– discusses measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic

FOREIGN AFFAIRS and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, on Thursday, participated in the XX Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held within the framework of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
During the virtual meeting, the foreign ministers discussed measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as efforts aimed at the revitalisation of the regional body to further benefit Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries.

In a brief intervention, Minister Todd stated that “developing states, such as Guyana, value our engagement in groupings like CELAC, since it is our view that it could play a critical role as a multilateral forum to promote greater partnerships with third world states and groupings”.

The foreign minister also acknowledged the challenges faced by Mexico, the current Pro Tempore President (PTP), whose tenure coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He lauded Mexico’s ability to aggressively execute an agenda that, not only emphasises effective scientific research and development but also pursues innovation, which included a wide range of plans that includes an initiative to produce and distribute a vaccine aimed at benefitting the region.
Further, the attending foreign ministers echoed the sentiments of Foreign Minister Todd and applauded the initiative of Argentina and Mexico in conjunction with Astra Zeneca Company, the University of Oxford, with support from the Carlos Slim Foundation, aimed at producing and distributing a COVID-19 vaccine for the region.
Additionally, the ministers discussed the Regional Clinical Study on Dermatological Conditions associated with COVID-19, and the establishment of the CELAC Network of Specialists in Infectious Agents and Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases, as a useful platform for sharing best practices and the development of new areas.
The foreign ministers also discussed the importance of regional food security, the need for further developments in technology and innovation, and the improvement of health care within the region.

Launched in 2011, CELAC functions as a regional mechanism for political dialogue and cooperation between 33 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. CELAC has helped to deepen dialogue within the region in areas such as social development, education, nuclear disarmament, farming, culture, finance, energy, and the environment.