Period: July – September 2009 (Third Quarter).
Author(s): Frank Bowen
1. The operating environment:
1.1 The major focus of attention for the Caribbean appeared to have been participation (by Heads of Governments) in the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). Among the issues highlighted during the presentations were:
· The global economic crisis and challenges imposed on the economies of small and vulnerable States;
· Climate Change and its impact on the environment; and,
· Trans-national organized crime and its negative effects on the socio-economic circumstances of Small Island States, particularly those dependent on Tourism.
1.2 Recent remarks by a British Jurist about the disproportionate amount of time spent by the Privy Council in hearing Appeals from independent Commonwealth (Caribbean) Countries have rekindled public debate on the retention of that Court as the final Appellate Court, by several countries in the region. Only Barbados and Guyana have established the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their final Appellate Court.
1.3 Despite very high temperatures, the Caribbean continues to count its good fortune in not experiencing any major storms during this current Atlantic Hurricane Season that officially ends on November 30th.
2. Significant changes to project plans or programme development: n/a