The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is more powerful when it speaks with one voice on regional and international matters, according to Samuel Berridge, who works in the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit in the St Kitts and Nevis Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Berridge, the assistant secretary in the unit, was appearing on the St Kitts and Nevis Information Service programme, Working for You, earlier this week.

He said there was not always consensus because all member states are sovereign states. However, to the greatest extent possible, member states are encouraged to harmonise their positions and increase their voice with respect to the regional and international agenda.
 
“So [in terms of] functional co-operation, if there is a project at the UN, it makes sense for us to put our resources together and get a regional project so that everybody benefits,” he said.
    
Berridge said there was an added benefit of the CARICOM Secretariat doing the overarching work.

“They have a holistic approach to its so if, for example, we are lagging in one area, another member state can actually step up,” he said.