Speeches

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this tenth Meeting of the Coordination Mechanism. Allow me to begin again by expressing the great honor and profound responsibility that it represents to speak to you in this series of statutory meetings, which prepare the important events scheduled for May of this year, in my capacity as Secretary General of the Caribbean States Association. Committing ourselves to serve in order to achieve our collective aspiration of sustainable development and the well-being of the peoples of the Greater Caribbean is a privilege for me, both personally and professionally.

I want to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for this new year, 2025, which marks a significant moment for our Association. This year, we commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the creation of the ACS with the celebration of the thirtieth Regular Meeting of the Council of Ministers and the tenth Summit of Heads of State and/or Government. It will also be a symbolic return to the place where the ACS was founded: Colombia.

This commemoration offers us a valuable opportunity to reflect on our achievements, review our path, and redouble our efforts toward a future in which our region, the Greater Caribbean, becomes a leading, more integrated, and sustainable region.

In this context, we gather today to strengthen the coordination that underpins the success of our Association. This first statutory meeting of the year reaffirms our commitment to creating synergies, maximizing the effectiveness of our actions, and advancing the implementation of the 2022-2028 Action Plan, which is our roadmap toward sustainable development, resilience, and well-being.

Distinguished delegates,

Since the adoption of this Mechanism at the twenty-third Meeting of the Council of Ministers in 2018, we have recognized and highlighted the importance of aligning programs and projects of the Special Committees and the Caribbean Sea Commission. This coordination space allows us not only to review progress and challenges but also to identify opportunities for joint action and to ensure concrete, measurable results.

Today, our discussions will focus on the main activities planned in critical areas such as trade, economic relations, transportation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable tourism, cooperation, and resource mobilization. These areas reflect our strategic priorities and our shared commitment to respond to the needs of our Member States and Associate Members.

This meeting takes place within the framework of the Intermediate Review of the 2022-2028 Action Plan, a crucial opportunity to evaluate our progress, adjust strategies, and strengthen our collective impact. Equally important is recognizing that we are operating in a global and regional context that demands a broad and comprehensive vision, considering the new world order and urgent issues such as climate change, in which our Greater Caribbean must play a leading role.

We have the responsibility—and above all—the opportunity to renew ourselves as an Association. It is essential to ensure that our efforts remain relevant, are strategically directed, and produce effective results. Now is the time to reaffirm our collective commitment and work together to build an Association that responds comprehensively to current and future challenges.

We cannot continue acting as we did 30 years ago. That is why, in the coming months, the construction of the ACS Strategic Vision will be vital to revitalize our actions and allow Member States to reclaim ownership. This Vision will set the necessary guidelines for achieving a Strategic Planning process that guides us over the next ten years.

Dear colleagues,

Allow me to remind you of something that must be fundamental in our daily work: cooperation is the heart and strength of our Association. Without it, achieving our goals would be impossible. Our success in implementing projects, mobilizing resources, and generating a sustainable impact depends directly on our ability to work as a team—within the Secretariat, among the Special Committees, and in close collaboration with our Member States and Associate Members.

For all these reasons, I urge you to strengthen this collaborative spirit and to play your roles as essential actors for the success of the Secretariat and, consequently, of our Association. Your active participation and leadership are crucial to position the Greater Caribbean as a strategic actor on the global scene.

In this regard, it is essential that meetings of this mechanism be held as often as necessary, surpassing the daily rhythm of annual gatherings, to ensure greater agility and responsiveness to the challenges and opportunities of our region.

This space is a driver of collaboration, innovation, and collective commitment, and your contribution inspires the Secretariat to redouble efforts to achieve our shared goals. Today, more than ever, we have the opportunity to turn ideas into strategies and challenges into solutions, strengthening our Association through joint work.

I am confident that this day will be productive and will lead to meaningful progress, turning our aspirations into concrete, strategic actions. I wish you the greatest success.

May it be a fruitful and transformative day of work! Thank you very much.