This city activated its routines and became more alive with the presence of the heads of state and government who will debate until Wednesday on crucial aspects for the country and this region with 16 million indigenous, African, Indian, European, Chinese, Portuguese and Javanese citizens.
Among the heads of government arriving at midday to attend the opening of the conclave at 5:00 p.m. (local time) are Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi; and the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves; and Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.
Also already in Guyana are the heads of government of St. Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew; Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley; Granada, Dickon Mitchell; Montserrat, Easton Taylor-Farrell; Barbados, Mia Mottley; and Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.
Antiguan President Browne said before his arrival that the four-day meeting will discuss important issues such as the serious humanitarian and security situation in Haiti and plans for the T/20 Cricket World Cup, an event the region will host in June.
The Antigua and Barbuda Authority added that the regional leaders will also discuss the border issue between Guyana and Venezuela and the demarcation claim between Belize and Guatemala.
The dialogues – Browne added – include discussions with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, special guest of the meeting; and the head of the Inter-American Development Bank, Ilan Goldfajn.
The agenda also includes exchanges with Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir; and with the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem al Hashimy.
Other topics on the agenda include climate change and the finances to combat it; a report from the Prime Minister's Subcommittee on Reparations; and the update on the situation in the British Virgin Islands.
The sessions will also address issues such as the status of the Caribbean Court of Justice Trust Fund; Developments in the Middle East, including Israelis in Gaza; and the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda in May.
The meeting, which begins this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. (local time), will take place from February 25th to 28th and will be chaired by the President of Caricom and Guyana, Irfaan Ali, who will deliver the keynote speech at the ceremony. Opening.
The Caribbean bloc consists of 20 countries, 15 of which are effective members and five belong to the category of associated countries. jha/apb