CELAC-China Forum provides a roadmap for collaboration – Min. Todd

The meeting was held under the theme “Planning Together for the Development and Revitalization, Building Together a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future”. Member States of CELAC and China reaffirmed their commitment to the continued strengthening of political dialogue and cooperation.

During his intervention, Minister Todd noted that the CELAC-China Forum provides a roadmap for collaboration and alluded to the collective vision in advancing prosperity, sustainability, and equity. The Minister further noted the value of the partnership of community in view of a shared future that delivers tangible benefits for the peoples of the region.

Minister Todd added that Guyana remains committed to sustainable development and is moving ahead with its Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 which is the cornerstone of efforts geared towards economic growth with emphasis on both traditional and renewable energy cooperation.

He noted that the diversification of Guyana’s energy mix has presented avenues for enhanced partnerships in solar, wind, hydropower, and emerging technologies like green hydrogen.

Additionally, the Minister stated that, like many developing countries, food security remains a priority to Guyana. “The focus on agriculture cooperation resonates deeply with Guyana’s vision of becoming a food security hub within the Caribbean region.” Minister Todd further elaborated on the CARICOM 25 by 2025 initiative, coordinated by Guyana to reduce the food import bill by 25 percent. Encouragingly, CARICOM has already achieved a 70% reduction rate in this food initiative and is optimistic that by 2030, the region will fully realise the goal of food and nutrition security.

In conclusion, the Meeting noted the tenth anniversary since the CELAC-China Forum’s establishment.

Over the past ten years, both sides have achieved fruitful results in bi-regional cooperation, based on the principles of sovereign equality, respect, plurality, openness, and mutual benefits through joint efforts and South-South cooperation. In this context, the Member States reiterate their commitment to consolidate the CELAC-China Forum as a platform for expanding bi-regional cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean and the People’s Republic of China.