The Tribune

AUSTRALIAN High Commissioner Philip Kentwell will be visiting the Bahamas in the next few months as he makes his farewell tour of all CARICOM member states.

He has held the post for more than three years, during which time Australia and CARICOM, through Mr Kentwell, have been working together to reduce poverty, enhance sustainable development and build people-to-people links.

Resident in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the High Commissioner is accredited to all CARICOM member states.

“The Australia-CARICOM relationship is stronger than ever,” Mr Kentwell said. “For example, the Australian government has committed 60 million Australian dollars over four years to help tackle the challenges facing the Caribbean region. Australia’s long development relationship with its Pacific partners has provided useful experience for Australia in helping others to overcome the vulnerabilities of small island states.”

According to the Australian Consulate, in both regions, adapting to climate change and reducing disaster risk are high priorities.

In the Caribbean, Australia is supporting efforts to manage these threats through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre and the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency, as well as community initiatives that respond to climate change.

“It is a little known fact, but Australia and the CARICOM are home to the two largest stretches of coral reefs in the world,” Mr Kentwell said, “and so we both share a strong interest in coral reef preservation and protection. Drawing on its expertise in coral reef and marine management, Australia is working collaboratively with the Caribbean to preserve these threatened habitats”.

Education and sporting links are also expanding, the Ambassador said.

With 90 Australia Awards scholarships offered to the region in the last three years, Australia is enabling Caribbean students to make strong contributions to their societies in fields such as engineering, agriculture, health and sports administration.

Caribbean diplomats are receiving training through a joint initiative of the Australian National University and the University of the West Indies. And the youth of the region are learning life-skills and leadership through the Australia Sports Outreach Programme.