In his first speech as Chairman of the Regional Security System Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre affirmed his commitment to working with law enforcement agencies of member states of the Regional Security System to coordinate and intensify regional efforts to reduce the escalation in gun-related crimes in the region.
Stating that he accepts the role of Chairman of the Regional Security System Council of Ministers with humility, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the safety and security of the Caribbean region, Pierre added his acceptance of the position comes with deep conviction in the power of regional unity and collective action.
“Our region today faces an undeniable rise in gun-related violent crimes. We see it in our news headlines, in our communities, and in the fear that has taken root in far too many of our neighbourhoods. These acts of violence are fueled by illegal weapons, and organised networks, and if left unabated, can gradually lead to the normalisation of criminal behaviour,” Prime Minister Pierre said.
Chair, I would like to congratulate the Government of Saint Kitts for the proactive actions they have taken.
“We have seen too many weapons in the wrong hands. If we want to make our streets safer, we must intensify our efforts to go after the sources with assistance from our foreign friends. It is well known that our region does not manufacture guns and ammunition. But our challenge is not limited to the streets and high-risk communities. It extends to the seas and skies, where drugs and arms trafficking continue to undermine public safety, governance, investor confidence, and most importantly, the well-being of our citizens. These illicit trades are not confined to one island or one people – they threaten all of us. Only through a unified regional security approach, under the Regional Security System (RSS), can we hope to disrupt these networks and reclaim control of our borders and communities,” Prime Minister Pierre said.
The RSS, he said, more than ever, must be our tool for collective action.
“It is the most formidable security mechanism available to us. It was conceived decades ago out of necessity, and we must believe in it and strengthen its capacity to serve our expanding needs. We must ensure that its capabilities are strengthened, and funded to ensure its readiness to respond to our present-day demands. If we continue to join forces, share intelligence, and coordinate responses, we stand a real chance of turning the tide on this escalating violence. This crime situation has become a public health issue for the region, placing tremendous stress on our health systems, our criminal justice system, and the financial resources of our countries. And so, a collective, sustained approach under the RSS is essential- supported with more harmonized legislation, enhanced port security, and deeper collaboration with international partners,” Pierre said.
He continued: “As we continue to confront these threats, we must also focus on the transnational criminal enterprises that exploit weaknesses in our systems, our ports of entry, our coastlines, and our porous borders. Another reason why it is imperative that we continue to build and support the RSS as the primary platform for regional security cooperation for intercepting and dismantling these international criminal enterprises.”
The prime minister said that while we keep focusing on crime, security involves more than just the absence of crime. It is also measured by our preparedness and resilience in the face of natural climate events and disasters.
“We must be prepared for the threats posed by natural, man-made and climate-related disasters. Hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and now, cyber threats and pandemics, are part of our regional security challenges. As part of its mandate, the RSS has served us well and continues to play a pivotal role in disaster preparedness and emergency response – (I would like to compliment CDEMA for their continued efforts to our region.) but we must ensure that it is well funded, and ready to act at a moment’s notice, ensuring we are not only reactive but proactive in protecting our people,” he said.
The prime minister pointed to the unresolved dispute between Guyana and Venezuela and how it poses a security threat to the region. He said the region must be seen as a zone of peace.
“We give our unreserved support to Guyana and the sovereignty of the Government and territory of Guyana. I will work with my CARICOM colleagues to continue to pursue a peaceful resolution of the dispute- through diplomacy and constructive dialogue but remain firmly in trench and belief in the sovereignty of the country of Guyana,” Prime Minister Pierre said, adding Caribbean leaders will continue to pursue this goal.
“Peace is essential for progress and national development, and without peace, there can be no lasting prosperity,” Pierre said.
Regarding the current US administration’s implementation of new tariffs, Prime Minister Pierre said “This will create new challenges which we have to confront as a region. We must strengthen our resolve to work together in trade, security, cooperation, and diplomacy.”
In a direct appeal to his ministerial colleagues, Prime Minister Pierre said that if we are to safeguard the region’s future, we must deepen our unity, renew our purpose, and act with urgency.
Said Prime Minister Pierre, “The Regional Security System was born from a vision of regional solidarity in the face of shared threats. The vision remains as relevant today as ever. It is not merely an institution – it is a symbol of what we can accomplish together. I pledge to deepen that cooperation, reinforce our shared priorities, and ensure that our region remains safe, and stable, and continues to build prosperity for all our people.”
Prime Minister Pierre spoke on the situation in Haiti saying it “weighs heavily on all of us.”
“The humanitarian and security crisis unfolding there is one that touches every corner of our region. An unstable Haiti poses a real and growing risk that can undermine the stability of the entire region. As such, we have both a moral obligation and a security imperative to continue to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The restoration of a stable security environment in Haiti must be a collective mission for the rest of the region. Under my chairmanship, the RSS Council of Ministers will prioritize supporting efforts to restore a stable security environment in Haiti, in close collaboration with our CARICOM partners and international allies,” Prime Minister Pierre said.