Assistant Secretary-General (Ag.) of Caricom, Dr Wendell Samuel, has called for action to address the impact of the Middle East conflict on the Caribbean.
Dr Samuel made the statement during a virtual dialogue on April 10 hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. The discussion examined effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, with focus on food security, agriculture and macroeconomic stability.
Dr Samuel said CARICOM has developed a draft response matrix to address fallout from the conflict. He said the matrix will be presented to regional Ministers of Agriculture for consideration, adoption and implementation.
He said the matrix links external shocks to policy responses and outlines measures for implementation. It includes short-term measures and long-term actions and promotes regional coordination.
Dr Samuel said priority areas include coordination in procurement, logistics and reserves, investment in energy and food systems, policy alignment and strengthening of regional institutions.
He said regional economies are affected by global shocks through energy markets, food systems and supply chains.
Dr Samuel said the region depends on imports of food, fuel, fertilisers and shipping services. He said this exposure can transfer external developments into domestic economic conditions.
He said inflation, food access and fiscal stability are current policy concerns. He said there is need to assess how impacts are transmitted and to advance coordinated responses.
Dr Samuel said decisions taken now will affect the region’s response to the current situation and future global developments.
