Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
Association of Caribbean States (ACS) : A regional sub-grouping of Caribbean, Central American and South American countries, constituted to act as a forum for consultation, concerted action and cooperation among the territories of the Caribbean basin. It is a free trade organization, also created for the purpose of lowering tariffs, increasing economic integration and encouraging trade. Its stated objectives are to: Harness, utilize and develop the collective capabilities of the Caribbean region to achieve sustained cultural, economic, social, scientific and technological advancement; Develop the potential of the Caribbean region through interaction among member states and with third parties; Promote an enhanced economic space for trade and investment with opportunities for cooperation and concerted action, in order to increase the benefits which accrue to the peoples of the Caribbean from their resources and assets, including the Caribbean Sea; Establish, consolidate and augment, as appropriate, institutional structures and cooperative arrangements responsive to the various cultural identities, developmental needs and normative systems within the region. The idea of an ACS was first agreed upon at a special conference of CARICOM Heads of Governments in Trinidad, in October 1992. This was seen as a mechanism to advance both economic integration and functional cooperation with the other Caribbean basin countries. At subsequent CARICOM and Central American Ministerial Conferences and Technical Meetings, the idea was further clarified, with the Convention to set it up being signed in Cartagena, Colombia on 24 July 1994. The first conference of ACS Heads of State was held in Trinidad and Tobago from 16-18 August 1995. The membership of the ACS is comprised of the countries of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and other Central, South American and Caribbean countries which border the Caribbean Sea. Membership includes Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela
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