Cuba to take over pro tempore presidency of the Association of Caribbean States

Cuba will take over the pro tempore presidency of the ACS (Association of Caribbean States) this year. This organization was born in 1994 in Colombia and its main goal is to identify and promote consultation, cooperation, and concerted actions among all countries from the Caribbean.

Sustainable tourism, trade, transportation, and natural disaster are also part of the agenda of the member countries of the bloc, which also includes other nations as observer and associated.

According to the member states, the organization has revitalized in the last five years and has worked hard and with optimism to achieve a real integration among all its members.

Cuba will work with the same enthusiasm as head of the ACS. In the words of some executives of the organization, it has advanced notably in recent years in the struggle against the climatic change as some of its member states are vulnerable to such global threat.

Cuba will be certainly of great help for the rest of the countries. The archipelago has a strong Civil Defense, whose work has been highly praised by international bodies. Cuba’s Meteorology Institute is also effective.

In present days, the bloc has two fundamental lines to face climate change. The initiative is being named SHOCK. 16 countries, Cuba among them, work to strengthen the system of early warning in cases of hurricanes and tsunamis.

The initiative, indeed, takes into account training actions, skill improvements and equipment, the latter provided by Finland —country having an avant-garde technology in the field.

Four million dollars will be invested in a program recently inaugurated in Mexico. Eleven islands will be linked to the UN geospatial information system.

There are no doubts Cuba will take over with enthusiasm and responsibility the task of heading the bloc. Alfonso Munera —ACS Secretary-General— stated “Cuba is an enthusiastic and unconditional ally of the organization goals and perfectly understands the potential of ACS to implement strategic programs in the Caribbean area”.

Cubasi Translation Staff