Antigua Guatemala, by Veylin Herrera -AGN- During a special ceremony in Antigua Guatemala, authorities kicked off the Seventh International Cooperation Conference of the IX Summit of Heads of State of the Association of Caribbean States -ACS-.
The authorities stated that this meeting focused on a major step towards building bridges for the integration of the Greater Caribbean region.
Mario Búcaro, Minister of Foreign Affairs -Minex-, stressed that Antigua Guatemala was the meeting point from May 8 to 12 as part of the functions assigned to the country as Chair of the ACS Ministerial Council 2022-2023.
In addition, the meeting aimed at establishing agreements as a follow-up to the last meeting in Havana, Cuba, and presenting plans for cooperation between the States.
Minister Búcaro stated that the summit was an opportunity to eliminate the barriers that divide nations. Therefore, the meeting set goals that support the recognition of the region’s potential at the international level.
This week was significant as we took a decisive step towards consolidation for the construction of bridges in the Greater Caribbean region,” said Minister Búcaro.
He also stressed that the presence of the 25 member countries represented a commitment to strengthen ties of cooperation and friendship.
Summit Agenda
The work agenda included a dialogue on topics such as:
- Transportation
- Trade
- Tourism
- Disaster risk reduction
- Support for small and medium-size enterprises
- Public-private partnerships
- Maritime transportation
- Institutional strengthening
- Migration
- Green and blue agendas
These topics are part of the interests that all countries have in common for regional projection.
In addition, these topics are considered in the cooperation line that the ACS pursues to start with the International Cooperation Catalog of the Association of Caribbean States, which will allow the creation of good practices.
Guatemala Commitment
The Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted Guatemala’s commitment to continue working closely to strengthen the country’s bilateral relations.
He underscored, “I want to reaffirm Guatemala’s commitment to continue collaborating in this important partnership and highlight the moment we are living to generate the necessary economic, political, and environmental conditions.”
The member states thanked Guatemala for promoting the work of the ACS regionally and internationally.
Finally, at the end of the plenary session and the summit, Guatemala passed the association chair to another country to continue working for the benefit of the nations.
