Eleventh Meeting of the Monitoring Committee
of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC)
10 April 2003
San Juan, Puerto Rico

GENERAL
LC/CAR/G.743
2 May 2003
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE
ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE
MONITORING COMMITTEE OF THE
CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE (CDCC)

Table of contents

Part I: List of major decisions and recommendations........................................................................................................... 1
Part II: Organization of the session.........................................................................................................................................2
Place and date of the m eeting............................................................................................................................................2
Attendance
............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Agenda item 1: Opening cerem ony.................................................................................................................................. 2
Agenda item 2: Election of officers.................................................................................................................................. 3
Agenda item 3: Adoption of the agenda...........................................................................................................................3
Agenda item 4: Procedural matters and organization of work....................................................................................... 4
Agenda item 5: Review of work programme 2002 - 2003..............................................................................................4
5 i.
Progress report on the implementation of the work programme for the 2002-2003 biennium as at
31 March 2003 ................................................................................................................................. 4
5 ii.
Extrabudgetary projects...........................................................................................................................5
Agenda item 6: Work programme for the 2004-2005 biennium.................................................................................... 7
Agenda item 7: Status of the review of the CDCC: The Constituent Declaration....................................................... 7
Agenda item 8: Summary of resolutions recently adopted by organs of the United N ations
which may be of
special interest to member countries of ECLAC/CDCC.................................................................8
Agenda item 9: Analysis of trade flows between Puerto Rico and CARICOM and prospects for integration........ 8
Agenda item 10: Developments in relation to the proposal for securing
the internationalrecognition of the
Caribbean Sea as a special area in the context of sustainable development................................ 10
Agenda item 11: Other matters........................................................................................................................................ 12
Agenda item 12: Date and place of the twentieth session of the CDCC..................................................................... 12
Agenda item 13: Consideration of the draft report........................................................................................................12
Agenda item 14: Closure..................................................................................................................................................12
Annex 1: List of participants.........................................................................................................................................13

PART I
LIST OF MAJOR DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

•

In the area of negotiations and trade, researchers and other stakeholders should collaborate
more closely to avoid the duplication of effort in the subregion.

•

The extremely innovative and useful work being accomplished by the Secretariat should be
incorporated into its regular budget and not left subject to extrabudgetary funding.

•

The secretariat should become more closely involved in the activities related to the World
Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) scheduled to take place in 2004.

•

Revised texts in respect of the Constituent Declaration and Rules of Procedure of the
Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) should be adopted as a matter
of urgency. It was incumbent on the Committee to have the Revised Draft texts submitted to
ECLAC for approval at its next session.

•

The study on Trade between Puerto Rico and CARICOM should be expanded to include a
greater number of Caribbean countries. The services sector should be incorporated into the
analysis. The study should also incorporate future aspects and a review of trade relationships,
such as the implications of the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

2

PART II
ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION

Place and date of the meeting
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional
Headquarters for the Caribbean convened the Eleventh Meeting of the Monitoring Committee of
the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on
10 April 2003.

Attendance
The meeting was attended by representatives of the following CDCC member countries:
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St.
Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and
Tobago. The participating associate members were Anguilla, Aruba, British Virgin Islands,
Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. The list of
participants is annexed to this report.

Agenda item 1
Opening ceremony
The Director of the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, Ms. Len
Ishmael, welcomed delegates to the meeting. She also extended greetings to colleagues from
ECLAC Headquarters in Santiago, the Secretary of the Commission and the Chief of the
Division of Programme Planning and Operations. In her opening remarks, she drew attention to
the major issues set out in the agenda for the meeting and reviewed the efforts of the secretariat
in revitalizing the CDCC and carrying forward its work programme to the benefit of the
governments and peoples of the Caribbean. She also expressed her deepest appreciation to the
Government of Puerto Rico for its support in hosting the meeting.
The Secretary of State of the Government of Puerto Rico, Honourable Fernando
Mercado, when welcoming participants also assured the meeting that his Government was
honoured to serve as host to this CDCC session. He emphasised Puerto Rico’s commitment to
the efforts of the Caribbean in meeting the challenges of globalisation, the Millennium
Development Goals and equity in the international economic order. He acknowledged that
poverty and the instability of financial systems were issues that affected the development of the
peoples of the Caribbean. He pledged the willingness of Puerto Rico to contribute to the future
of the Caribbean and, by extension, the rest of the world.

