Press Releases

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (November 26th 2014) - The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will convene the 17th Intersessional Preparatory Meeting of the Ministerial Council on December 1st, 2014 in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Honourable Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will address representatives of the Member and Associate Member Countries of the ACS, as well as Founding Observers, Observer Countries and Social Partners during the meeting’s opening ceremony. Also contributing to the panel of speakers delivering introductory remarks are H.E. Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala and H.E. Alfonso Múnera, Secretary General of the ACS.

The principal objectives outlined for the meeting include an examination of cooperation projects approved by the VI Summit of Heads of State and/or Government of the ACS which was held in Merida, Mexico. With respect to this, Mr. Juan Manuel Valle Pereña, Executive Director of the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AMEXCID) will inform on advances made in the following projects: Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management, Caribbean Territorial Information System, International Transit of Goods and Short Distance Maritime Transport. These projects are being coordinated in conjunction with the respective Directorates of Trade and Disaster Risk Reduction.

During the meeting’s proceedings, the Chair of the Caribbean Sea Commission (CSC) will issue a Report on the work of the CSC. The aim of the CSC is to function as the structured mechanism, which works to gain recognition for the Caribbean Sea as a special area within the context of sustainable development. Matters scheduled for discussion in this area include a brief on the activities of the CSC since the last Ministerial Council Meeting held in February 2014.

Additionally, the Meeting will explore the implementation of the Work Programme of the ACS and dialogue on the Work of the Special Committees and the Special Fund. In this regard, the Chairmen of the Special Committees will present reports on Disaster Risk Reduction, Trade Development and External Economic Relations, Transport, Sustainable Tourism and the Council of National Representatives of the Special Fund.

The 17th Intersessional Preparatory Meeting of the Ministerial Council will conclude following preparations for the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the ACS Ministerial Council and a synopsis of conclusions and outcomes of the meeting will be presented.