Workmen are seen putting down the final touches
for today’s opening of the Summit Village at
Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.
PHOTO: JENNIFER WATSON

With four days to go for the start of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, Mariano Browne, says all stakeholders are working together “to get everything right.” Browne, who is also Trade and Industry Minister, made this comment during a visit to the Summit Village at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. The Summit Village is being organised by 2009 reigning bandleader Brian Mac Farlane. The theme of the Summit is “Securing Our Citizens Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability.”

The kiosks which are intended to showcase all aspects of T&T heritage and culture are expected to be opened at midday today. Browne said: “We are moving along onstream. We have to do test runs to ensure we get everything right. We will be opening the booths tomorrow (today). “We still have to work out the details of the schedules...We will be working out the specific details,” he added. Browne said the Secretariat would be meeting with civil and private sector groups tomorrow. Prime Minister Patrick Manning had echoed a similar sentiment that the Summit should come off flawlessly. Speaking to reporters at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain, last Thursday, Manning had said they were the most elaborate preparations the country had ever seen.

He said the Government had gone out of its way to ensure everything went smoothly. “We recognise that much is riding, not just on a successful conference but the success of small countries in the developing world,” he said. Browne said history would be created when US President Barack Obama attended the summit. Also expected are 34 heads of state from various Latin American countries. “It will be the first summit for Obama,” Browne said. “We are expected to engage in talks with Latin American leaders...We will be looking at developing better economic linkages.”

Trade talks with Canada

Obama is scheduled to lead a 1,000-strong delegation, including Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. On Friday, Browne confirmed Obama’s call to Manning which was made made on Thursday. He said he was unable to give any further details of the conversation. Browne said they were also looking forward to engaging in trade talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He said he was unable to give any further details of the conversation. “The talk will revolve around trade deals with Canada...Trade is an important item,” he said. “More importantly, since it is the first time a summit of its kind is being held here, it will give us an opportunity to showcase our organisational skills.

“Because of colonisation and the ill effects like genocide and spread of disease, Caribbean people lost an opportunity to showcase their organisational skills." He cited cities built by the Inca, Mayan and Aztec civilisations as example of the sophisticated architecture known to those First Nation Peoples. “The wheel has already been invented...This is an opportunity to showcase our skills at scheduling, engineering and people skills,” Browne said. He also said the benefits derived from hosting the summit would help us “move forward in the future.”