PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar is expected to begin two days of high-level bilateral talks on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York from today.
This includes a meeting with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, before returning to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday morning.
Persad-Bissessar is leading Trinidad and Tobago’s delegation to the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, with her programme featuring a series of diplomatic, economic and regional engagements aimed at strengthening the country’s international partnerships.
The meeting with Rodríguez is expected to be one of the most significant engagements of the Prime Minister’s visit as Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela move to rebuild relations and advance cooperation in areas including energy, trade, agriculture, security and economic development.
Persad-Bissessar had confirmed ahead of her departure that arrangements for the meeting had been finalised.
Meanwhile, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers participated in the 26th Special Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) yesaterday. The meeting brought together Caricom foreign ministers as the region coordinates its diplomatic positions during the high-level week at the United Nations.
Sobers said his participation formed part of Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to advance its national interests while strengthening collective Caribbean diplomacy.
“I am currently participating in the 26th Special Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in New York, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly,” Sobers stated in a social media post. “As Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, I remain committed to advancing Trinidad and Tobago’s interests while working alongside our Caricom partners to strengthen regional cooperation and collective diplomacy.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s participation at this year’s UNGA carries added significance as the country prepares to take up a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Packed diplomatic agenda
Monday’s engagements included a breakfast meeting on advancing global cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure, followed by the 26th Special Meeting of COFCOR.
The delegation’s programme also included a Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) meeting of foreign ministers, attended by Morris, as well as a working lunch involving the foreign ministers of the incoming five members of the United Nations Security Council.
Trinidad and Tobago also moved to expand its formal diplomatic footprint with the establishment of diplomatic relations with North Macedonia.
A bilateral meeting was also held between the foreign ministers of Trinidad and Tobago and the Philippines, while an Air Transport Agreement was signed between Trinidad and Tobago and Panama.
On Monday, Persad-Bissessar also held a bilateral meeting with the President of Ghana, during which an Air Transportation Agreement was signed, further advancing efforts to improve connectivity and strengthen relations between Trinidad and Tobago and the African continent.
Attention will now shift to Persad-Bissessar’s bilateral engagements over the next two days, particularly her meeting with Rodríguez.
Trinidad Express
