BELMOPAN, Mon. May 10, 2021– Last week the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Belize, Eamon Courtenay, chaired the 24th annual Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of CARICOM.
The meeting was held on May 6 and 7. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister discussed the need to strengthen regional bilateral relations and committed to intensifying the frequency of interaction among reps of the member nations. They also held discussions centered on the strengthening of relations with hemispheric and multilateral players.
A press release stated, “Additionally, foreign ministers considered several issues of paramount importance for the region inclusive of the challenges to public health and food systems and the economic and social disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
They also discussed the threat of climate change and the upcoming COP26 Climate Change Conference.
“On the margins of the 24th COFCOR, Minister Courtenay moderated a call between CARICOM Foreign Ministers and Mr. Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States of America. CARICOM Foreign Ministers and Mr. Sullivan discussed COVID-19 vaccines, economic recovery, climate change, and regional security,” the release stated.
The members of the Belize delegation were Amalia Mai, CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Lawrence Sylvester; Ayesha Borland, Director of International Affairs; and Foreign Service officer Amaris Leal.