Youth parliamentarian Jawan Jackson expressed support for the aims and goals of a regional economic diversification resolution but abstained from the vote, citing concerns about whether the proposed framework could deliver its intended outcomes.

The debate, convened yesterday by the Eastern Caribbean Youth Parliament Network (ECYPN), brought together youth parliamentarians from across the region to examine opportunities for economic diversification and stronger regional cooperation.

Among those participating were Chrysean Jarvis, Youth Member of Parliament for St. John’s Rural South, and Ezekiel Francis, who served as Prime Minister during the sitting.

The opposition was led by St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) President Jalen Monzac and included Jackson, Mikalah Erskine, Chantae Thompson, Oraine Ashe, Star George and the Leader of the Opposition, Maleah Henry.

Members explored opportunities to strengthen their respective tourism products while developing other industries to support more resilient regional economies. Contributions addressed how regional territories could build on their existing strengths, expand economic opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to external shocks.

Speaking from the opposition benches, Jackson acknowledged that the role was unfamiliar, given his usual service on the government side. He nevertheless emphasised that his purpose remained unchanged: to serve the youth of Antigua.

Throughout his contribution, Jackson distinguished his support for economic diversification from his concerns about the measures proposed to achieve it. He maintained that agreement with the resolution’s objectives required careful scrutiny of whether its commitments could be translated into practical, lasting results.

Jackson questioned whether the Government’s resolution and accompanying action plan sufficiently addressed the obstacles that had affected earlier regional efforts. His concern centred on whether the proposals adequately accounted for past implementation difficulties and provided stronger assurances against their recurrence.

To illustrate his position, Jackson cited several OECS initiatives that he described as incomplete, abandoned, delayed or in need of revitalisation. These included the Eastern Caribbean Tourism Association, the Regional Allocation of Industry Scheme, earlier regional fast-ferry proposals and ambitions for joint overseas diplomatic representation.

He also pointed to missed targets for the free circulation of goods and services and the free movement of labour, alongside unfinished commitments relating to the OECS Customs Union and Economic Union. Other examples raised included efforts to revitalise the OECS Business Council and restructure the expansion of pooled procurement services.

Jackson presented these examples as reasons to examine the proposed framework more closely. His contribution questioned whether the resolution and action plan were sufficiently equipped to overcome the difficulties that had prevented some earlier commitments from being fully realised.

He further contended that several matters addressed during the debate would be better pursued at the CARICOM level, given their wider regional implications. In his assessment, those issues required broader participation and cooperation beyond the OECS framework.

Despite several points of order raised against him during his contribution, Jackson persisted with a fiery debate, pressing his concerns about the resolution and its accompanying action plan before ultimately abstaining from the vote.

Explaining his decision, he reiterated that he expressly supported the resolution’s aims and goals. However, he remained unconvinced that the resolution and accompanying action plan, in their current form, provided a sufficient basis for achieving them.

His abstention placed emphasis on the need to match regional ambition with a framework capable of delivering results, while maintaining his support for economic diversification and greater opportunities for the region’s young people.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Youth Parliamentarian Jawan Jackson Supports Economic Diversification Goals but Abstains Over Implementation Concerns.