3

The representative of Trinidad and Tobago, as outgoing Chair, highlighted a number of
areas in which the CDCC had achieved much success. He expressed the hope that at this meeting
the Committee would confirm the work programme proposals for the 2004-2005 biennium, and
that the ECLAC system would provide the necessary resources for their implementation. He
congratulated the Director of the Subregional Headquarters of the Caribbean and wished her
success in the future.

Agenda item 2
Election of officers
The Bureau was elected as follows:
Chairman:

Puerto Rico

Vice-Chairmen:

First Vice-Chairman:
Second Vice-Chairman:

Rapporteur:

Suriname

Saint Lucia
Aruba

Agenda item 3
Adoption of the agenda
The following agenda was adopted without amendment:
1.

Opening ceremony

2.

Election of officers

3.

Adoption of the agenda

4.

Procedural matters and organization of work

5.

i.

Progress report on the implementation of the work programme for the 2002-2003
biennium as at 31 March 2003;

ii.

Extrabudgetary projects

6.

W ork programme for the 2004-2005 biennium

7.

Status of the review of the CDCC: The Constituent Declaration.

8.

Summary of resolutions recently adopted by organs of the United Nations which may be
of special interest to member countries of ECLAC/CDCC.

4

9.

Analysis of trade flows between Puerto Rico and CARICOM and prospects for
integration.

10.

Developments in relation to the proposal for securing the internationalrecognition of the
Caribbean Sea as a special area in the context of sustainable development.

11.

Other matters

12.

Date and place of the twentieth session of the CDCC

13.

Adoption of the report

14.

Closure.

Agenda item 4
Procedural matters and organization of work
The meeting adopted its programme of work.

Agenda item 5
Review of work programme 2002 - 2003
5.i.

Progress report on the implementation of the work programme for the 2002-2003
biennium as at 31 March 2003

The Director of the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean reviewed the
activities of the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat from 1997 drawing particular attention to the progress
on work implemented in support of subregional goals and objectives, thus far, in the current
biennium. The attention of the meeting was directed to the document, Progress report on
implementation of the ECLAC/CDCC work programme for the 2002-2003 biennium,
(LC/CAR/G.724).
The Director reported that the key achievements of the ECLAC Subregional
Headquarters for the Caribbean in the current biennium were: the convening of the nineteenth
Session of the CDCC in Port of Spain during the period 14-15 March 2002; the continued
implementation of the three projects funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the completion
of an extensive audit of the sugar industry in St Kitts and Nevis; the conduct of national
workshops in Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago on the assessment of the impact of
natural disasters; and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprise development in the
Caribbean subregion. On the basis of the work accomplished to date, it was anticipated that the
secretariat would be able to complete its schedule of outputs for the 2002-2003 biennium.

5

The secretariat continued to provide assistance to member countries in meeting
developmental challenges by providing support in several key areas, not only through the
execution of work programme activities, but also in response to specific requests.
In her review of the activities on the 2002-2003 biennium to date, the Director drew
particular attention to the work carried out in the following areas:
Capacity building;
Cooperation and integration at the subregional and national levels;
Economic diversification, including studies on the tourism sector;
Gender socialisation, violence and youth;
Negotiations and trade;
Small and medium-sized enterprises;
Small Island Developing States and the Caribbean Sea;
Social consequences of globalization; and
Strategic policy formulation in the area of physical planning.
In the area of negotiations and trade, participants agreed that researchers and other
stakeholders should collaborate more closely in order to reduce duplication of effort in the
subregion.
5 ii.

Extrabudgetary projects

The secretariat made reference to document LC/CAR/G.724/Add.3, which highlighted
activities related to extrabudgetary projects being undertaken during the current biennium.
(a)

Projects fu n ded by the Government o f the Netherlands
•

•

Project NET/00/035: Development of social statistical databases and a
methodological approach to a Social Vulnerability Index; and

•
(b)

Project NET/00/081: Support to the development of trade in the Caribbean
(Development of a trade database);

NET/00/079: Development of a regional marine-based tourism strategy.

