The Hummingbird SPECIAL ISSUE
FEATURING THE CDCC AND CDR HOSTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
Welcome Sint Maarten
SINT MAARTEN JOINS ECLAC AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER
ECLAC Achievements RESPONDING TO THE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was established in 1948 to support Latin American governments in the economic and social development of that region. Subsequently, in 1966, the Commission (ECLA, at that time) established the subregional headquarters for the Caribbean in Port of Spain to serve all countries of the
insular Caribbean, as well as Belize, Guyana and Suriname, making it the largest United Nations body in the subregion. At its sixteenth session in 1975, the Commission agreed to create the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) as a permanent subsidiary body, which would function within the ECLA structure to promote development cooperation among Caribbean countries. Secretariat services to the
CDCC would be provided by the subregional headquarters for the Caribbean. Nine years later, the Commission’s widened role was officially acknowledged when the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) modified its title to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
Member Countries
Associate Members
Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Barbados Belize Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Guyana Haiti Jamaica Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago
Anguilla Aruba Bermuda British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Curaçao Guadeloupe Martinique Montserrat Puerto Rico Sint Maarten Turks and Caicos Islands United States Virgin Islands
Contents 6
Opening Statement
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CDCC in Saint Kitts
Alicia Bรกrcena addresses the CDR 26th CDCC wraps-up in Saint Kitts as policy makers discuss debt, SDGs and ageing
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CDR addresses Caribbean debt
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New Resolutions
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Fun Facts
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ECLAC achievements 2014-2015
The Caribbean Development Roundtable addresses debt swap for Caribbean
Six new resolutions adopted at 26th CDCC Facts about Saint Kitts and Nevis ECLAC responds to the development priorities of the Caribbean
EDITORIAL TEAM Director: Diane Quarless, ECLAC Editor: Alexander Voccia, ECLAC Copy Editor: Denise Balgobin, ECLAC Publication Design: Blaine Marcano, ECLAC The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 |
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It is clear that the Caribbean needs a dynamic growth strategy to lift the economies out of debt.
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e have dedicated this fourth Caribbean Development Roundtable to giving greater clarity to the structural weaknesses and intrinsic vulnerabilities of Caribbean Small Island Developing States, which we argue are central to the underlying causes of the unsustainably high levels of debt being carried by too many countries in this subregion. It is clear that the Caribbean needs a dynamic growth strategy to lift the economies out of debt while building resilience to natural disasters and the other impacts of climate change. We see green growth as an inescapable path for the future. Many sectors offer huge opportunity to pursue such a strategy. For example, energy security through renewable energy investment and enhanced energy efficiency represents low hanging fruit for the region. Much more effort is also needed in making the Caribbean more business friendly especially in relation to SMEs. There is strong evidence that Caribbean firms compared to those in other
small states are older and less willing to export. While much progress has been made by a few countries in improving the business climate, there is still much room for improvement.
means that the subregion will need to be diligent in its effort to build a macroeconomic environment that attracts investment finance especially in green sectors.
An important cross cutting issue is the need for a strategy to invest in knowledge through high quality education and training to advance green growth and to strengthen the knowledge economy. Too many young people are unemployed and we must open the space to employ those that have the potential to be productive. The role of ICT is critical in reaching a larger number of our people who very often cannot afford to be stabled in an institution of formal training.
For these several reasons we are convinced that this is not a time for the Caribbean to be constrained by an excessive debt burden that limits its development options. This Roundtable therefore has before it a proposal developed by ECLAC to address the debt burden being shouldered by the countries of the Caribbean. We considered it urgent to put forward this proposal because of our continuing concern that the performance of the Caribbean economies showed very clearly that given the current debt overhang and the structural challenges and vulnerabilities, your growth trajectory will be unquestionably compromised in the medium term.
