What is coming up? by Caroline Anstey

Many thanks for the comments and feedback we received on the first edition of the WB newsletter Caribbean News.  One of the suggestions that was made was for a better sense of what is upcoming in the Region.  In that regard, I am pleased to be able to inform you that the Dominican authorities, the World Bank and the IDB will be launching the Dominican Republic Poverty Assessment Report, in Santo Domingo from June 7 to 9.  The launch will include a press conference, media interviews, roundtable discussions with representatives of youth groups, academia and community based organizations.  The press release and report will be posted on our website on June 8. You will be able to find it at www.worldbank.org/LAC and www.bancomundial.org.do

Also coming up this month, we will join other multilateral and bilateral organizations in St. Kitts for the 25^th Anniversary of the Treaty of Basseterre which founded the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).   On June 21, we and other donors will meet with OECS Heads of Government to discuss the new Economic Union Treaty, and how best to leverage and coordinate external assistance for further economic integration in the region. Click here for more information.  

Following the inauguration of President Rene Preval, the international community and the Haitian authorities convened in Brasilia on May 23 to discuss the results of the Interim Cooperation Framework, and how to move forward to support the country’s economic and social agenda.  The Brasilia meeting will be followed by a High level Ministerial Meeting and Pledging Session to be held in Port-au-Prince on July 25, 2006.  You will find here the Brasilia Final Communiqué in French and English.

I would like to thank those of you that have sent us comments on the first issue of Caribbean News and I look forward to receiving more feedback from you in the future.

Caroline