REGIONAL

Next  CDERA changes name and shift in focus Thursday, September 3, 2009 (TCI-GIS) -- The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) has formally become the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as of September 1, 2009. The primary evidence of the transition is reflected in the organization’s structure. read more... Atlantic hurricane chances low for next two weeks, forecasters say Friday, July 17, 2009 (Bloomberg) -- The Gulf of Mexico should remain hurricane-free for the rest of the month and the chance of a system developing elsewhere in the Atlantic is low, according to private forecasters. A weather pattern in the eastern US is expected to shield the Gulf, home to about 26 percent of US oil production. read more... Caribbean tourism ministers discuss pre-clearance facilities for American visitors Monday, June 15, 2009 (JIS) -- Talks are underway between Tourism Ministers of the Caribbean and the United States State Department, for the placement of pre-clearance facilities in the region, which will allow for quicker and easier immigration clearance for American visitors to the Caribbean. read more... CARICOM steps up measures to contain H1N1 flu Friday, June 12, 2009 (CARICOM) -- The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is intensifying efforts to contain the spread of the H1N1 Virus popularly known as Swine Flu within the Caribbean, with the most recent initiative being the strengthening of national laboratories with PCR equipment and relevant training of lab staff. read more... Region still grappling with HIV/AIDS Friday, June 12, 2009 (CARICOM) -- “After 25 years of grappling with HIV and AIDS, there is yet no cure. Notwithstanding the copious declarations and pronouncements, behaviour modification is slow to take root and stigma and discrimination persist.”  This was starkly put by Karl Hood, Minister of Health, Grenada. read more... Global economic crisis hits labour markets in the Caribbean Friday, June 12, 2009 (ECLAC) -- Urban unemployment in Latin America and the Caribbean rose by 0.6% during the first quarter of 2009 with regard to the same period last year. This variation reflects the impact of the international crisis on labour markets in the region, stated ECLAC and ILO in a joint report. read more... Confirmed H1N1 cases continue to impact Caribbean region Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Sad news out of the Dominican Republic reports that a pregnant 17 year old tuberculosis patient who contracted the new Influenza A H1N1 virus died at a Santo Domingo hospital on Saturday 6th June. This was the first life in the Caribbean claimed by the virus formerly referred to as “Swine Flu". read more... Regional governments agree to intensify efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS Tuesday, June 9, 2009 Efforts to secure sustained interventions in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Latin American and the Caribbean have been bolstered with governments agreeing to intensify, widen co-operation and develop greater capacity in tackling the pandemic. This was the word from Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Andrew Holness. read more... Caribbean governments renew catastrophe cover Monday, June 8, 2009 All 16 Caribbean member governments renewed their catastrophe policies with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility for the 2009/10 policy period. Member governments were able to take advantage of a 10% decrease in premium costs from the CCRIF by increasing coverage. read more... Caribbean leaders have differing approaches to economic problems Tuesday, May 26, 2009 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government have different views how to approach the financial crisis that is affecting the Caribbean and the entire world. The leaders met in Port of Spain on Sunday and discussed ways and means to solve the problems now gripping the region. read more... New storm forms over Cuba, may gather tropical characteristics Tuesday, May 19, 2009 (Reuters) -- A powerful storm with the potential to acquire at least some tropical characteristics is heading toward Florida, AccuWeather.com said Monday morning. The US National Hurricane Center said Monday afternoon the area of disturbed weather formed over eastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas. read more... Caribbean recovery likely this year, says IMF Friday, May 8, 2009 The International Monetary Fund said in its Regional Economic Outlook 2009 report that Latin America and the Caribbean will recover more quickly from the global crisis than advanced economies because they are less exposed to subprime fallout and have more scope to spur growth. read more... BVI spearheading development for British and Dutch Overseas Territories Friday, May 8, 2009 The British Virgin Islands has been chosen to spearhead the development of a regional programme that will benefit the Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME) in the British and Dutch territories in the Caribbean.  