The honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, Delmaude Ryan signed two agreements at the 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Haiti.
Minister Ryan signed on to the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions, and the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE)
The agreement which established the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), is designed to determine and prescribe standards and to accredit programmes of medical, dental, veterinary and other health professions education on behalf of the contracting parties in CARICOM. The CAAM-HP was established as a means of providing quality assurance that generates confidence. It was set up in response to developments and the regional thrust to ensure quality education and training in the context of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The CCREEE is intended to function as the implementation hub for the CARICOM Energy Policy, as well as the Caribbean Sustainable Roadmap and Strategy. When fully operational, the Barbados-based CCREEE is expected to improve the quantity and quality of programmes and projects in sustainable energy within the Region.
Other regional agreements were signed during the 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves signed the new CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) which is expected to boost the regional transportation sector. MASA will expand the scope of airlines owned by CARICOM nationals to provide air services throughout the Caribbean.
The CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty and the revised agreement establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) were signed by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart.
The CARICOM arrest warrant treaty simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid. The treaty was already signed by some other CARICOM member states.
The revised agreement establishing the CXC seeks to update the CXC’s legal structure in light of subsequent organisational practices, recent market developments and current needs; with particular emphasis on accommodating requests from additional territories and institutions to join or otherwise participate in the CXC.
The February 26 and 27th meeting allowed for discussions on a range of issues affecting the Caribbean. Some of the issues discussed were regional security, climate resilient communities following the devastating 2017 hurricane season, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), regional transportation and the tourism sector, among others.