The acceleration of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) will be critical for a more inclusive, effectively-functioning and integrated region, says CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett.She said this was especially necessary given the various challenges facing CARICOM member states which included growing susceptibility to the impact of climate change as well as multiple and amplifying risks emanating from the global community including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.“These challenges cannot be met by countries acting alone. They demand and they are receiving collective action [and] collective attention from our community,” she said.Barnett pointed to other risks such as supply chain disruption, food insecurity, cybersecurity and heightened anti-money laundering regulation.Barnett said while a lot of work has been done over the years towards a full implementation of the CSME, there was still a long way to go and regional countries must work together to achieve it.
