Belize Assumes Pro Tem SICA Presidency from the Dominican Republic

For the next six months, Belize will remain at the helm of the Central American Integrated System, SICA, having assumed the Presidency Pro Tempore on June thirtieth from the Dominican Republic.  During its chairmanship, Belize will seek to strengthen relationships between CARICOM and SICA.  In observance of the International Decade for People of African Descent, a plan of action will be put together to address the socioeconomic, cultural and political development of people of African Descent.  Foreign Minister Elrington shares more.

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“SICA is really an integration movement and I think it consists of eight countries in the region and the intention is to for us to draw ever closer to try to deal with the multifarious, the very many issues that affect the development and security of the region.  So we’ve decided to pool our resources because we really believe that in unity there is strength and unless we integrate I don’t think that any of us will be able to attain to the development that we need to achieve in order to bring happiness, peace, security and contentment to our populations.  So the role of SICA is to coordinate the increasing interaction between all eight countries in all the programs that we have identified; peace, security, development, social integration, that kind of thing.  In order to get the countries together, the leadership together on a more frequent basis.  I think it is thought that at least twice per annum is better than once a year.  So if you held the heads meeting every six months when you have the transition, at least you give the leaders, the prime minister and the presidents an opportunity to meet together at least twice for the year and I think that’s reasonable.  Much the same thing is done in CARICOM actually.”