Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698831033417.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Science, Technology and Innovation, June 26- 27, 2023, Caracas Venezuela.
On June 26-27, 2023, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in its capacity as the Pro Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) collaborated with the Sectoral Vice-Presidency of Science, Technology, Education and Health of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to convene the in person CELAC Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Science, Technology and Innovation in Caracas, Venezuela.
This meeting signaled the first step towards the creation of a Latin American and Caribbean Centre for the Development of Science and Technology (CELAC (S&T) which will provide a space for specialised dialogue undertaking a solidarity and cooperative approach that promotes the exchange of knowledge and scientific activity.

Accordingly, this will translate to a regional articulation to solve common problems, respecting values, ethical principles and the preservation and conservation of the planet.

Dr.
The Honourable Ralph E Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Pro Tempore President of CELAC along with His Excellency Nicolas Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterated the importance for the region to position itself as a scientific, cultural, political and economic power in the process of building the Latin American and Caribbean identity in their addresses to the twenty-three Member States and other representatives from regional organizations present at the meeting.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was also, represented by a four-member delegation headed by the Honourable Curtis King, Minister of Education and National Reconciliation who articulated the universality of science and technology in bringing together diverse parties (politicians, scientists and technicians) to craft practical solutions to the most critical problems facing our communities.
He further echoed the need to be assertive, be bold, be visionary and championing our causes; and to develop strategic alliances with those who can be our advocates as we lay the platform for the catapult of our developmental agenda.

Indeed, we must apply sound technological principles to addressing the needs of our people, to improving livelihood and production, to design therapy for prevalent diseases affecting our communities, to mitigate against climate change and to buffer against future crises.
Several working groups were created to address thematic areas including: sustainable food/food sustainability, health/transmissible and non-transmissible diseases, space capabilities, mitigation and adaptation to climate crisis, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, scientific and technical trainings of talents and ancestral knowledge.