ACS Secretary General Highlights Regional Connectivity as Key to Sustainable Development at Latin America and the Caribbean-China Development Forum
H.E. Rodolfo Sabonge, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, participated in the Latin America and the Caribbean-China Development Forum, held in Beijing, China, on August 27-28, 2024. This Forum is a powerful platform for strengthening relations between Latin America, the Caribbean, and China.
Secretary General Sabonge delivered a presentation titled “Association of Caribbean States - Regional Connectivity: Key to Sustainable Development” during which he underscored the importance of connectivity as a driving force for sustainable development across the Greater Caribbean. He emphasized that investing in both physical and digital infrastructure is essential for advancing economic integration, trade facilitation, and environmental sustainability within the region.
In addition to his presentation on regional connectivity, Secretary General Sabonge delivered a focused address on the Blue and Circular economies, which are two crucial pillars for the future of sustainable development in the Caribbean. He emphasized the potential of the Blue Economy in safeguarding marine ecosystems and generating economic prospects for coastal communities.
On the margins of the Forum, Secretary General Sabonge also met with Mr. Cai Wei, Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. During the meeting, they explored potential areas of cooperation, with a particular emphasis on two priority areas: enhancing regional connectivity and addressing the growing challenge of sargassum interest in advancing initiatives that would strengthen cooperation ties between China and the Caribbean and contribute to sustainable development and environmental resilience in the region.
The Association of Caribbean States is the organization for consultation, cooperation and concerted action in trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters in the Greater Caribbean. Its Member States are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Its Associate Members are Aruba, Curacao, (France on behalf of French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin ), Guadeloupe, Martinique, Sint Maarten, (The Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius ), Turks and Caicos.