Project fu nded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
•

Project BZE/01/001: Support to the development of a human development
agenda in Belize

Delegates expressed their satisfaction with the work undertaken by the secretariat, as
detailed in the progress report on the implementation of the work programme for the 2002-2003
biennium, despite the financial constraints. One delegation wished to see documentation
indicating the rate of success achieved by the secretariat in the mobilization of funds.

6

Appreciation was also expressed for the new and innovative work being undertaken through the
projects executed with extrabudgetary funds.
In response to an inquiry regarding the participation of non-ECLAC/CDCC entities
(Guadeloupe, Martinique, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands), the secretariat
clarified the procedures for the attainment of observer status by these countries. Participants
were advised of developments in the ongoing process, in particular that Guadeloupe and
Martinique had been authorised by France to assume observer status within the CDCC. The
Secretary of the Commission indicated that their observer status could be confirmed by the time
the next session of the CDCC or ECLAC was convened.
The quality of technical assistance received by the Caribbean at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD) was reviewed.
It was suggested that the roles and
responsibilities of the various agencies with respect to follow-up action should be clarified to
avoid duplication of effort and to ensure the most efficient use of resources. The secretariat
assured delegates that the roles and responsibilities of the various agencies involved in the
follow-up to the WSSD were quite distinct. In addition, the role of the ECLAC/CDCC
secretariat, as the body with responsibility for the coordination of the implementation of the
SIDS Programme of Action, was being fully adhered to.
The representative of the United States Virgin Islands expressed an interest in having
more countries included in the Overview of Caribbean Economic Performance, which was
produced annually by the secretariat. He sought ECLAC’s commitment, as a member of the
tripartite Committee of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), to do all within its power
to support the inclusion of non-independent countries in negotiations for the creation of the
FTAA.
Regarding the issue of the marine-based tourism strategy, many delegates expressed an
interest in having their countries included in future studies and in receiving reports on the
activities so far completed.
The representative of the Dominican Republic sought clarification on the status of the
Civil Registry Project, which was to have been undertaken by the secretariat in Haiti. He also
requested an update on the study being prepared for the Dominican Republic on the Fiscal
Implications and Macroeconomic Effects of Trade Liberalization. The secretariat informed the
delegate that despite its efforts, the main donor, the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), had suspended the Project on the Civil Registry in Haiti. The study on fiscal
implications had been completed and the Ministry of Finance in the Dominican Republic had
thanked the secretariat for its work in contributing to its ongoing trade negotiations.
The representative of St. Kitts and Nevis thanked the secretariat for the all the important
work undertaken in her country. She referred specifically to the Social Vulnerability Index
(SVI), which she viewed as important for small island developing States (SIDS) like St. Kitts
and Nevis, saying that she looked forward to the completion of this project. The information
provided in the trade statistics database was also considered beneficial to her country and other
SIDS. This delegate expressed her hope that those activities regarded by her country as critical

7

to the development of Caribbean SIDS would be integrated into the regular budget of the
secretariat, instead of being earmarked for extrabudgetary funding. She further informed the
meeting that St. Kitts and Nevis, despite its vulnerability and small population size, had been
graduated out of the borrowing category by lending agencies.
Regarding the evaluation of the performance of the secretariat, delegates expressed the
view that it would be useful to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the resources mobilized
and the impact of the work of the secretariat. In that regard, the Director of the Division of
Programme, Planning and Operations (DPPO) indicated that this issue was currently under
consideration throughout the United Nations system as all parts of the system had been requested
to institute more effective mechanisms to measure their performance. She mentioned the
difficulty of postulating a cause and effect relationship between the work of the secretariat and
government policy, as other initiatives and events taking place at the same time could also exert
an impact on government policies. It was also important to capture, in a quantitative way,
information on the number of people who had received ECLAC documents and who had been
exposed to the ideas and the outputs of ECLAC. She concluded that, in the final analysis,
ECLAC would be relying on its member States to assist in the evaluation of its performance.
The Secretary of the Commission made reference to preparatory and follow-up meetings
to world conferences, referring particularly to the World Summit on Information Society
(WSIS), WSSD, the International Conference on Population and Development+10 (ICPD+10),
the Fourth World Conference on Women+10 (FWCW+10) and SIDS+10. He indicated that, by
virtue of the adoption of General Assembly resolution 57/270, an ad hoc committee had been
established to oversee those aspects related to the tenth anniversary follow-up to global
conferences. With respect to ICPD+10, he informed that a subregional meeting would convene
during the last quarter of 2003 and a regional meeting in 2004. Both events would be convened
with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In addition, follow-up
meetings to the FWCW would take place in 2004, both at the subregional and regional levels.
The representative from Trinidad and Tobago expressed the need for greater involvement
of the secretariat in activities related to the WSIS, scheduled to take place in 2003 and 2005.

