XVI INTERSESSIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES

Port of Spain, November 22- The XVI Intersessional Preparatory Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) is scheduled to take place in Mexico City, Mexico, on the 26th of November, 2013.

Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, His Excellency José Antonio Meade Kuribreña will serve in the capacity of Chair to the meeting’s proceedings. Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago have confirmed attendance. Vice Ministers, Ambassadors and representatives from other ACS Member Countries are also expected to attend.

The host country’s Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs will deliver welcoming remarks to the gathering, followed by opening remarks by the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), His Excellency Alfonso Múnera. Outlined on the meeting agenda is the Report of the Chairman of the Ministerial Council; the Report of the Secretary General and the presentation of the Draft Work Programme of 2014-2015.

Meeting objectives also include preparations for the VI Summit of the ACS, which carries notable significance, having been carded to take place on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the ACS. The Inclusion of Martinique and Guadeloupe as Associate Members of the ACS also form part of the agenda for the Intersessional Prepatory Meeting. The meeting promises to be a fruitful undertaking - a review of the period 2013, coupled with renewed drive towards the future and further work in the development of the Greater Caribbean region.

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