After a series of talks, the British and Dutch territories agreed to move forward. read more... OAS secretary general joins celebration of World Press Freedom Day Wednesday, May 6, 2009 On the occasion of World Press Freedom day, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, said that “freedom of expression is an attribute of democracy essential to guarantee proper political participation, to achieve the effective inclusion of all the sectors of the population... read more... Caribbean tourism sector launches hotel energy efficiency programme Saturday, March 28, 2009 The Caribbean tourism sector has taken a major step towards energy efficiency within the hotel industry. One of the main components is the design and preparation of the energy efficiency programme and institutional strengthening. Barbados will be used as a case study. read more... EU contributes 12.5 million euros to Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility Saturday, March 28, 2009 The European Union has joined the CCRIF’s 16 member governments, Canada, the World Bank, the United Kingdom, Bermuda, Ireland, France and the Caribbean Development Bank in donating to the facility’s reserve pool. The €12.5 million donation increased the tally to over US$65 million. read more... CARICOM countries to make representation on behalf of Turks and Caicos Islands, says Bahamas PM Thursday, March 26, 2009 NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) propose to make representation to the British Government regarding recommendations in the Interim Report of the Turks and Caicos Commission of Inquiry, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Hubert Ingraham, told Parliament on Wednesday. read more... Latest developments in CLICO saga Monday, March 23, 2009 Following the conclusion of the Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Belize City, Belize, it was declared that the CL Financial crisis was a regional problem that needs a regional solution and, to this end, a college of regulators has been established. read more... Nuclear technology tracks Caribbean pollution Saturday, March 21, 2009 (AFP): A UN agency is using nuclear material and technologies to study coastal pollution in a dozen Caribbean countries caused mainly by oil refineries, its officials said.  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is focusing on marine pollution in this project because the sea is vital to the region. read more... Big drop in Caribbean reef fish linked to coral loss Saturday, March 21, 2009 (AFP): The number of fish living in Caribbean reefs has dropped significantly since 1995, after decades of stability, and is likely due to a significant loss of coral, a study published on Thursday found. Researchers examined data from 48 different studies of 318 reefs across the Caribbean. read more... Suspension of Turks and Caicos Constitution is not new in the region Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Governor, Gordon Wetherell, in a broadcast to the territory on Monday announced that the constitution of the TCI would be partially suspended for two years following receipt of the final Commission of Inquiry report into government corruption. read more... Caribbean's fight against warming hurt by crisis Thursday, March 12, 2009 SANTIAGO, Chile (Bloomberg): The Caribbean and Latin America’s fight against global warming will probably be hampered by the financial crisis, which may prompt governments to put off tax increases and stronger environmental rules, a World Bank economist said. read more... Choice Hotels backs efforts to keep Caribbean tourism moving Wednesday, March 11, 2009 HAMILTON, Bermuda: Choice Hotels International has announced plans to bolster Caribbean tourism's efforts to beef up business in today's challenging economic environment. The company has confirmed its elite gold sponsorship package for the 13th annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference. read more... CLICO fears shared by entire Caribbean Monday, March 9, 2009 GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): On March 5, the shares of the great Citigroup, once one of the largest banks and companies in world, traded for only 97 US cents on the New York Stock Exchange. Unfortunately, this is not a unique situation. It has been repeated with many other financial institutions. read more... Caribbean Tourism Organization postpones sustainable tourism conference until 2010 Monday, March 9, 2009 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the postponement of its annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise referred to as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC). The current global situation has made it difficult. read more... Weight of economic crisis will fall on lowest income groups in the Caribbean Wednesday, December 24, 2008 (ECLAC) The weight of the economic crisis will be felt most by the lowest income households in Latin America and the Caribbean more than by any other group. The economic slowdown expected in 2009 will bring with it a rise in unemployment and a drop in remittances. read more... Dominican Republic no longer interested in joining CARICOM Saturday, December 13, 2008 The Dominican Republic is no longer interested in becoming a part of CARICOM, according to the country’s ambassador to the European Union (EU). "Nobody wants to belong to an institution where they are