Govt Committed to Strengthening of Regional Security

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, says the Government and people of Jamaica are committed to strengthening regional and international security in the fight against a wide range of security threats and challenges.

“As a country, we take regional and international security very seriously and have been taking the necessary actions to contribute meaningfully to this effort,” Mr. Bunting said.

He was speaking at the official opening of the 14^th Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC), being jointly hosted by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM), today (January 27), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The conference will end on January 29.

Mr. Bunting said he is expecting robust solutions-oriented discussions on emerging regional threats, regional efforts to counter illicit trafficking and the building and integrating of regional capabilities, among other topics, at the meeting.

The conference,  being held this year under the theme: ‘Strengthening Regional Capacity and Fostering Cooperation to Counter Regional Threats’, is an annual forum for defence and security chiefs from across the region to hold collective discussions on mutual and common security concerns, by sharing experiences, ideas and enhancing operational synergies through strengthened ties and increased understanding.

The forum involves the participation by senior defence and national security officials and representatives from throughout the Caribbean, as well as from countries outside the region.

Mr. Bunting said the Government has long appreciated the benefits of a collaborative approach to treating with the shared challenges, and that its support of initiatives to strengthen regional and international security is complemented by a robust national security programme, including legislation that facilitates greater security cooperation.

He cited the recent passing of the Maritime Drug-Trafficking (Suppression) Act, which plugs a loophole that had been exploited by transnational criminal organisations.

“The criminal enterprises that seek to exploit our size, our vulnerable shorelines and our resource challenges, will not succeed if we intensify our collaboration and take an integrated approach to our security,” the Minister said.

He argued that the strong participation and contribution of international and regional security officials at CANSEC demonstrate that the region is united to fight against criminality and lawlessness.

The Minister expressed thanks to the JDF and the US SOUTHCOM for facilitating the staging of the event.

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson, welcomed the participants and said the JDF is looking forward to leveraging the vast amount of experience, knowledge and human capacity gathered at the forum.

“We will apply ourselves to finding solutions to the existing and emerging threats that face us, by strengthening our regional capacity and fostering cooperation,” he said.