To pursue these opportunities meaningfully, financing for development is critical. However, as you very well know, bilateral and International financial Institutions have so far remained resolute that Caribbean countries are middle and high income states and therefore not entitled to concessional financing. The advocacy to alter this perspective must continue, but this continuing hurdle also
Taken from the opening statement at the Caribbean Development Roundtable
Alicia Bรกrcena meets with officials at the CDR. The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 |
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26th CDCC wraps-up in Saint Kitts as policy makers discuss debt, SDGs and ageing
The meeting also provided opportunity to welcome new associate member of ECLAC to the CDCC, Sint Maarten.
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t the meeting of ECLAC’s Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), which took place in Saint Kitts and Nevis on 22 April 2016, the main areas for discussion were the debt burden facing countries of the subregion, a strategic approach to implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the Caribbean, and the need to prepare for an ageing population. The CDCC meeting built on the outcomes of the fourth meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR), which took place the day before at the same location. The CDR examined measures to address the Caribbean’s debt obligations while seeking to promote sustainable development. Consideration was given to practical solutions that support more effective debt management and harnessing green industries to promote economic transformation in the Caribbean. The Committee received a summary of these discussions held, and was invited to endorse the recommendations that emerged from the Roundtable. The Committee also received a report on ECLAC’s proposal on debt for climate adaptation swaps: a strategy for growth and economic transformation of Caribbean economies. Under this item, a strategic approach to
implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Caribbean was outlined, in the light of the unique challenges that the countries of the subregion continue to face. Preparing for an ageing population in the Caribbean was another important issue that was focused upon. The Committee was invited to consider the range of development challenges that will attend the subregion as its population ages, including declining health and disability; growing economic and social vulnerability; the increased incidence of isolation and loneliness; and the implications for governments and communities in respect of the anticipated rise in demand for economic and social welfare to support older persons. Key policy recommendations were also touched upon. Discussions on these matter were informed by two reports, one on the Caribbean Conference on Ageing, Elder Abuse and the Rights of Older Persons (held in Dominica on 30 November and 1 December 2015), and the other, a policy brief titled ‘Ageing in the Caribbean: implications of a changing population’.
of Work were discussed. A presentation was given on the work of ECLAC in the Caribbean during the 2014-2015 biennium, for which the Committee was invited to review the report, in addition to consider the implementation of the programme of work for the biennium 2016-2017, and endorse the proposed programme of work for the biennium 2018-2019. The meeting also provided opportunity to welcome new associate member of ECLAC to the CDCC, Sint Maarten, which was granted associate membership of ECLAC at the thirty-fifth session of the Commission in Lima in May 2014. The date and venue of the eighteenth meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the CDCC were announced, with the stipulation that the venue for future meetings of the Monitoring Committee shall be the subregional headquarters for the Caribbean, unless a member of the Committee offers to host the meeting. The meeting ended with the consideration and adoption of resolutions.
ECLAC Caribbean’s future, present and past undertakings were also addressed at length, as the office’s 2014-2015, 20162017 and 2018-2019 Programmes
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CDR addresses debt swap for Caribbean
Since the global financial crisis, the region has experienced low growth, high unemployment and a mounting public debt.
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The main area of discussion at the fourth meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) was the debt burden faced by Caribbean states, with a particular focus on how to balance adjustment with sustainable development. The Hummingbird sat down with Sheldon McLean, Economic Affairs Officer at ECLAC Caribbean to get his views on the recent CDR.
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Sheldon, what would you say was the background for this year’s CDR meeting?
Well, in 2015 we witnessed the culmination of three major United Nations processes that attempted to redefine the paradigm of development and the nature of partnerships between developed and developing states. These included the agreement on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) which build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a global development framework for development; the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD) which took place in July 2015 in Addis Ababa to address financing the SDGs; and lastly, the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) in December 2015.
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How do these processes relate to the Caribbean?
