The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr Edwin Carrington, and his counterpart at the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Mr Simon Molina Duarte, will sign a cooperation agreement on Thursday 13 November at the CARICOM Headquarters in Georgetown.

In broad terms the agreement will see both agencies work closely together and cooperate with each other and hold consultations on issues of common ground; have a reciprocal arrangement with regards to invitations to meetings and conferences; participate in each others meetings and exchange information and documentation.

The Caribbean Community was accorded the status of founding observer in recognition of its efforts in the establishment of the ACS and the contribution it is expected to make to the fulfillment of its objectives.

The 25-member ACS, which includes countries of the Caribbean, Central and South America, was founded in 1994 and has its headquarters in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The ceremony, at which both Secretaries General are expected to speak will begin at 2 p.m.