Agenda item 6
W ork programme for the 2004-2005 biennium
The secretariat presented document, LC/CAR/G.725, Draft Programme of work of the
ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean for the 2004-2005 biennium, which had
had been adopted at the twenty-ninth session of ECLAC.

Agenda item 7
Status of the review of the CDCC: The Constituent Declaration
The secretariat presented the document entitled, Status of the review of the CDCC: The
Constituent Declaration (MONCOM 11/7) which outlined the major developments in the review

8

of the Constituent Declaration of the CDCC since its eighteenth session, which had convened on
30 March-1 April 2000. At that session, the Committee agreed, in its resolution 55(XV111), on
the need to undertake a comprehensive review of the Constituent Declaration of the CDCC, with
particular reference to the specific objectives, goals, structures, mechanisms and processes of the
organ, including its relationship with other organs. The ECLAC/CDCC secretariat was mandated
to prepare a document embodying the review. The outcome of the review process stipulated by
the ministers was to be submitted to the Monitoring Committee for its consideration and
approval in early 2001.
In accordance with the mandate, the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat presented a
comprehensive document embodying the review of the CDCC (LC/CAR/G.634) to the tenth
Meeting of the Monitoring Committee, which convened on 6 March 2001. Additional
documentation, including a discussion paper and other background material relating to the
CDCC and the review process, was also circulated.
The secretariat subsequently detailed all developments related to the review process,
ending with the submission to ECLAC, Santiago, of the draft revised texts adopted at the
nineteenth session of the CDCC. However, it had not been possible for the matter to be
addressed at the twenty-ninth Session of the Commission when it convened in May 2002. The
next opportunity would be the thirtieth session of the Commission, scheduled to convene in
2004.
The meeting expressed the view that the adoption of revised texts of the Constituent
Declaration and Rules of Procedure o f the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee
(CDCC) had become an urgent matter. It was therefore incumbent on the Committee to have the
Revised Draft Texts submitted to ECLAC at its next session for approval.

Agenda item 8
Summary of resolutions recently adopted by organs of the United Nations
which may be of special interest to member countries of ECLAC/CDCC
The secretariat indicated that the inclusion of this item was aimed at informing member
States succinctly of resolutions that had particular relevance to Caribbean SIDS that had been
adopted by organs of the United Nations. A number of the resolutions dealt with upcoming world
conferences and summits and would have special relevance in the discussion of subsequent
agenda items. Member States that had a particular interest in any of the resolutions could obtain
copies from the secretariat.

Agenda item 9
Analysis of trade flows between Puerto Rico and
CARICOM and prospects for integration
The secretariat introduced the document, Analysis of trade flows between Puerto Rico
and CARICOM and prospects for integration (LC/CAR/G.731), which provided an analysis of

