The Dominican Republic is hosting heads of states and governments of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for the bi-annual summit of the regional inter-governmental organization in Punta Cana from 24-25 January 2017. CELAC promotes regional integration and development.
The organizer of the event, the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) of the Dominican Republic under Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas has confirmed the attendance of Evo Morales, Bolivia; Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia; Raúl Castro Ruz, Cuba; Rafael Correa, Ecuador; Salvador Sánchez Cerén, El Salvador; David Granger, Guyana; Enrique Peña Nieto, México; and Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua; Juan Carlos Varela, Panamá; and Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela. From the Caribbean, the acting President of Haiti Jocelerme Privert, the President of Dominica Charles A. Savarin, the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, and the governor general of Antigua & Barbuda Rodney Williams have confirmed their attendance to the summit on Wednesday, 25 January 2017.
During the summit, the temporary presidency of the regional block that the Dominican Republic has held for the past two years will be passed to El Salvador.
During the summit, the focus will be on food security, migration and development and the global drug problem. The heads of government and state will also be discussions on nuclear disarmament, gender issues, advancement of women, funding for development, return of Guantanamo to Cuba, need to put an end to the trade block against Cuba, the Las Malvinas conflict, saving indigenous languages, sustainable health systems, and the 20-30 agenda, among others.
The opening event is set for 7pm on Tuesday, 24 January at the Gran Teatro of the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort with the keynote and welcome address by President Danilo Medina.
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Ministry of Foreign Relations
El Caribe
24 January 2017
