On Wednesday, the President Michel Martelly, left the country, for Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the 34th Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in Port of Spain, from 4 to 6 July 2013.

This 34th meeting coincides with the 40th anniversary of the founding of this great community, July 4, 1973, in the city of Chaguaramas (Trinidad and Tobago).

The Head of State will attend the meeting alongside three special guests: Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chairman of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Danilo Medina, President of the Dominican Republic, and Nicolas Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The latter proposes to discuss with the leaders of the CARICOM of the establishment of a five-year strategic plan for the region.

At this assembly chaired by Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago the main themes to be discussed are :

The economic situation of the Member States and the region : A framework for growth and regional development ; transportation in the region ; the reform process of the Community and its progress ; the proposal for a high-level meeting on disabled people living with special needs ; the requests of status of members and associate members of the Community ; the Protocol recognizing the unique economy of States of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in the context of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas ; the Regional Agenda for Information Technology and Communication (ICT) and the development of Post 2015 of the United Nations ; Priorities and prospects for CARICOM ; the situation in Turkey and Caicos Islands ; border issue ; the confirmation of the date for holding the 25th Intersessional Meeting of CARICOM and the Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the independence of the Commonwealth of Bahamas.

The Bureau of the Conference is currently composed of Kamla Persad Bissessar, President pro tempore (for 6 months) of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of CARICOM, Michel Martelly, outgoing President and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, next President.

HL/ HaitiLibre