Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged Caribbean nations to combat organized crime on a regional level and promised United Nations assistance in the fight.
In a message to the heads of government of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mr. Ban said a โchallenge for Caribbean countries is the growing threat posed by organized transnational crime and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.โ
โWe must consider this challenge in a regional context, as well as through the prisms of development, human rights, rule of law and security reform,โ he said. โThe United Nations system stands ready to work with you on these issues.โ
He said the region was vital to the work of the United Nations.
โIt is strongly committed to multilateralism and regional integration, and remains at the forefront in tackling global challenges โ from climate change to strengthening democracy to rebuilding after natural disasters,โ he said.
โClimate change is yet another urgent and growing threat to development, economic growth, public health and our very security,โ he said. โYou have been pioneers in calling attention to the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).โ
โPlease rest assured that you can count on me to continue the promotion of our common objectives for development, security and human rights for all,โ he said.