However, generating the skills base to support competitive production in CARICOM States can be compromised by the existence of several social issues which threaten to erode the gains achieved in human development in the Region. These include the continuing prevalence of HIV, notwithstanding the decline in the rate of new infections; the high incidence of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs); obesity; significant levels of poverty especially among women; increasing crime; adolescent pregnancy; drug abuse; violence and injuries; as well as gender-related concerns, such as violence against women and poor participation and performance of males in education. These issues must continue to remain in the forefront of social development strategies in CARICOM. Additionally, crime and insecurity, which rank high among the principal threats and obstacles to social and economic development in CARICOM, rob societies of creative potential and energies and cause resources to be redirected to non-productive activities. Social development strategies should therefore address the reduction in the incidence of illegal trafficking in drugs and small arms and light weapons; rising crime against persons and property - especially youth on youth and gang violence, criminal deportees, corruption and cybercrime. Other major threats to the sustainable economic growth and social development in CARICOM Member States are climate change and natural disasters. While the Region is prone to natural hazards, over the last decade there has been increased exposure to these events due to the effects of climate variability and change. These events have affected entire populations causing severe hardship and dislocation. They have also damaged or destroyed critical physical infrastructure such as airports, ports, telecommunications facilities, roads, coastal protection structures, hospitals and schools; and major productive sectors, such as agriculture and tourism. This requires repeated disaster-related expenditure in infrastructure and in the productive sectors. Natural disaster management is therefore of critical importance to the Region. As it relates to climate change, CARICOM States contribute less than 1% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but are expected to be among the earliest and most impacted by climate change. These impacts include more frequent weather events; sea level rise which will magnify the impact of storm surges and waves in coastal areas; water shortages; and weakened protective eco-systems like coral reefs and mangroves. Climate change has been described as an existential threat to small-island and low-lying coastal states. Analysis has shown that the 6|P ag e