The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) providing for further cooperation in a number of areas including justice, crime and security as well as climate change.
CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland signed the MOU, which will facilitate joint implementation of programmes and projects while harnessing the experience and resources of the two organisations
A statement issued following the signing ceremony on Thursday noted that the accord will build on areas of interest agreed to in an earlier MOU, signed in 1996.
It said the areas of cooperation will include, the economy, supporting more inclusive economic growth and sustainable development as well as climate change, strengthening the resilience of small and other vulnerable states, including adaptation and mitigation against climate change.
The MOU will also provide for cooperation in justice reform, promoting more effective, efficient and equitable public governance as well as crime and security, promoting the development and implementation of programmes aimed at combatting crime and enhancing citizen security.
The statement noted that in the area of youth, sports and gender, there will be the promotion of increased youth development through education and employment and develop programmes to promote sports and women’s rights.