The Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation yesterday participated in the Second South American Meeting of Dialogue Between Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence chaired by the Pro Tempore Presidency .

The Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation yesterday participated in the Second South American Meeting of Dialogue Between Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence chaired by the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Brasilia Consensus Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs the Honourable Luis Gilberto Murillo and Minister of Defence the Honourable Ivan Velasquez. The meeting was attended by representatives of all twelve countries on the continent of South America.

The meeting was focused on peace, regional and international security, and cooperation in defence industries.

Minister Todd, in his intervention, underscored the need for greater resolve across the continent to better harness collective efforts to promote sustainable peace and development. He pointed out that threats to security and stability of the region have become increasingly complex and multifaceted and can only be confronted through enhanced cooperation and coordination underpinned by adherence to international law.

The Acting Chief of Defence Staff Captain (Coast Guard) Vernon Burnett also give remarks during which he noted that the Brasilia Consensus offers a strategic foundation for establishing a regional cooperation framework that enhances the joint development of innovation and dual-use technologies in the defence sector. He further outlined several initiatives, including the forming of a specialized task force to facilitate collaboration among Defence Ministries and industry experts.

The Brasilia Consensus is a political regional integration mechanism formed following the meeting of the Presidents of the countries of South America in Brasilia in May 2023.

November 6, 2024