The Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO), headquartered in Panama since 2008, stated in a release that these issues were the focus of deliberations at a meeting in Willemstad, led by Senator Fergino Brownbill, President of Parliament of Curacao; PARLATINO President Rolando Gonzalez; and Leo Cato, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Grenada, among other prominent figures.

Gonzalez emphasized in his remarks that this working group represents a historic opportunity to echo the voice of the Caribbean.

He also underscored the importance of addressing shared challenges such as strengthening triangular cooperation, energy issues, the climate crisis, and the food challenge, among others.

Gonzalez, who is also a Cuban legislator, noted that this Commission is a significant contribution to regional integration and can become an ethno-political body that serves as a bridge to consolidate the relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean, giving visibility and voice to the entire region without necessarily requiring membership in PARLATINO.

The opening ceremony of the PARLATINO’s Special Commission for the Caribbean included FAO presentations on the work of the Parliamentary Front against Hunger, the current state of nutrition, the progress and impact of climate change, and environmental problems in the Caribbean.

jdt/iff/mem/ga