9

trade flows between Puerto Rico and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries. It was
structured in three sections. The first section provided a brief comparison between Puerto Rico
and CARICOM economies in terms of size, output, development models and trade specialization
patterns. The second section analysed trade flows between Puerto Rico and CARICOM and
provided an aggregate as well as a country-by-country trade analysis with Puerto Rico, covering
both exports and imports. The third section centred on the perspectives for further commercial
integration between CARICOM economies and Puerto Rico.
The results of the study showed that trade flows between Puerto Rico and CARICOM
economies were not significant. They also tended to be concentrated as regards their direction as
well as their composition. In particular, there was a marked concentration in the composition of
Puerto Rico’s imports from Caribbean countries in relation to its exports. Puerto Rico also had a
balance of trade deficit with Caribbean countries that was explained mainly by its imports of
petroleum products.
Moreover, the typology of Puerto Rican export products and the constancy of its
components over time revealed little change in the overall dynamics of trade with CARICOM
countries. The small size of CARICOM economies and their trading regime which imposed
higher tariffs to imported goods relative to those of Puerto Rico, combined with the latter’s lack
of commercial policy autonomy had constrained, to some extent, the development of trade.
However, the diversity of those economies and their structural transformation into resource and
service-based economies pointed to the possibility of developing a trading relationship in
dynamic and value added sectors that could spur the development of these economies’ small and
medium sized firms.
This agenda item was addressed by a panel comprising Ambassador Patrick Lewis of
Antigua and Barbuda; Dr. Jose Raul Perales of Puerto Rico; and a representative of the
ECLAC/CDCC secretariat.
Ambassador Lewis asserted that CARICOM countries had been colonies of exploitation,
rather than of settlement and that they needed to develop a philosophy of quality that could
enhance the competitiveness of their economies. CARICOM economies also needed to establish
a dialogue for trade that would overcome currency problems. Trade between Puerto Rico and
CARICOM countries should be focused towards niche markets. Agro-industry provided an
example of a market that could be exploited and developed. Ambassador Lewis also informed
CDCC country delegations that Puerto Rico had recently become a member of the Alliance of
Small Island States (AOSIS).
Dr. Jose Raul Perales summarised selected main points of the study and referred
specifically to the application of the principle of comparative advantage. He reminded delegates
that the decline in the export and import shares for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean could be
explained, in part, by the fact that the majority of exports originated in foreign capital owned
firms and that a minority of firms was locally owned. As in the case of most successful exporters
in Latin America and the Caribbean, an overwhelming percentage of Puerto Rico’s exports some 95% - originated from foreign direct investment. The sheer size of such export potential
might indicate that the CARICOM countries did not offer much potential for Puerto Rican

10

exporters. Some 5% of Puerto Rico’s exports, equivalent to almost $2 billion, originated in
local, small and medium-sized enterprises, for which the CARICOM economies constituted a
natural trading partner. The establishment of private sector linkages could increase trade between
Puerto Rico and CARICOM. In the case of the larger CARICOM countries, such as Jamaica and
Trinidad and Tobago, there might be an important export potential that remained largely
untapped. The issue was how to move from trade to trade policy. One of the key obstacles to
increasing the level of trade between Puerto Rico and CARICOM countries was the high level of
tariffs and also the prevalence of non-tariff barriers in the latter.
Delegates made three main comments on the study. First, the scope o f the study should
be expanded to include a greater number of Caribbean countries. Second, it should also include
the services sector in the trade database and analysis. Finally, the study should incorporate future
aspects and trade relationships, for example, the FTAA, and should assess the extent to which
these would affect the trade relationship between Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Several
delegations expressed the view that the relationship between Puerto Rico and CARICOM was
based not only on trade but also on a more extensive economic relationship.
The ECLAC representative thanked representatives for their comments and suggestions
and stated that little data on trade in services existed. He informed the meeting that other
countries had not been included in the study because the Government of Puerto Rico had
requested that the coverage be restricted to CARICOM countries. In addition, he noted that a
revision of the study would incorporate the suggestions and comments of countries to the extent
permitted by the available data. He also undertook to provide the Government of Puerto Rico
with the trade database and indicators used in the study in magnetic format, at the earliest
opportunity.

