The 6th International Cooperation Conference of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will conclude Friday in Havana, following the analysis of two years of work to address climate change and regional development.
 
According to its Secretary General Rodolfo Sabonge, the importance of the two-day meeting held in the halls of the Packard Hotel lies in its content: the work carried out by the membership after the approval of the Action Plan and the projects that emanate from it.
 
He told the press that the region is currently grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the inflation left by the war and climate change, for which reason "the ACS must take its place and project itself internationally".
 
Accordingly, the VI Conference will make it possible to evaluate projects to mitigate the effects of climate change, seek ways of economic development through better intra-regional trade integration and improve connectivity, transportation and logistics, he said.
 
In addition, he said, the aim is to "promote sustainable tourism - which was tremendously affected by the health crisis - so that it can take off and improve what we already have.
 
Sabonge mentioned specific initiatives, already in action, that seek to reduce the impact of climate change on coastal erosion, improve the management and administration of waste in the sea and analyze migratory movements due to global warming.
 
On trade issues, other actions are focused on digital transformation and improving connectivity, enhancing the participation of the private sector.
 
Work is also being done on disaster risk reduction through monitoring and early warning systems, he said.
 
The Secretary General especially acknowledged the role played by Cuba as "godmother" of the ACS and said that "one of the reasons why we are holding the event here is that this country has the largest number of international representations in the region, more than 120".
 
To talk about cooperation, he explained, it is necessary to go beyond our 25 member states and 10 associate members, "we must seek links with the rest of the international community that can be partners for development".