Port of Spain (February 10th, 2014) – Mexico, in its capacity of Chair of the Ministerial Council, will convene the 19th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) on 14th February, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 9am, with representative delegations expected to be in attendance from ACS Member and Associate Member States; ACS Founding Observers; Observing Countries and Social Actors. 

The Hon. Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf of the host country of the ACS Secretariat, is scheduled to deliver opening remarks, followed by remarks from the Chair, Hon. José Antonio Meade Kuribreña, Chairman of the Ministerial Council and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. Introductory proceedings for the 19th Ministerial Council meeting will close with an address from His Excellency Alfonso Múnera, Secretary General of the ACS.

The meeting, which is held annually, will also seek to elect a new Chair of the Ministerial Council. The Ministerial Council comprises of representatives of Member States and is the principal Organ for policy-making and direction of the Association whose purpose is to identify and promote the implementation of its policies and programmes. The Meeting will provide an update of the activities of the Association as well as approve the Work Programme for the biennium 2014-2015.

Among meeting objectives outlined on the agenda for the 19th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the ACS, are the Reports of the Secretary General and the Chair of the Ministerial Council on last year’s period 2012-2013. Discussions will also be held regarding the hosting for the VI Summit of Heads and State or Government carded for April of this year in Mexico. Mexico, functioning as host country for this year’s Summit, will provide a report on the current state of preparations as it relates to the VI Summit.

The Meeting will be preceded by a one-day Preparatory session scheduled to take place on Thursday 13th February, 2013.