Agenda item 10
Developments in relation to the proposal for securing
the international recognition of the Caribbean Sea as a special area
in the context of sustainable development
The secretariat introduced the document, Developments in relation to the proposal for
securing the international recognition of the Caribbean Sea as a special area in the context of
sustainable development, (LC/CAR/G.732).
This agenda item was addressed by a panel which comprised Professor A. Ralph
Carnegie of the University of the W est Indies (UWI); Dr. Manuel Valdes-Pizzini of the
University of Puerto Rico; Mr. Derrick F. P. Oderson, ECLAC consultant; and a representative
of the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat.
The Director of the Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean recalled that at the
nineteenth Session of the CDCC, in March 2002, the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat had been
mandated to take the lead role in the execution and coordination of the technical work required
for the further development of the Caribbean Sea proposal. The issue of this mandate reflected
the deep concern of member countries with respect to the limited progress that had been made in

11

advancing the proposal over the years, a proposal which, it was recalled, had its origins in the
ECLAC-sponsored Caribbean ministerial meeting of 1997. The content of this mandate had
been subsequently communicated to the Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean
States (ACS).
Pursuant to its mandate, the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat had completed two major
activities from its operational framework, namely:
(a)
Identification and review of existing international and regional conventions
relating to, inter alia, the management and conservation of the Caribbean environment and the
preservation of its resources, with particular emphasis on their sustainability/sustainable use; and
(b)
A review of existing regional and subregional approaches to ocean management
for the possible extrapolation of elements that might be incorporated into the Caribbean
initiative.
Significant progress had also been made in all the other areas identified. The ECLAC
Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean had thus far provided the financial resources
required for the technical aspects of the proposal. In addition, many elements relevant to the
Caribbean Sea proposal and its corresponding process had been gleaned from the WSSD Plan of
Implementation and from General Assembly resolution A/ RES/57/261. On the basis of technical
work and ongoing related activities accomplished by the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat, the further
development of the Caribbean Sea proposal could now be taken further.
In the ensuing discussion, the meeting agreed that there was need to have the Caribbean
Sea recognised as a special area of sustainable development. Some participants observed that the
Cartagena Convention had not sufficiently addressed all the sustainable development issues of
importance to the subregion and progress so far had been modest.
Delegates agreed that the issue was multidimensional and that ownership by CDCC
member States was essential for the effective management of the process. Support from the
wider Caribbean and the Pacific region should also be sought.
There was also general agreement that increased technical assistance to member States
was critical to the success of the initiative. In this regard, it was suggested that more
collaboration among member countries was required to prepare the text of the next draft
resolution to be presented to the United Nations General Assembly.
The delegation of Barbados was commended for its country’s efforts in promoting the
resolutions so far adopted at the General Assembly and appreciation was also conveyed in
respect o f the technical assistance provided by the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat. Delegates
expressed the desire for that assistance to continue.

12

Agenda item 11
Other matters
There were no issues raised under this agenda item.

Agenda item 12
Date and place of the twentieth session of the CDCC
The meeting accepted the offer of the Government o f the United States Virgin Islands to
host the twentieth session of the CDCC and agreed that the secretariat would consult with
member States on a convenient date.

Agenda item 13
Consideration of the draft report
The time factor militated against the tabling of a complete draft report. Delegates
endorsed the portion of the report that they had the opportunity to examine and agreed that it
would be finalized by the secretariat and disseminated, allowing delegates a period of two weeks
to submit comments thereon.

Agenda item 14
Closure
The delegates thanked the secretariat for having convened a successful meeting at which
much valuable information had been provided. The secretariat was congratulated on the high
quality of its presentations and received indications of support and interest in its work. Several
delegates thanked the Director for her stewardship during the period of her tenure.
The Director of the ECLAC/CDCC secretariat thanked the delegates for their
participation and for the expressions of appreciation. The Chairman then brought the meeting to
a close.

