Havana, March 8 (RHC)-- The First Cooperation Conference of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) began sessions Wednesday at Havana’s Libre Hotel.

The debates focus on the fight against climate change, air and maritime connectivity throughout the Caribbean.

During a press conference Tuesday, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra confirmed these and other issues will be on the table and pointed also to  tourism development and trade.

Sierra also mentioned the air and maritime connectivity work program entitled “Uniting the Caribbean by Air and Sea”, which he said documents maritime route maps of the area, currently in its fifth stage of development; a port and maritime strategy, and short distance maritime transportation.

Minister Sierra said that a series of projects featured within the association’s Action Plan, agreed upon at the bloc's 7th Summit held last year, will also be fully debated during the event.

The First ACS Cooperation Conference is being attended by representatives from member states, observer nations and other countries, as well as by officials with United Nations programs and funds.

The Conference is organized by the General Secretariat and Cuba, in its capacity as the rotating president of the ACS’s Ministerial Council.