The 6th International Cooperation Conference of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will begin this Thursday in the Cuban capital to promote integration and solidarity among the countries of the region.
 
The meeting, which will be held over two days, will have as its central theme The Greater Caribbean united towards economic recovery and sustainable and safe tourism.
 
According to the Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, the main idea of the event is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the United Nations, which each country has adapted to its medium-term development plans.
 
In this regard, during an intervention in the television program Mesa Redonda, he commented that the conference will receive representations from the 25 ACS member countries and also from observer nations.
 
Ministers, foreign ministers and leaders of international organizations, such as the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People's Trade Treaty, will participate, he said.
 
From his perspective, the meeting will not only allow to agree on positions, but also to attract the attention of the developed world, observer countries and international organizations that can participate with donations and cooperation projects in the region.
 
"Cuba's vision -and that of the countries of the Greater Caribbean- of promoting cooperation and doing so with a vocation for solidarity will be the main protagonist of this meeting," Malmierca said.
 
The meeting will place particular emphasis on an Inclusive Agenda for Sustainable Tourism, which includes the sustainable use of biodiversity, environmental conservation and natural resources.
 
It will also position the central role of women, youth, indigenous peoples and Afro-Caribbeans in the area's objectives, as well as the special needs of people with disabilities.
 
Accordingly, 23 foreign experts and seven Cuban experts will debate in panels on topics such as climate change, disaster management, tourism, transportation and trade.
 
Also, as part of the planned activities, the ACS will sign memorandums of understanding with Segib and the Central American Maritime Transport Commission.
 
The ACS is the organization for consultation, cooperation and concerted action in the area of trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters in the Greater Caribbean.