“Caribbean local government ministers meet in The Bahamas to formally establish Regional Policy and Cooperation Framework (rpcf) Agreement”
New Providence, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources & Local Government (MAMRLG) will be hosting the 8th General Meeting of the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM) for its regular regional meeting to advance discussions on its ongoing agenda and finalize its CFLGM Agreement on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
To assist with the further development of local government in the region, Minister Gray will meet with his counterparts from across the Caribbean to review and discuss the proposed agreement. The talks will center on promulgation of a Regional Policy and Cooperation Framework (RPCF) drafted by the CFLGM; and securing recognition of the CFLGM by CARICOM. The MAMRLG is providing informational and background materials to the media and other resources during a Press Conference scheduled for Friday, August 29, 2014 at Arawak Room, Melia Nassau Beach Hotel at 8:00 PM.
CFLGM has scheduled 2014 as the deadline for signoff of the RPCF by member states. After promulgation of the policy, the Forum will seek recognition by CARICOM. The Bahamas’ Cabinet endorsed the agreement on 18TH November 2008. Other countries that have endorsed the RPCF agreement include Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Vincent.
The Bahamas began modernizing its Local Government framework i9n 1996. Its endorsement of CFLGM programme framework will serve to further enhance the government’s efforts in this regard. The overall objective of CFLGM is to facilitate networking among regional policy makers and foster collaboration and cooperation among CARICOM states in respect of local governance and local democracy. CFLGM seeks to strengthen partnerships with other regional local governance partners including local government practitioners, administrators and civil society groups, tertiary institutions and international development partners.
Some accomplishments of the CFLGM include: the forging of relationships with most international agencies to secure benefits and significant financial assistance for the region through partnership with other international local government associations.
A notable achievement is the CARILED Programme CFLGM that was launched several years ago. Some of the key elements of the programmatic framework are:
1. Institutional strengthening/Capacity Building;
2. Supporting Local Government/Local Democracy Reforms in individual Member States;
3. Achieving gender equality and the equitable treatment of marginalized groups; and
4. A modern Policy and Legal Framework for Local Governance/Democracy.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources & Local Government will continue its support of CFLGM as the Local Government Sector is vital for the further development of The Bahamas. The CFLGM Secretariat’s mission is “Coordinating the efforts of the CFLGM to drive Local Governance and Local Democracy through regional collaboration.”
For more information on local government development visit the MAMR&LG website at www.bahamas.gov.bs/agriculturemarine or visit the Ministry at the Island Traders Building, Bay Street East, Nassau, N.P. The Bahamas or telephone/fax (242) 397-7400/(242) 322-1767.
The Mission of the MAMR&LG is to enhance the ability of the farming and fisheries sectors to fuel economic development, so as to improve the quality of life, by channeling human, financial and technical resources into areas where competitive advantage exists; and to provide the enabling regulatory environment for the protection and preservation of the national agricultural and marine resources for future generations.
