ECLAC AND CHILEAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR PRO TEMPORE SECRETARIAT OF THE RIO GROUP

17 septiembre 2010

Fuente: Taken from ECLAC web site<p/>

Santiago, 16 September - The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile signed a cooperation agreement today for the preparation of documents and seminars on issues of the international agenda for the Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Rio Group, currently held by Chile.

The agreement was signed at noon in the Chilean Foreign Ministry by Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno and ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena.

The Rio Group is one of the broadest and most representative mechanisms for political consultation and consensus in Latin America and the Caribbean. Chile has held the Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Group since February this year for the period 2010-2012.

Through this agreement, ECLAC will contribute to the analysis work of the Pro Tempore Secretariat with its expertise in research, training and technical assistance on economic and social development in the region.

The activities in support of the Pro Tempore Secretariat will include the preparation of documents on issues under the domain of ECLAC that are of interest to the Rio Group and its member countries and the organization of seminars, conferences and other academic events on issues contained in the international agenda and the role of the Group and regional institutions.

The cooperation agreement will be in effect until the end of Chile's term as Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Rio Group in 2012.