13

A nnex 1

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Member States
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Representative
His Excellency, Ambassador Patrick Lewis, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda
to the United Nations, 610 Fifth Avenue, Suite 311, New York, NY 10020, USA. Tel: 212-541­
4117; fax: 212-757-1607; e-mail: antigua@un.int; plewis@un.int
BAHAMAS
Representative
Mrs. Nakira Gaskin-Wilchcombe, Supervisor of Operations - Environmental, Bahamas
Environment, Science and Technology Commission, P.O. Box CB-10980. Tel: 242-327-4691;
fax: 242-327-4626; e-mail: bestnbs@hotmail.com; nwilchcombe@yahoo.com
BARBADOS
Representative
Mr. Selwin C. Hart, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations, 800
2nd Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017, USA. Tel: 212-867-8435; fax: 212-986-1030; e-mail:
shart@foreign.gov.bb
Delegation member
Mr. Mohammed Degia, Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, No. 1 Culloden
Road,
St.
Michael.
Tel:
246-431-2255;
fax:
246-429-6652/228-0838;
e-mail:
barbados@foreign.gov.bb; mdegia@foreign.gov.bb
CUBA
Representative
Mr. Pablo Berti Oliva, Officer, Multilateral Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Calzada 360, Vedado, Havana. Tel: 537-830-9976; Fax: 537-832-1871; e-mail:
paberti@minrex.gov.cu
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Representative
Dr. Leonardo Abreu Padilla, Embajador, Encargado del Departamento de Asuntos Económicos,
Secretaría de Estado de Relaciones Exteriores, Ave. Independencia, N o.752, Santo Domingo.
Tel: 809-535-6280 Ext. 2304; fax: 809-535-0133; e-mail: abreupadilla@hotmail.com;
aabreu@serex.gov.do

14

GUYANA
Representative
Ms. Barbara Haley, Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Takuba
Lodge”, 254 South Road & New Garden Street, Georgetown. Tel: 592-226-9082; fax: 592-225­
9152; e-mail: foraff@sdnp.org.gy.
JAMAICA
Representative
Mrs. Norma Taylor-Roberts, Deputy Permanent Representative of Jamaica, Permanent Mission
of Jamaica to the United Nations, 767 Third Avenue, New York, 10017. Tel: 212-935-7509; fax:
212-935-7607; e-mail: jamaica@un.int
Delegation member
Mrs. Andrea Shepherd-Stewart, Manager, Multilateral Technical Cooperation Unit, Planning
Institute of Jamaica, 10-16 Grenada Way, Kingston 5. Tel: 876-906-4463; fax: 876-906-4465; e­
mail: andrea stewart@pioj.gov.jm
ST. KITTS/NEVIS
Representative
Mrs. Shirley Skerritt-Andrew, Senior Project Analyst, Ministry of Finance and Development and
Planning, P.O. Box 186 Church Street, Basseterre. Tel: 869-465-2521 Ext 1255; fax: 869-465­
5202; e-mail: planningstk@caribsurf.com
SAINT LUCIA
Representative
Mr. Martin Satney, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Development, Environment and
Housing, Greaham Louisy Administration Building, Waterfront, Castries. Tel: 758-468-4418/19;
fax: 758-452-2506; e-mail: ps@planning.gov.lc.
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Representative
Ms. Giselle Myers, Economist, Central Planning Division, Ministry of Finance and Planning,
Administrative Centre, Kingstown. Tel: 784-457-1746; fax: 784-456-4230; e-mail:
cenplan@caribsurf.com
SURINAME
Representative
Ms. Chantal M. Elsenhout, Desk Officer, International Organizations Division, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Gravenstraat 23-25, Paramaribo. Tel: 597-42-0063/420063; fax: 597-41-0093;
e-mail: buza@ sr.net.

15

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Representative
Mr. Carl Francis, Director, Multilateral Relations, Ministry o f Foreign Affairs, “Knowsley”,
Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain.
Tel: 868-623-8056; fax: 868-627-0571; e-mail:
francisc@foreign.gov.tt
Delegation member
Mr. Anthony David Edghill, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Trinidad
and Tobago to the United Nations, 820 2nd Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA. Tel:
212-697-7620/3; fax: 212-682-3580; e-mail: dedghill@trinbago.org.