They relate very closely. We have to start by looking at the SDGs, which outline a new approach to development in which economic, social and environmental challenges are viewed through the same lens and are to be addressed in a multidisciplinary fashion. This perspective is of immense importance to Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS), categorized as middle-income countries based solely on a GDP per capita criterion. For Caribbean SIDS especially, the growing threat of their increased vulnerability to climate change and a variety of social challenges, inclusive of population ageing, the rise in the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the persistence of poverty and inequality, high youth unemployment, the loss of skills through emigration, low technological capacity, increasing challenges to regional integration, limited resources for social protection and social exclusion especially of persons living with disabilities, all these are of great concern.
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So where does the Caribbean currently find itself, as it seeks to address these many issues?
The subregion as a whole finds itself at a crossroads. Since the global financial crisis, the region has experienced low growth, high unemployment and a mounting public debt, and these have reduced the fiscal space necessary to vigorously pursue the goals of sustainable development. In particular, the Caribbean’s debt situation threatens to derail hard won economic gains as Governments seek to address liquidity and in some cases, solvency problems. In assessing the debt profile of the countries, ECLAC has determined that countries in this hemisphere can be placed into three categories, based on their debt structure. The first group represents the highly indebted countries whose debt to GDP ratios range between 99% and 135% of GDP, and whose debt servicing absorbs a huge proportion of public expenditure. In the second group are the moderately indebted whose debt ranges between 41% and 77% of GDP, and in the third are a few countries whose debt averages around 31% of GDP.
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What is ECLAC doing to provide support to these countries?
For the high and moderately indebted countries, the debt challenge has reduced access to international finance in an environment of stagnant growth. In response, ECLAC has offered a proposal based on debt for Climate Adaptation Swaps, which can help to free-up fiscal space and create the environment for advancing sustainable development. This year the CDR addressed the Caribbean’s debt challenge by providing a forum for examining existing opportunities for promoting sustainable development despite the debt burden.
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This being the focus of the CDR, what was its outcome?
Well, the main objective of the Roundtable was to develop a strategy for addressing the vulnerabilities of Caribbean SIDS, through identification of integrated policies for building resilience. More specifically, it created a forum whereby participants could present, share and debate innovative ideas on the economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities and propose new solutions for addressing these vulnerabilities through identification of appropriate cross-sectoral strategies. It is anticipated that these strategies could be mainstreamed into national development planning processes, through policy formulation.
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New resolutions adopted at 26th CDCC
Six resolutions were adopted during the 26th session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC).
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Six resolutions were adopted during the 26th session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) meeting held on 22 April in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Hummingbird is pleased provide a glimpse into the content of each of the six.
91 (XXVI) Enhancing support for capacity-building in disaster assessment and resilience-building strategies in the Caribbean. ECLAC research has demonstrated that a single disaster, such as a major hurricane, could set back the development process by as much as a decade in Caribbean SIDS. In light of this, the resolution requests that ECLAC Caribbean continue to provide assistance to Member States with respect to mainstreaming disaster risk management
and disaster risk reduction initiatives in their development plans, and also calls for expanded risk analysis and disaster assessment training activities in Caribbean member States, in order to increase their capacity to gather baseline information and estimate the costs associated with disasters.
92 (XXVI) Promoting Awareness of Ageing in the Caribbean. This resolution acknowledges that significant gaps remain between policy and practice given the limited institutional, human and financial support ascribed to the needs of older persons, and that between 2015 and 2035, the proportion of persons aged over 60 years in the Caribbean will increase from 14% to 22% of the population. The CDCC noted that there is need to address healthy ageing in the Caribbean given the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, of which population ageing is a
major driver, and expressed concern that pension, health and social care systems in the Caribbean are not sufficiently prepared to respond to the needs of a rapidly ageing population. Therefore, it welcomed the continued effort of the ECLAC Secretariat in providing opportunity for ongoing dialogue on the issues of ageing, and took note of the conclusions and recommendations of the Caribbean Conference on Ageing, Elder abuse and the Rights of Older Persons held in Dominica in December 2015.
