Thank you for coming here today.

I saw some of you earlier this month in Samoa. I wanted to also have the opportunity to meet with you at the outset of the General Debate.

CARICOM Member States continue to be active on many prominent issues, including climate change, the Post-2015 Development Agenda and Financing for Development.

During his year as General Assembly President, Ambassador John Ashe was a steadfast advocate for UN values and for CARICOM. 

And Ambassador Sandra Honoré has provided outstanding service as my Special Representative for Haiti and Head of MINUSTAH.

I wish to take this opportunity to pay a special tribute to two visionary leaders of the Caribbean who passed away recently.

The Honourable Arthur Robinson, former Prime Minister and President of Trinidad and Tobago, played a critical role in the establishment of the International Criminal Court.  Professor Norman Girvan, one of the most distinguished Caribbean scholars of his time, served as my Personal Representative.

Both left an important legacy for the region and the world.

I look forward to continuing to hear the voice of the Caribbean.

An immediate challenge is how to integrate the particular vulnerabilities of the Caribbean into the Post-2015 Development Agenda, whilst retaining the focus on the remaining MDGs as well as the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway Outcome Document.

Addressing social development needs and building economic and environmental resilience will be central to the implementation of sustainable development goals in the Caribbean.

Your Governments have already taken significant steps to meet the vital challenges ahead, including through the adoption last July of the Strategic Plan for CARICOM over the next five years.

I look forward to hearing your views on how to strengthen the already strong partnership between the United Nations and CARICOM to advance our common goals.

Thank you.