THE GOVERNMENT of Chile pledged “continuing development support” for the Caribbean Community during a just- concluded official visit to the South American Republic by CARICOM’S Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque.In what is viewed as the strengthening of friendship, the President of Chile, Michele Bachelete, and Secretary General LaRocque reviewed progress in the advancement of the “Plan of Action” that guides technical cooperation arrangements between the 15-member Community and the government in Santiago.
LaRocque stressed CARICOM’S deep appreciation for Chile’s “meaningful efforts at cooperation” and also extended the Community’s sympathy to President Bachelet for the tragic loss of life and property resulting from the recent fires in the Valparaiso area.
Accompanied by Assistant Secretary General for Foreign Affairs and Community Relations, Ambassador Colin Granderson, La Rocque also took the opportunity for an update from the Assistant Director General of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation, Raoul Benitez, on next month’s 33rd Regional Agriculture Conference scheduled for Santiago from May 7-9.
Among major issues to be addressed are: “governance for food security and nutrition”; “challenges for sustainable development and adaptation to climate change” as well as the “repositioning of family farming” based on work done by the FAO and the Economic Commission for Latin America. (RS)