93 (XXVI) Advancing a Debt Relief Initiative for the Caribbean. The CDCC welcomed the effort to explore options for debt relief for heavily indebted countries in the Caribbean and expressed appreciation for the work of the ECLAC Secretariat in pursuing a solution that not only addresses the debt overhang but also presents opportunity to achieve sustainable development and climate change adaptation through investment in green industries and strategies aimed at resilience building. Noting too that the
unsustainably high debt burden was the result of a series of negative external shocks, compounded by structural weaknesses, and concerned that Caribbean countries have had limited access to concessional external financing because of their classification as middle income countries, the CDCC also encouraged ECLAC to further explore a menu approach to debt relief initiatives for the Caribbean in order to respond to the diverse circumstances of individual member states. The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 |
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New resolutions adopted at 26th CDCC 94 (XXVI) Ensuring synergy in the implementation of the SDGs and the SAMOA Pathway in the Caribbean subregion. This resolution encouraged CDCC member States to make every effort to mainstream the SDGs and the SAMOA Pathway in their national development plans, and requested that ECLAC Caribbean provide the institutional support to facilitate synergies among these, in collaboration with the
relevant agencies of the United Nations System and the Caribbean Community.In the same vein, the CDCC encouraged more active exploration and pursuit of partnerships among Caribbean SIDS, and between them and other partners through South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation.
95 (XXVI) Support for the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Caribbean. This resolution affirmed the importance of both the analytical and operational activities carried out by the Commission in the Caribbean, in addition to the continued cooperation and collaboration between the CDCC and the Caribbean Community, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Development Bank and United Nations specialized agencies,
funds and programmes, as well as other regional governmental and non-governmental organizations. It also noted the efforts made by ECLAC towards greater inclusion of Caribbean associate members in studies and social, economic and statistical reports carried out by the Commission, including a study to identify their current development challenges and priorities.
96 (XXVI) Welcome of Sint Maarten as a member of the CDCC. This resolution noted that Sint Maarten was granted associate membership in the ECLAC by virtue of resolution 683 (XXXV), adopted by the Commission at its thirtyfifth session, held in Lima, from 5 to 9 May 2014. It also took into account the United Nations General Assembly resolution 70/96 of 9 December 2015, which requests the specialized agencies and other organizations
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and institutions of the United Nations system and regional organizations to strengthen existing measures of support and to formulate appropriate programmes of assistance to the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, within the framework of their respective mandates, in order to accelerate progress in the economic and social sectors of those territories.
FunFACTS
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about Saint Kitts and Nevis
s the host of this year’s Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) and Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), Saint Kitts and Nevis was the focus of attention and interest from the 29 Caribbean countries invited to participate in the meetings. The Hummingbird is pleased to share some unusual facts about the twin island state that will lead the CDCC for the next two years:
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Saint Kitts and Nevis are said to be shaped roughly like a cricket bat and ball, celebrating the game that is the Caribbean’s passion. Nevis is surrounded by coral reefs and is almost a single mountain with a height of 3,232 feet. The centre of both islands is dominated by a volcanic mountain chain. Christopher Columbus first spotted Saint Kitts in 1493, when it was populated with native tribes, but the Europeans didn’t colonize until the British arrived in 1623. In 1782, the island came under permanent British control after a crucial British victory over the French at Brimstone Hill. It got its independence from Britain in 1983. Nevis continued to be part of the British colonial holdings until 1967 when it achieved Associated Statehood with St. Kitts. Once called the Gibraltar of the West Indies for its domination of 18th century battles, Saint Kitts so honours its past with careful restoration that the United Nations has designated Fort Brimstone a World Heritage site, and it is a living museum of historical exploration. The full name of St Kitts and Nevis is Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis. It is said that Christopher Columbus was so taken by the island’s natural beauty and saintly shape that he named the island after the patron saint of all travellers, St. Christopher. Little did he know that the baptismal name he bestowed upon the island would be affectionately shortened to Saint Kitts. The name Nevis is derived from “Nuestra Senora de Las Nieves” which means “Our Lady of the Snows,” because of the cloud capped mountain. From its early settlement by Europeans, every religious conviction found fertile soil on the island of Saint Kitts. Besides the many reform movements of Christianity, the tiny island made room for Jewish and Catholic worship, as well as Free Masonry. It was the home of one of the oldest Jewish Temples and oldest Masonic Temples in the Caribbean. The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 |
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ECLAC achievements 2014-2015: responding to the development priorities of the Caribbean
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D
uring the CDCC, ECLAC Caribbean Director, Diane Quarless, outlined some of the organizations’ achievements during the last biennium (2014-2015). She explained that ECLAC’s approach to delivering on the programme of work had been that of “responding to the development priorities of the Caribbean”, as requested by member states during the Twenty-fifth Session of the CDCC (held in Jamaica in 2014), Ms. Quarless also spoke on the implementation of the programme of work for the biennium 2016 – 2017; and the proposed programme of work for the biennium 2018 – 2019. The Hummingbird takes this opportunity to focus on some of the achievements of the last biennium, which Ms. Quarless highlighted in her presentation. REGIONAL INITIATIVES 1.