not wanted," said Dominican Republic Ambassador to the EU, Federico Cuello Camilo. read more... Regional integration process remains on course, says CARICOM Secretary-General Saturday, December 13, 2008 Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr Edwin Carrington announced at his annual End-of-Year media briefing that, despite significant challenges that the region has encountered from both internal and external forces, the regional integration process remains on course with the people of the region at its heart. read more... CARICOM Secretariat urges closer links between disaster management agencies Thursday, December 4, 2008 Dr Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary-General of the CARICOM Secretariat told the opening ceremony of the 48th Session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council on Monday that it was necessary to re-position the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO) to address developmental concerns. read more... IICA Director General offers 'Food for Thought' on Caribbean food security Thursday, December 4, 2008 Dr Chelston Brathwaite, Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, engaged the media in Trinidad and Tobago in a discussion on a proposed Caribbean Food Plan – one that will ensure that the region’s food security needs are met once all systems are in place. read more... Island states seek tougher UN climate deal Thursday, December 4, 2008 (Reuters): A group of 43 small island states called on Wednesday for tougher goals for fighting global warming than those being considered at UN climate talks, saying that rising seas could wipe them off the map. Average temperatures rose by about 0.7 Celsius last century. read more... Global crisis an opportunity for regional action, says CARICOM secretary general Friday, November 28, 2008 The current global economic and financial crisis underscored the need for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States to exploit all the benefits available through strengthened and accelerated regional action by the Community, said Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of CARICOM. read more... 2008 saw record-breaking hurricane season Friday, November 28, 2008 (AFP): The record-breaking 2008 hurricane season, which officially ends on Sunday, has been one of the most active since comprehensive reports began 64 years ago, a US government agency said Wednesday. For the first time on record, six consecutive tropical cyclones struck the US mainland. read more... COHSOD endorses visionary plan for CXC Tuesday, November 25, 2008 (CUOPM): A visionary plan for moving the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to a higher level over the period 2008 to 2012 has been endorsed by the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD).  The ministerial meeting addressed the key issues of quality assurance and expanded relevance. read more... Regional economists and officials meet in Dominican Republic Tuesday, November 25, 2008 (ECLAC): Economists, government officials from the region and high-ranking representatives of regional and international organizations gathered in the Dominican Republic this weekend to discuss the causes and challenges of the current global financial crisis. The seminar was convened by President Leonel Fernández. read more... CSME high on the agenda for COTED meeting Tuesday, November 25, 2008 The twenty-sixth meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), opened in Guyana on Monday, and Caribbean trade ministers believe that the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) will significantly aid in the region’s efforts to tackle the global financial crisis. read more... CARICOM Bureau discusses impact of global financial crisis on the region Tuesday, November 25, 2008 (BIS): The global financial crisis and its impact on tourism and foreign direct investment in the region were among matters discussed at the 24th Meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St John’s, Antigua on Saturday. read more... Caribbean faces squeeze from financial crisis Wednesday, November 19, 2008 (Reuters): The international financial crisis is putting a squeeze on cash-strapped governments across the Caribbean as the region braces for a steep economic slowdown.  A severe spillover from the crisis will be seen in the Caribbean's important tourism market during the winter high season. read more... Forum to address broadband connectivity for small island states in the Caribbean Tuesday, November 18, 2008 A major initiative taken by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) in conjunction with the government of Trinidad and Tobago is to address the requirement for national broadband connectivity for small island states throughout the Caribbean. read more... OAS to explore opportunities to increase export income in the Caribbean Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Light Years IP has been commissioned by the Department of Trade and Tourism of the Organization of American States (OAS), funded through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to study a variety of Caribbean products with potential for increased export income. read more... Next