla                                 Antigua & Barbuda
Bahamas                               Barbados
Bermuda                               British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands                   Guyana
Jamaica                                 St. Kitts
Nevis                                      St. Lucia
Trinidad & Tobago               Turks & Caicos Islands

United Kingdom (observer status)

The 34th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic commenced with the opening ceremony highlighting the history of Guyana. The conference included many discussion sessions which provided the host country and visiting countries the opportunity to present and discuss a variety of important and timely topics. The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma attended all discussion sessions. 

Barbados and Cayman Islands opened discussions with a presentation on the topic of the global economic crisis and its consequences for the region. Antigua and Barbuda and Bermuda presented an overview of the social impact of economic crisis.  The priorities of spending for Caribbean governments were outlined by Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

A thorough discussion on environment and climate change ensued following a presentation by Guyana and Grenada. Jamaica and St. Lucia presented the challenges in terms of public safety in responses to crime. The Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands’ presentation on human rights in the region provided context for a lengthy discussion on the topic.  The importance of strengthening Parliaments within the region was highlighted by Guyana and Bermuda.

The world-wide economic downturn was the key theme throughout all discussion sessions. The Caribbean Region has been exceptionally hard hit by the global economic situation with reductions in the tourist trade, increasing unemployment, slumping agricultural prices and a reduction in remittances from other countries. 

The Prime Minister of Guyana, the Right Honourable Samuel Archibald Anthony Hinds provided a thorough presentation on a low carbon development strategy. Significant discussions on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) took place throughout the 34^th Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic.

Respectfully submitted,