During a special act in Antigua Guatemala, the authorities began the Seventh International Cooperation Conference of the Ninth Summit of Heads of State of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).
Mainly, the authorities reported that this meeting is taking place under the idea of A firm step towards consolidation in the construction of bridges for the integration of the Greater Caribbean region.
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In this sense, Mario Búcaro, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minex), highlighted that Antigua Guatemala will be the meeting point from May 8 to 12.
This, as part of the functions assigned to the country by being in charge of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the ACS 2022-2023.
In addition, this meeting seeks to establish agreements that follow up on the last meeting in Havana, Cuba.
There, cooperation plans between the States were presented.
According to the foreign minister, this meeting presents an opportunity to eliminate the barriers that divide nations.
In this way, goals will be outlined that support so that the potential of the region can be seen at the international level.
We have called this week a firm step towards consolidation for the construction of bridges in the Greater Caribbean region, Búcaro mentioned.
In addition, he stressed that the presence of the 25 member countries represents the commitment to seek to strengthen the ties of cooperation and friendship.
#EnDirecto | Opening of the VII International Cooperation Conference of the Association of Caribbean States #AEC @IXCumbreAECGT. #IXCumbreAEC
— Guatemalan Government (@GuatemalaGob) May 8, 2023
Topics to be discussed at the ACS Summit
As part of the work agenda planned for this week, dialogue on topics such as:
- Transport
- Trade
- Turismo
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Support for small and medium enterprises
- Public-private partnerships
- sea transport
- Institutional strengthening
- Migration
- Green and blue agendas
All this is part of the interests that all countries have in common to have a regional projection.
In addition, these issues are contemplated in the line of cooperation that the ACS seeks to start with the International Cooperation Catalog of the Association of Caribbean States, which will allow the creation of good practices.
Guatemalan Commitment
Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro highlighted Guatemala’s commitment to continue working hand in hand to strengthen the country’s bilateral relations.
I want to reaffirm Guatemala’s commitment to continue collaborating in this important association and also highlight the moment we are experiencing to generate the necessary economic, political and environmental conditions, he pointed out.
Likewise, on behalf of the member states, they thanked Guatemala for promoting the work of the ACS at the regional and international level.
In this way, at the end of the plenary session and the Summit, Guatemala will pass the presidency of the association to another country, to continue working hand in hand for the benefit of the nations. [Tomado de AGN]