PORT OF SPAIN: 25 JULY 2021
Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, just concluded an official visit to Mexico City, Mexico to attend the 21st Meeting of Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) which was held on July 24, 2021. This Ministerial Meeting reviewed the work of the CELAC group under the stewardship of the Pro Tempore Presidency of Mexico over the last eighteen months, and exchanged views on the relevance of the group and priorities going forward as well as each member’s priorities.
Minister Browne and other participating Ministers underscored the significant, beneficial South-South cooperation within the CELAC framework and coordination of common regional and international issues. Equitable and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines, economic revival and mitigating climate change were the priorities identified by the Community. While COVID-19 influenced activities and discussion, the hosting of the Ministerial in-person and the participation by thirty-two of the thirty-three member states is a testament to the progress being made by the region in managing the implications of the pandemic.
Minister Browne took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Panama, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela to discuss ongoing bilateral initiatives and hemispheric developments. He also held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba on progress toward approval of a range of Cuban COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, Minister Browne held a meeting with executives from the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) to discuss trade and investment opportunities between Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico, and met separately with CEMEX company representatives.
