Above: CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

By the Caribbean Journal staff

CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque says 2014 was a “milestone” year for the regional grouping.

LaRocque pointed to the approval in July of the community’s first-ever Five Year Strategic Plan, which covers the years 2015-2019.

“The Plan seeks to ensure that our Community is in a position to withstand the effects of events such as the global economic and financial crises and provides the way forward for pursuing sustainable growth and development as a Region,” he said. “Growth and development are critical factors in providing jobs and business opportunities.”

LaRocque said 2015 would mark the “continuation of a dynamic period in our determined efforts to create a sustainable, secure and viable Community for all our peoples.”

“You will continue to benefit from our collective efforts in health as demonstrated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). We are also placing emphasis on developing our human resources, particularly our youth by taking a thorough look at our education system,” he told the region in an end-of-year statement. “The exciting prospect of a single CARICOM ICT Space which would lower the cost of telephone calls and internet access will be pursued. These possibilities have only become reality through us working as one, and more can be achieved with your participation and support.”