Notícias
Secretary-General of ACS visits ABC headquarters to strengthen development cooperation between Brazil and the Association
- ACS Ambassador visits ABC headquarters
The meeting marks the progress of negotiations aimed at strengthening cooperation actions in the region, with the goal of optimizing the use of human resources from Brazilian institutions and expanding the positive impacts of joint initiatives.
Ambassador Ruy Pereira suggested to the Caribbean diplomat that the parties work on cooperation with a focus on fewer projects, but with greater impact and of different sizes. The Ambassador agreed with the proposal, adding that the alliance with Brazil is reflected in concrete results. “The link with ABC is very important because of the Agency's experience in carrying out projects, as well as its knowledge in mobilizing resources for issues that are very important for the region,” he said.
Sargassum
One of the topics discussed by the diplomats during the meeting was how to deal with the problem of sargassum, a type of seaweed that has been polluting Caribbean coastlines, affecting tourism and public health in the region. ABC and AEC are negotiating a cooperation agreement to develop productive and commercial alternatives for the use of this biomass, transforming an environmental problem into an economic opportunity.
Sargassum is the name given to a species of brownish seaweed found in tropical waters. In addition to visually ruining beaches known for their turquoise hues, sargassum has a strong odor and can cause eye irritation and headaches. The sargassum infestation also jeopardizes tourism, an important economic sector for Caribbean countries.
The Secretary-General told the Director of ABC that the project “Alternative products and commercial uses of sargassum” was a strategic priority, given the urgent nature of the problem. “We could also make a presentation on this initiative during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 30,” he added.
Cooperation
Cooperation between the entities gained momentum after ABC participated in the 37th ACS Special Committee meeting in October 2023, when the Agency shared its project monitoring and evaluation practices. In April 2024, ACS representatives visited ABC to identify priority areas for collaboration, such as natural disaster management, ethnic equity and sustainable tourism. And in January 2025, during Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, the Basic Technical Cooperation Agreement between Brazil and the ACS was signed with Secretary General Noemi Madrid.
ACS
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), the ACS is an organization focused on consultation, cooperation, and combined action in areas such as trade, transportation, tourism, and natural disaster response.
It currently has 25 member states, namely: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. There are also three associate members, as well as observer and partner countries. Brazil is an observer country of the Association.
- Ambassador Ruy Pereira and Ambassador Noemi Espinoza Madrid
- ACS Ambassador visits ABC headquarters