Agreement No. 7/98

We, the Ministers and Heads of Delegations of the Members of the Association of Caribbean States, participants in the Fourth Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council held in Bridgetown, Barbados, December 10-11, 1998.

Shocked by the disastrous effects resulting from the passage of hurricanes Georges and Mitch experienced by several Member States of our Association which has resulted in the loss of human life, as well as great damage to the economy, agriculture and infrastructure, especially in the Republics of Honduras and Nicaragua.

Aware that one of the principle purposes of the Association of Caribbean States is the development and promotion of horizontal co-operation among its members, and with third countries and international organisations with its members, particularly towards those relatively less developed and especially in situations of disasters.

Identifying with the initiatives which have been carried out both at national and international levels, with a view to accelerating the solution to this dramatic situation.

Manifest our willingness to:

1. Express to the peoples and governments affected by these phenomena, our solidarity in these tragic circumstances with which they are faced, a situation that demonstrates the urgent need to take action to prevent and mitigate the devastating effects caused by Hurricanes like Georges and Mitch in the most vulnerable areas of the region.

 

 

2. Urge all Governments, United Nations Agencies, Intergovernmental Organisations, the Business Sector, Non Governmental Organisations and society in general to reaffirm the commitment to find permanent solutions to the factors which cause these natural disasters to have the worst impact.

 

 

3. Express our solidarity with the Central American initiatives arising out of the Extraordinary Meeting of Presidents which was held in Compalapa, El Salvador, November 9, 1998, for the reconstruction of the Central American countries, such as putting in place a Reconstruction Plan, the possible canceling of the foreign debt of Honduras and Nicaragua and the increase in technical and financial co-operation with Central America and other countries affected by these natural phenomena, as well as take into consideration the request of the Central American countries to avoid massive deportation, which would greatly aggravate the present situation.

 

 

4. Intensify our work in the area of the Special Group on Natural Disasters so as to perfect the Draft Agreement on Regional Co-operation in Natural Disasters, so as to rely on an adequate instrument to facilitate the prevention, mitigation and reconstruction of Member States, Countries and Territories of the Association of Caribbean States.