José Miguel Insulza, secretary general of the Organisation of American States.

In a few days, Trinidad and Tobago will host the democratically-elected leaders of the 34 member states of the Organisation of American States (OAS) for two days of intensive dialogue on the best ways of overcoming the immediate and future challenges facing the people of our hemisphere.

Global events

In the midst of deep and diverse crises in the global economy and society, the meeting could not come at a more propitious time: it offers a great opportunity for leaders in our hemisphere to shape a fresh, regional development perspective, that draws heavily on the lessons from recent global events and that ushers a new era in hemispheric relations.

The summit's theme, 'Securing our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability', was decided long before the global crisis exploded. It is clear that the economic problems facing the world will play a central role in the summit.

But the economic downturn has only accentuated the importance of the theme, as there is clear evidence of the negative impacts of economic policies and strategies that are at the heart of the crisis, on human security and environmental sustainability.

It is important that all leaders at the summit ensure that the policies and strategies that they adopt to deal with the current crisis do not increase the vulnerability of the poor and disadvantaged. There should not be any significant 'roll back' in the impressive human development gains that have been attained over the past decade.

There are still millions of citizens in our hemisphere who live in abject poverty and whose basic needs are not being met.

However, not all in Trinidad and Tobago will be directly related to the global financial crisis. Our leaders will have, for instance, a great opportunity to signal a firm and irrevocable commitment to build low-carbon economies and societies in our region.

This is critical for all counties whether big or small, developed or developing, but especially in the Caribbean, where there is hardly any other issue affecting more their citizens' daily lives.

Renewable energy

It is, therefore, important that the technology regarding renewable and sustainable energy be shared between rich and poor countries at affordable prices.

The OAS is ready and willing to support a hemispheric sustainable energy partnership that includes the north-south and south-south transfer of low-carbon technologies, such as solar energy, wind energy, biomass, and geothermal and ocean thermal energy sources.

In general, the convening of the summit in Trinidad and Tobago provides an unprecedented opportunity for Caribbean leaders to present their unique perspectives on these issues to leaders and peoples of the hemisphere and, indeed, the world.

Caribbean leaders know better than anyone else the many challenges that small size, thin economies and markets, and fragile ecosystems present. They know only too well, the ways in which these inherent vulnerabilities can complicate development planning processes and limit their ability to cope with external shocks such as those embedded in the current crisis. And they know too that their development prospects are at even greater risk from a changing climate and a depressed global economy. The opportunity offered by the summit to forcefully articulate these challenges is in my view, priceless.

Stronger OAS

The summit also offers an excellent opportunity for the Caribbean region to take a fresh look at its role in hemispheric relations and to move more aggressively to build solid economic, cultural and other relations with its Latin American neighbours.

All of this will produce without any doubt a stronger and more effective OAS.

With expertise in critical areas such as energy, sustainable development, governance and human development, the OAS is uniquely positioned to play an effective role in shaping a new hemispheric development order.

I am not just hopeful but convinced that if the great opportunities arising in Trinidad and Tobago are taken, much better times are ahead for the people of our hemisphere.

The convening of the summit in Trinidad and Tobago provides an unprecedented opportunity for Caribbean leaders to present their unique perspectives on these issues to leaders and peoples of the hemisphere.