Resilience-building and disaster assessment
Building resilience and strengthening the capacity of member States to carry out risk assessments is very important to addressing the vulnerability of the subregion to disasters. In this regard, the disaster assessment and resilience building portfolio of ECLAC was assigned to its Caribbean subregional headquarters. In February 2014, ECLAC Caribbean convened a meeting on linking the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) to the damage and loss assessment (DaLA) methodology. The DaLA was found to be complementary methodology to the PDNA. Further, both methods, when applied jointly, served to strengthen the overall framework, insofar as they provided data and information which could be used by stakeholders to inform the recovery process. In April 2014, the updated damage and loss assessment (DaLA) methodology was launched. This edition is more sensitive than the previous edition to the development realities of Caribbean SIDS. 2.
Disabilities
ECLAC continues to be a strong advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, and in March 2014, at the Meeting on Disabilities held in Jamaica, ECLAC Caribbean called for the formation of legislative framework for the promotion and protection of the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities. ECLAC Caribbean is also advocating for standardized nomenclature related to the definition of ‘persons with disabilities’, and calling attention to the importance of data collection for measurement and monitoring.
Photo of Economic Affairs Coordinator Sheldon Mclean at presentation of Preliminary Overview of the Caribbean.
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Regional Coordinating Mechanism
In April 2014, ECLAC Caribbean convened the sixth meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM) for the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation (MSI). The meeting reviewed the progress made by Caribbean countries in the implementation of the MSI, and considered the evolution of the SIDSTAP model for fostering south-south cooperation among Caribbean SIDS. The TAC meeting was also informed that a full pilot test of an online reporting framework had been completed with Grenada and Jamaica. The pilot focused on the thematic areas of “Climate change and sea-level rise” and “Natural and environmental disasters”. 4.
Associate Member Countries
ECLAC supported seven Territories that are Associate Members who are classified as Non-SelfGoverning Territories by the United Nations General Assembly by reporting to the “Special Committee on the Situation With regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples” at the Caribbean Regional Seminar, held in Managua, Nicaragua. As part of ECLAC Caribbean’s legislative mandate to facilitate greater inclusion of the Associate Members within the work of the Commission, eleven Associate Members were involved in three studies, eight participated in eight meetings convened by ECLAC, and three received technical cooperation support – which represents a significant improvement over the previous biennium. ECLAC Caribbean also commissioned a study to examine the specific development needs of the Associate Members, with a view to identifying opportunities for their more in-depth involvement in the development assistance initiatives of ECLAC. The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 | 17
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A ch ie ve m
REGIONAL TRAINING ECLAC Caribbean provided capacity-building support to 72 Practitioners from 10 Caribbean countries in the use of time use surveys, in the dissemination of micro data and in disaster assessment. 1.
