PRIME MINISTER BRUCE Golding has pointed to an urgent need for a comprehensive analysis of the way global institutions operate, and has underlined his support for the reform of international institutions, whose frameworks were established over 50 years ago.

"It is not that these multilateral institutions have not themselves changed, but I don't think that their core functions and the mandate that they see for themselves have sufficiently taken into account the new realities that exist," Golding told Commonwealth TV during a visit to the Commonwealth Secretariat's headquarters in London last week.

"The world has changed and circumstances have changed," noted Golding, adding that "we need a broader look and a more comprehensive analysis of the deficiencies (of these institutions.)"

three-part focus

The need for reform of these institutions will be discussed by some 12 Commonwealth heads of government who are being brought together by Commonwealth Secre-tary General Kamalesh Sharma in London next month. The mini-summit will be chaired by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The meeting will focus on practical steps which Commonwealth member states can take to achieve the reform and coherence of global institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Its three-part focus will be on the international financial institutions, global environmental governance, and the United Nations' system.

The mini-summit is the first step in implementing the decision of the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, at which leaders decided to establish a small representative group from their 53-member association to undertake lobbying and advocacy for the reform of international institutions.

"I am particularly concerned that middle-income countries like Jamaica, which are not classified as extremely poor, but at the same time have not yet got to the stage where they are at that point of take off to sustainable growth, are not factored into the general scheme of things," observed Golding.

"There are provisions for very poor countries and there are requirements or expectations of rich countries. Those of us in the middle tend to be marginalised in terms of the agenda," he added.

During their first meeting in London since Sharma took over as Commonwealth secretary general, he and Golding discussed their shared belief of the importance of international institutions being reformed.

environmental governance

"Some of today's key international institutions, established more than half a century ago, are not aligned to the way that the world has changed. Meanwhile, in areas like environ-mental governance, there are gaps in the architecture of international organisations, which must be filled," said Sharma.

"There is a need for change, and that change must reflect the full global spectrum of interests and needs. International institutions must support an inclusive and comprehensive globalisation, which benefits the entire global community," he added.

The current global food crisis faced by the world and the impact it is having on Commonwealth countries was also discussed by Sharma and Golding at their meeting.

Food security

Both held the view that multi-lateral organisations should respond to the problem with a sense of real urgency. They noted in particular, the adverse effects of the crisis on Commonwealth small states, which already suffer from inherent vulnerabilities.

"Food security is perhaps the most important item on the agenda of any country anywhere in the world," stated the Jamaican prime minister.

"We must recognise the impact which this is having on our people; the extent to which it is undermining them in terms of their standard of living; and, the extent to which it may be eroding gains that individual countries have made."

With regard to the new trading negotiations, known as economic partnership agreements (EPAs), which members of CARICOM are expected to sign in July, Golding admitted that "in every trading arrangement, there are dangers, but there are also opportunities".

He argued that countries would improve trading relations and increase their global competitive-ness by going out and seeking these opportunities for themselves.

"This is not something we need to do for the sake of EPAs. It is something we need to do for the sake of our own future," he claimed.

"If we are to take our place in the world, and if we are to provide for our people with a standard of living that they deserve, then there is a great deal of work we have to do."

Golding then looked ahead to next year and pledged Jamaica's support to Trinidad and Tobago as it prepares for the next biennial Commonwealth heads of govern-ment meeting in November 2009.

"It is not so much an honour for Trinidad and Tobago as it is an honour for the entire CARICOM region, and we are proud to share the honour with Trinidad," Golding said.