Margarita island, March 16th, 2018 – the ministerial segment of the XXIII Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States took place in the state of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, on the 16th of March, 2018 and gave continuity to the process of revitalization of the organization.
The "Declaration on the Impact of Disasters in the Greater Caribbean Region" and the "Declaration of Solidarity with the Member States and Associate Members of the ACS affected by the natural disasters occurred in September 2017" were approved.
The participating delegations recognized the role of Cuba, the country that coordinated the Working Group to revitalize the Association, mandated by the VII Summit of the Association held in Havana in June 2016.
Nicaragua was elected as president of the Ministerial Council for the period 2018-2019; while Saudi Arabia and the British Virgin Islands joined the Association the observer countries. The Cuban delegation was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rogelio Sierra Díaz, and also integrated by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Ileana Núñez Mordoche and the Cuban Ambassadors in Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, Rogelio Polanco Fuentes and Guillermo Vázquez Moreno , respectively. This last one, permanent representative of Cuba to the ACS.
Cuba shares the foundational purposes of the Association, to unite in defense of our identity, cultural heritage and common interests, strengthen political coordination and cooperation, and promote sustainable development and the integration of our peoples.