Caribbean national dialogue

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) and the University of the West Indies, in partnership with IIED, hosted a two-day regional workshop in Trinidad on 'The Search for a New Economy in the Caribbean'. The Caribbean is facing a convergence of unprecedented economic, environmental and social challenges, and the dialogue was an initial step in a process of developing a regional position statement on moving towards a green and resilient economy.

Participants stressed that due to their geography, all Caribbean islands are highly vulnerable to both natural disasters and climate change. Dependent on few export sectors and tourism Caribbean economies are susceptible to external market forces. The recent global economic crisis heavily inflicted the Caribbean region, with debt levels in excess of 100% of GDP and staggering unemployment and poverty levels.  Agriculture largely relies on exports crops and some Caribbean economies are driven by non-renewable natural resources.

The dialogue defined the main elements of a new Caribbean approach to economic development, including:

• Transforming the energy sector
• Addressing unemployment and persistent poverty
• Making tourism sustainable
• Ensuring food security
• Tackling class and gender inequality
• Reforming the education system

To accelerate the transition, the region requires new forms of governance – or as one panellist noted:

"We need to provide a new democracy ... this one is worn out."
 

The participants agreed that the Caribbean transition must take into account existing and potential inequalities and respect diversity. To achieve this, the Caribbean should "build on the native genius of our people" and forge social cohesion and a common position.

The short paper on the Caribbean dialogue provides a more detailed summary of the dialogue.  

These key messages from the Caribbean are now helping to shape the GEC policy working group which is now underway as we prepare for Rio 2012.

For more information contact Nicole Leotaud (CANARI) or Kate Lines (IIED)