ACS must confront threats to Caribbean Sea

Addressing the 19th Inter-sessional Preparatory Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) on November 11 in Port-of-Spain, Moses suggested that all ACS members should “share a commonality of purpose and a sense of urgency with regard to the need to address threats to the sustainability of the Caribbean Sea.

Such threats include the emergence of the sargassum seaweed, the overpopulation of the lionfish, and deleterious impact of coastal erosion.

He acknowledged the contribution of the ACS has made in highlighting the situation pertaining to the Caribbean Sea. Reiterating Trinidad and Tobago’s solidarity with the Government and people Haiti following the devastation left by by Hurricane Matthew in early October, Moses called on ACS members to “render support to Haiti, thereby, sharing what we have with our brothers and sisters in that sister republic.” He welcomed Dr June Soomer, the new Secretary General of the ACS, who assumed duty on July 28, and wished her a fruitful and enjoyable stay in TT.

The Ministerial Council comprises Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 25 Member States as well as Associate Members. It is the principal organ for policy-making and direction of the association, and oversees the work of the directorates in the areas of trade and external economic relations, sustainable tourism, natural disaster risk reduction, budget and administration, and the Caribbean Sea Commission.