United Nations Radio

Christopher Hackett

Trade is a significant factor in the financing of development, and trade rules need to take into account the vulnerabilities and the development needs of developing countries, particularly those with small vulnerable economies. While it is true that developed and advanced developing country partners may experience some developmental challenges similar to those of small states, it is the inability of the small economies to respond satisfactorily to externally imposed shocks, such as the global financial crisis and climate change, which makes them particularly vulnerable. CARICOM calls on all WTO members to support the mandate given at Doha to examine issues related to the trade of small economies and to frame action oriented responses to those issues in order to facilitate "the fuller integration of small, vulnerable economies into the multilateral trading system." The unique concerns and challenges faced by CARICOM in the area of international trade are not being adequately facilitated by international rules governing trade.

Jamaica says no country has been left immune from the global economic and financial crisis:

Raymond Wolfe

The United Nations General Assembly is meeting in its 64th session at a time of extreme turbulence - battered by a global financial and economic crisis which, has struck so deep and expanded so wide that there is no consensus on how to address it or even its consequences. That according to Jamaica's representative Ambassador Raymond Wolfe.

Guyana says agriculture is of strategic importance to the sustainable development of the Caribbean:

Guyana

Agriculture, including fisheries and forestry - is of strategic importance to the sustainable development of the Caribbean region. That's what Guyana's representative George Talbot told the General Assembly's committee that deals with economic and financial matters during discussion on agriculture development and food security.

The Caribbean Community says the long-term growth and development of Haiti and the Haitian people is its common objective:

MINUSTAH peacekeeper

The full measure of the sacrifice of UN peacekeepers can only be honored through concerted action to achieve lasting peace, security and development in those countries emerging from conflict. Jamaica's representative Ambassador Raymond Wolfe told the Assembly's committee dealing with Special Political and decolonization matters that the Caribbean Community's participation in the debate is based on first hand experience as CARICOM hosts the only UN peacekeeping operation in the region -MINUSTAH.

Producer: Donn Bobb
Duration: 14'48"