Caption: Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Dr Amery Browne delivers the Trinidad and Tobago statement on the second day of the Summit of the Future, held during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly. Photo courtesy Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs
At the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Caricom, Dr Amery Browne, addressed the global community, calling for the urgent need for enhanced cooperation to tackle the illegal firearms trade in the Caribbean.
Dr Browne, leading T&T’s delegation in New York, highlighted the detrimental impact of illicit weapons on regional societies.
Speaking to world leaders and ministerial representatives, Dr Browne underscored the summit’s importance in renewing global solidarity to address contemporary challenges and fulfil existing commitments.
He stressed the necessity of international cooperation to support the most vulnerable nations, including least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS).
Browne called for reforms in the international financial system, advocating for development assistance guided by a multi-dimensional vulnerability index. He expressed concern over the international community’s failure to maintain global peace, noting the rise in conflicts that contradict the UN’s founding purpose.
Highlighting the ease of access to illegal firearms in the Caribbean, Browne urged for stronger collaboration among national, regional, and global stakeholders to combat the illicit arms trade. He also emphasized the role of science, technology, and innovation in achieving sustainable development, while acknowledging the risks of rapid technological advancement. Browne advocated for bridging the digital divide and enhancing cybersecurity.
He stressed the importance of empowering youth as key stakeholders in sustainable development, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to thrive. Browne reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to improving the quality of life for future generations.
Dr Browne said, “However, as we progress into an era of high dependence on technology and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, we must also acknowledge the magnitude of the associated risks. Therefore, as a small developing State, we are not only advocating for cooperation aimed at bridging the digital divide but also for strengthening our capacity in cybersecurity to address those risks.
“Our young people are key stakeholders in our pursuit of sustainable development. Consequently, we must ensure that they are equipped with the necessary tools and provided with the opportunities to reach their full potential. Additionally, our policies and programmes must include provisions to ensure the well-being of future generations.
“In this context, T&T remains unswerving in our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of our youth population, and that of future generations,”
Recalling the words of T&T’s first prime minister, Dr Eric Williams, Browne reminded the assembly of the UN’s central responsibility to maintain world peace through both conciliation and human development, urging continued fulfillment of these vital obligations.