Time Use Seminar
Twenty-one experts participated in the regional seminar on the fundamental aspects of time-use surveys in December 2014. As a result of this seminar, participants from national institutions were better able to engage in the conduct of time-use surveys, and to accurately measure paid and unpaid work. This strengthened capacity led to a greater understanding of gender dynamics within the household and care economy, and of women’s contribution to national production. 2.
Micro Data (REDATAM)
Twenty-seven technical experts from four countries received training in the use of REDATAM software to develop applications for the dissemination of micro data from national censuses and surveys. The training facilitated increased public access and more wide-spread use of censuses and surveys for evidencedbased policy-making. 3.
DaLA
ECLAC built the capacity of some 200 public officials world-wide, which included 24 from the Caribbean, in the use of the updated DaLA methodology, demonstrating the global reach and wide-spread acceptance of the methodology. In addition, expanded efforts were carried out to raise awareness at the community level on planning to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, including through a campaign which sensitized more than 300 school children in four cities of Latin America and the Caribbean.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 1. Competitive pricing (Antigua and Barbuda) The Government of Antigua and Barbuda requested an analysis of issues related to increased consumer prices, with the aim of evaluating factors that contribute to the high prices of goods and services, and of developing strategies to improve citizens’ purchasing power. The findings of the study were accepted by
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Government officials and senior technocrats in Antigua and Barbuda. 2.
Damage and loss assessment (Bahamas)
In November 2015, with the support of the International Development Bank (IDB), ECLAC visited the Bahamas to conduct a Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA) following the passage of hurricane Joaquin. The IDB is using the findings of this report to inform the recovery strategy that the Bahamas will pursue with the Bank. This assessment was the first to be conducted in the subregion since the reprioritization of Damage and Loss as a strategic pillar of ECLAC Caribbean. This mission was also unique given the inclusion of a detailed analysis of the impact suffered by the telecommunications sector. 3.
Production of trade data (Bahamas)
ECLAC Caribbean trained thirteen experts on the production of trade date in the Bahamas. Following the training, the Department of Statistics of the Bahamas signalled that it was now producing trade data by volume and value using EuroTrace software, enabling it to provide the data to external entities and to rigorously analyze its trade performance. 4.
Praedial larceny (Jamaica)
In response to a request from Jamaica, ECLAC provided technical advice to inform policy-makers on strategies to reduce the incidence of praedial larceny, which was a growing concern for rural economies in the Caribbean. The findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study were accepted by the Government of Jamaica, and a number of the recommendations have been actioned. 5. National manufacturing strategy (Saint Kitts and Nevis) Saint Kitts and Nevis requested guidance in the implementation of key aspects of its National Manufacturing Strategy, which was developed by the Government to orient the medium term development of the country’s manufacturing sector. The recommendations provided were accepted by the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and are expected to be included in the national budget presentation in 2016. 6.
street lighting policy. The study recommended the replacement of high pressure sodium lights with light emitting diodes, and was accepted by senior Government officials. The operationalization of the policy is expected to result in considerable financial savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and better street lighting. 7.
Population projections (Turks and Caicos)
The Government of Turks and Caicos Islands requested assistance in developing population projections for a 15-year projection horizon, as well as training on developing national level projections. This intervention resulted in improved national population estimates, and has enabled policy-makers to conduct evidenced-based policy development and planning.
OUTREACH The development and implementation of a vibrant, new communication and outreach strategy greatly enhanced the visibility of the work and major achievements of ECLAC Caribbean. The strategy leveraged the full potential of traditional and new media, including social media and on-line media, in addition to print and television. Noteworthy are the publishing of 38 news items by media houses in 22 countries across the Caribbean, including Dutch, French and Spanish-speaking islands; the launching of ‘The Hummingbird’, a new, digital, mobile compatible, monthly magazine, of which 12 issues were disseminated, reaching 5,500 people in 35 different countries; the publishing of 4 issues of the ‘Focus’ magazine, of which a mobile compatible version was made available for this first time; the organising of 5 community outreach events, with a special attention to activities focused on school children; the development of the office’s new website; and the launching of ECALC Caribbean’s new social media platforms, through which targeted messages reached over 22,000 people in 45 countries, 5 continents and 12 language backgrounds across the world.
