COHSOD Conference Highly Successful - Spencer

The 18th Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which ended yesterday (June 4) in Montego Bay, St. James is being deemed a success by Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer.

"We have just ended two days of bruising interventions and the result is a highly successful meeting in terms of effective interactions between the health and education sectors," Minister Spencer stated at a press briefing held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Spa, which was the conference's venue.

Health Minister Calls for More Investments in Health and Education

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has called on Governments in the region to invest more in health and education, to give the countries a sustainable, strategic advantage in an increasingly dynamic and competitive global marketplace.

"We must begin to view health as a resource of fundamental strategic importance to the survival of the region. When placed within the context of a fundamental right, it becomes incumbent upon Governments to remove the impediments to accessing health care," Mr. Spencer said.

Academic Says Education and Health Key to Overcoming Economic Challenges

Senior Research Fellow/Health Economist at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, Roger McLean, has said that health and education are key sectors in responding to the current economic crisis, as well as the challenges of globalisation.

"These are the only sectors that are capable of enhancement and deepening of the human capital base," Mr. McLean told the 18th Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) of Ministers on Health and Education, at the Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, on Wednesday (June 3).

Jamaica to Host CARICOM COHSOD and ECOSOC Meetings: Health and Education, Priorities

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers of Health and Education will be involved in two meetings in Montego Bay, Jamaica next week.

First they will convene the Eighteenth Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) and then will meet with their Latin American counterparts in preparation for a meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Defend Caribbean People - PM Golding Tells CARICOM

Caricom Foreign Ministers gathered in Kingston for the 12th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), were charged by Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding to protect the region's people by approaching international trade issues in unity and with determination.

At the opening ceremony in Kingston on Friday (May 8), the Prime Minister said he had observed a leaning towards protectionism by strong countries; and he advised, "We are challenged to do everything possible to ensure that the leaders of the major countries of this world, in seeking to fix their problems, do not make our problems any worse than they are." He was referring to a marginalisation of offshore banking.

CARICOM Foreign Ministers Hail COFCOR Meeting in Kingston

Despite a heavy schedule, the 12th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), which ended at the Hilton Kingston Hotel today(May 9), has been hailed by CARICOM Foreign affairs Ministers as highly successful.

Chairman of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, told journalists at a post-conference news briefing today (May 9), that the agenda was loaded with many "very interesting, very important items", and they were all dealt with.

Dr. Baugh Takes Charge of CARICOM'S Council for Foreign and Community Relations(COFCOR)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that a main focus of his term as chairman of CARICOM's Council for Foreign and Community Relations(COFCOR),will be the relationship between the region and North America.

"It's very important for us to strengthen our ties with these big countries, these big economies, especially Canada with whom we are going to start negotiations with in terms of developing a trade and development Agreement," Dr. Baugh said.

Dr. Baugh Calls for Coordinated Regional Approach to Challenges

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that CARICOM must develop a coordinated approach, and strengthen its existing policies, in tackling the myriad of challenges currently facing the region.

Dr. Baugh was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 12th Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, on Friday (May 8).

Jamaica Hosts CARICOM's Foreign and Community Relations Meeting

Jamaica will be hosting the 12th Meeting of CARICOM's Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on Friday and Saturday (8th to 9th May, 2009) at the Jamaica Hilton Hotel. Jamaica takes over the chair from Antigua and Barbuda.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, who will preside at the meeting, underscored its importance: "This is an extremely important and timely meeting. We are expecting productive deliberations especially at this period of pressing challenges for our region, heightened by the global economic recession."

PM Says Jamaica Will Assist CARICOM to Streamline Financial Regulatory Systems

Jamaica is to play a major role in CARICOM's efforts to streamline regulatory mechanisms for regional financial institutions, following the collapse of the Colonial Life Insurance Company(CLICO) in several Caribbean countries.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said Monday night, that Jamaica will be assisting CARICOM in establishing a College of Regulators, which will involve financial regulators from all Caribbean countries, to streamline and synchronize the regulatory systems for financial institutions within the region.

PM Golding Says CARICOM to Pursue Economic Concerns with G-20 and UN

CARICOM's concerns regarding the effects of the current global economic crisis on the region are to be conveyed to G-20 Leaders, prior to their summit in London next month, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, confirmed last night.

Mr. Golding was speaking to JIS News after his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport, from a 5-day trip abroad, which included attending the 20th Inter- Sessional Meeting of CARICOM's Heads of Government in Belize, Thursday-Friday, and a visit to Orlando where he met with Jamaicans in Florida, and the Tavistock Group which is investing some US$2 billion in the Harmony Cove Resort in Trelawny.

PM Golding to Lead Discussions on Global Crisis at CARICOM Meeting in Belize

Prime Minister Bruce Golding will leave the island on Wednesday ( March 11) to attend the 20th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government, set for March 12-13 in Belize City, Belize.

High on the agenda for discussions by the Caricom Heads will be the impact of the global economic crisis on the region.