Photo: Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Tues. June 27, 2023
Over the past week, Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, took part in a meeting held by the Central American Integration System (SICA)-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and another that was held by the Organization of American States (OAS).
Among those present at the SICA-CARICOM meeting, which took place in Placencia, were Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM; and H.E. Werner Vargas, Secretary General of SICA.
During his presentation at this meeting, Minister Courtenay strongly emphasized the power of cooperation, particularly in the protection of our waters while at the same time capitalizing on our marine resources to generate revenue through tourism.
He stated, “Each of our countries is blessed with the bounty of the Caribbean Sea. This common Caribbean heritage is ours, and it binds us together. The Cartagena Convention calls for us, individually and jointly, to provide protection, development, and management of the common waters of the wider Caribbean.”
“We are Caribbean. Somos Caribenos. It will not serve us well if we make any further commitments without delving into the common challenges that we face. The bridge between the Caribbean and Central America considers it our duty to bring together both sub-regions to engage in deep and constructive dialogue,” he further noted.
A commitment to such collaboration was made at the first summit of the groups of countries that had been held the previous year, March 2022, at which SICA and CARICOM issued a Joint Declaration of San Pedro that indicated their commitment to “strengthen collaboration and cooperation” in areas such as public health, foreign policy, trade, tourism, agriculture, and banking and security, amongst others.
Minister Courtenay also made note of the social crisis currently occurring in Haiti, and recognized that as a part of the Caribbean region, collaborative efforts must be taken.
Another issue that Minister Courtenay mentioned was the war between Russia and Ukraine. Hon. Courtenay highlighted just how much impact the war has had on the rest of the world in terms of inflation, and the importance of creating green energy within the region due to the resulting volatility in oil and gas supplies.
Following the SICA-CARICOM gathering, Minister Courtenay attended the 53rd General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC, a gathering of 35 independent countries of the Americas.
At this meeting, Minister Courtenay kept pushing for teamwork and shared goals, taking note of the absence of numerous foreign ministers.
“Belize wishes to speak to the strengthening of a democratic culture of accountability with a focus on human rights promotion, protection, and equality in the Americas. Democracy and human rights are inextricably linked, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these fundamental values are upheld and advanced for the betterment of our societies. Political differences prevent us from adopting resolutions on important issues of the day. It forces us to ask the question, have we lost our sense of common purpose?” he remarked.
Minister Courtenay further highlighted the need for more cooperation, stating “I fear that, unless we face the reality that confronts us, work at this assembly may be in vain.”