UN: CELAC NATIONAL COORDINATORS PLAN UPCOMING FORUMS

United Nations, September 26 (PL)- The National Coordinators of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CLACS), a pro-integration bloc of 33 countries, began its sixth meeting here, with an agenda that includes preparations for its upcoming forums.

Under the pro tempore presidency of Cuba, officials also planned to analyze the Havana's report on the activities of the CLACS or, CELAC in spanish, in the last five months, and international projections of the organization, which was founded in December 2011.

According to the meeting agenda outlined at the 68th UN General Assembly, the CLACS national coordinators will evaluate the conditions for holding meetings on Science and Technology (October in Brazil), Drug Addiction (October in Chile) and Energy (by the end of October in Jamaica).

They will also review the preparations for a fora on Integrated Natural Disaster Risk Management (late October in Cuba), Family Farming (November in Brazil), Prevention and Fight against corruption (November in Bolivia) and Finance (November in Ecuador).

The one-day meeting will also address the report of the Presidency Pro Tempore of Cuba, a document that includes the activities of the CLACS between May 1 and Sept. 15, including activities that were held on Social Development and Eradication of Poverty, Nuclear Disarmamen, and Migration.

During the 68th UN General Assembly, the CLACS will also hold a meeting of foreign ministers and another of its so-called Expanded Troika, consisting of Cuba (current president), Chile (outgoing president), Costa Rica (which will assume presidency in 2014) and Trinidad and Tobago (which chairs CARICOM).

The CLCS is planning to approach other nations and regional blocs, such as China, Japan, Turkey, South Korea and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, a meeting which was held on Tuesday.

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