Belize Joins CARICOM in Celebrating 50 Years

Eamon Courtenay

It was fifty years ago, in 1973, that the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, was established under the Treaty of Chaguaramas. Belize’s membership took effect in May 1974. The Treaty of Chaguaramas was revised in 2001, advancing CARICOM from a common market to a community with a single market and economy, comprising twenty states, fifteen member states and five associated states. At a ceremony held at the Leigh Richardson Building in Belmopan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay spoke of some of the advancements that we have realized over the fifty years.

Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs 

“Fifty years ago, on the fourth of July, nineteen hundred and seventy-three the pantheon of Caribbean political civilization, Barrow, Burnham, Manley, and Williams affixed their signatures to the Treaty of Chaguaramas and conceived the Caribbean community, CARICOM, which was birthed on the 1st of August, 1973. It was not by accident that they signed. In fact, it was by common design and in pursuit of economic deliverance from the suffocating bondage of colonialism. To achieve this ambitious goal, they were, and I quote, “convinced of the need to elaborate an effective regime by establishing and utilizing institutions designed to enhance the economic, social and cultural development of their people.” That is taken from the preamble to the original treaty of Chaguaramas. That treaty solidified the collective political and social aspirations of like-minded countries and peoples. And this year, across the Caribbean space, we pay homage to our 50th anniversary of regional unity. CARICOM’s future is built on four pillars: Economic integration, human and social development, foreign policy coordination, and security cooperation. These pillars provide a solid foundation to continue to expand and deepen the integration process. Approximately 350 CARICOM skilled nationals make Belize their home, allowing us to harness some of the intellectual capacity of the region. Belize recently expanded the number of skilled workers who can live and work in Belize. Some of these nationals come as employees and others as employers, improving our economy, creating jobs, while enhancing competitiveness in Belize.”