It is anticipated that in February 2024, the temporary president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) will be handed over from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to the republic of Honduras, located in Central America.
The statement was issued by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves on the 21st of August, a Monday.
In July, the Central American nation, which has a population of 9.7 million, was chosen to assume the pro tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in 2024. This decision was made during the summit between the European Union (EU) and CELAC, which took place in Brussels.
The third summit between the blocs was held in Brussels over a span of two days, from July 17 to July 18, 2023, under the presidency of St. Vincent, who now serves as the president of CELAC.
According to Gonsalves, a total of thirty-three (33) heads of state and government, accompanied by their respective delegations, are expected to convene in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the official handover of the presidency.
“Imagine an event like that representing 650 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will place SVG higher on the map. The many cultural activities that would take place would benefit artists greatly”.
According to the Foreign Minister of Honduras, Eduardo Enrique Reina, the assumption of the president of Celac holds significant importance for the country. This development signifies the acknowledgment and appreciation of President Castro, her leadership, and her diplomatic engagements with leaders from Latin American and Caribbean nations.
Reina highlighted the significance of Honduras assuming the pro tempore president of Celac, emphasizing that it marks a noteworthy milestone for the country.
Following the culmination of the 2023 European Union-Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-CELAC) Summit, a collective statement was released by the participating nations of the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) and the European Union.
The nations collectively resolved to “facilitate an enriched exchange of ideas and cultivate widespread interpersonal interactions.” It is reiterated that via collaborative efforts as independent entities, we may enhance our collective strength and improve our ability to tackle the diverse range of challenges and issues prevalent in our current day. These include but are not limited to food insecurity, poverty, disparities in both domains, interruptions in supply chains, and the escalation of inflation.
Paragraph three of the declaration articulates the commitment to collaborate in order to alleviate the detrimental impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, taking into account the varying conditions of each nation.
The statement establishes a framework for collaboration between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and countries of the European Union (EU) to advance and engage in joint efforts towards shared development objectives.
The deal resulting from the CELAC discussions conducted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to enhance the country’s position as a developing diplomatic force in the global south.