Street lighting policy (Saint Lucia)
Saint Lucia received technical advice on implementing a comprehensive, energy efficient The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 |
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ECLAC achievements 2014-2015: responding to the development priorities of the Caribbean
With the support of the GIZ, a study to assess mechanisms for improving energy efficiency in the transport sector was completed.
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RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS 1.
European Union-CARIFORUM
ECLAC, at the request of CARICOM, undertook a comprehensive study on the progress in implementing the Economic Partnership Agreement on trade and economic development between the CARIFORUM countries and the European Union. This study informed the negotiating stance of the CARIFORUM States in their engagement with the EU, during the first of the mandated five-year reviews, on improving the impact of this important trade agreement. 2.
Digital currency
ECLAC also made very valuable contributions to the subregion’s understanding of the technical concepts and initiatives in the area of ICT for Development. ECLAC Caribeban investigated the potential impact (opportunities and associated risks) of new digital currency technology in the Caribbean, and convened a series of expert group meetings to guide and review the research. One of the key conclusions from that process was that there was significant potential value in facilitating the exchange of views between entrepreneurs in the new digital currency industries, and regulators seeking to protect consumers, prevent money laundering, and ensure macroeconomic stability. 3.
Population ageing
The ageing of the Caribbean population was addressed through an ECLAC study, as well as at the Caribbean Conference on Ageing, Elder Abuse and the Rights of Older Persons organized by the Subregional programme in collaboration with the Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA); the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs of Dominica; and the Association for the Promotion and Integration of Older Persons of Martinique (AMDOR). The conference deliberated on various issues and challenges of population ageing. It underscored the urgent need to improve pension provision for older persons as well as the need to put in place policies to address the financial abuse of older persons and to strengthen legislation to deal with elder abuse. 4.
countries to focus more on enhancing efficiency in the transport sector in order to advance gains in energy efficiency in the subregion, and acknowledgement that better coordination of policies with respect to transportation and energy was necessary. 5.
Caribbean economies
The annual Economic Survey of the Caribbean presented a comparative analysis of macroeconomic trends in the Caribbean member States against a backdrop of national, regional and international developments. The Preliminary Overview of the Economies of the Caribbean provided a forecast of the likely economic performance of the ECLAC Caribbean member States during the current year, examined macroeconomic trends, new directions as well as economic vulnerabilities and strengths. The Overview also discussed growth prospects and projections for the upcoming months. 6.
Caribbean in ECLAC Flagships
The subregional headquarters also contributed a Caribbean perspective to a number of ECLAC flagship publications. A chapter on fostering regional integration in the Caribbean to strengthen external trade relations was contributed to the ‘Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2014’. The chapter examines the state of trade and economic integration between CARICOM, Latin America and the developed world, as well as a proposed value chain approach to enhance production and trade complementarity. Input was also provided on gender and equality in the Caribbean labour market to the ‘Social Panorama of Latin America’. The office provided substantial input and contribution to the ‘Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean’, since the publication placed increased emphasis on the importance of foreign direct investment for the Caribbean region.
Energy Efficiency in Transport
With the support of the GIZ, a study to assess mechanisms for improving energy efficiency in the transport sector was completed for Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and peer-reviewed at a meeting of experts. Among the main conclusions were the need for The Hummingbird - CDCC ISSUE 2016 |
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ECLAC Caribbean
Family
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ECLAC Caribbean family attending the CDCC/CDR, joined by ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena
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CONTACT US ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, 1 Chancery Lane, P.O. Box 1113, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Telephone: 1 868 224 8000 Facsimile: 1 868 623 8485 E-mail: registry@eclacpos.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Tel.: 1 868 224 8075 E-mail: media-pos@eclac.org
SOCIAL MEDIA
www.eclacpos.org