Associate Members
ANGUILLA
Representative
Ms. Anthea Ipinson, Project Officer, Development Planning Unit, The Secretariat, The Valley.
Tel: 264-497-3635; fax: 264-497-3761; e-mail: anthea.ipinson@gov.ai.
ARUBA
Representative
Mr. Merrill E. Robles, Foreign Economic Relations, Department of Economic Affairs,
Commerce and Industry, L.G. Smith Boulevard 160. Tel: 297-58-21181; fax: 297-58-34494; e­
mail: deaci@setarnet.aw.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Representative
Mr. Louis Potter, Deputy Secretary, Chief M inister’s Office, Government of British Virgin
Islands, Road Town, Tortola. Tel: 284-468-3701 ext. 2084; fax: 284-494-3549; e-mail:
lpotter@gov.vg.
MONTSERRAT
Representative
Ms. Sarita Francis, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief Minister, P.O. Box 292,
Government Headquarters, Brades. Tel: 664-491-3378; fax: 664-491-6780; e-mail:
ocm@candw.ag.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Representative
Ms. Aimee L. Kleinmoedig, Consul for Netherlands Antillean Affairs, Consulate General of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, 701 Brickell Avenue, 5th Floor, Miami, FL 33131. Tel: 786-866­
0484; fax: 786-866-0498; e-mail: aimee.kleinmoedig@minbuza.nl

16

PUERTO RICO
Representative
His Excellency, The Honourable Ferdinand Mercado, Secretary of State, Department of State of
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 9023271, Old San Juan. Tel: 787-722-2121; fax:
787-723-3304.
Delegation members
Dr. Efrain Vazquez Vera, Assistant Secretary for Foreign Relations, State Department of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 9023271, San Juan, P.R. 00902. Tel: 787-721-1751;
fax: 787-723-3304; e-mail: vazquezvera@estado.gobierno.pr
Dr. Waldemar Arroyo Rojas, Under-Secretary for Foreign Relations, State Department of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 9023271, San Juan, P.R. 00902. Tel: 787-721-1751;
fax: 787-723-3304.
Mr. William Mendez Pagan, Representative of the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico, Paseo La
Princesa, Old San Juan, P.R. Tel: 787-721-1381; fax: 787-724-6082; e-mail:
wmendez@prtourism.com
Mr. Jose Raul Perales, Advisor, International Economic Policy, Puerto Rico Export
Development Corporation, P.O. Box 195009, San Juan, P.R. 00919-5009. Tel: 787-765-2727
ext. 4000; fax: 787-756-6190; e-mail: jperales@promo.gobierno.pr
Dr. Pedro J. Rivera Guzman, Director of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, University of Puerto
Rico, Institute of Caribbean Studies, P.O. Box 23361, San Juan, P.R. 00931-3361. Tel: 787-763­
2943 (work); 787-786-7492 (home); fax: 787-764-3099; e-mail: peribera@coqui.net
Mr. Javier J. Rua, Legal Advisor, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 9066600, San Juan,
P.R. 00906-6600. Tel: 787-617-3536; fax: 787-722-6706; e-mail: javrua1@hotmail.com
Mr. Manuel Valdes Pizzini, Director, UPR - Sea Grant College Program, P.O. Box 9011,
Mayaguez,
P.R.
00681.
Tel:
787-832-3585;
fax:
787-265-2880;
e-mail:
m valdes@rumac.upr.edu
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
Representative
Dr. Carlyle Corbin, Minister of State for External Affairs, Office of the Governor, Government
House, St. Thomas. Tel: 340-693-4356; fax: 340-774-6917; e-mail: ccorbinmon@att.net

17

Invited Guests
Professor A. Ralph Carnegie, Professor of Law and Executive Director, Caribbean Law Institute
Centre, CLIC, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. Tel: 246-417-4560/1; fax:
246-424-4138; e-mail: carnegie@uwichill.edu.bb

Mr. Derrick Oderson, Clapham Road, Christ Church. Tel: 246-228-5305; fax: 246-437-8859; e­
mail: doderson@sunbeach.net

ECLAC
Headquarters, Santiago, Chile
Mr. Daniel Blanchard, Secretary of the Commission
Ms. Miriam Krawczyk, Director, Division of Programme Planning and Operations
Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, Port of Spain
Ms. Len Ishmael, Director
Mr. Lancelot Busby, Economic Affairs Officer, Statistics
Mr. Radcliffe Dookie, Associate Programme Officer
Mr. Arthur Gray, Regional Economic Adviser
Ms. Asha Kambon, Social Affairs Officer
Mr. Esteban Perez, Economic Affairs Officer