Above: ECLAC’s headquarters in Santiago (Photo: ECLAC)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean will host its 34th Session in San Salvador, El Salvador in August, following an agreement signed Tuesday.

The host agreement, which was signed by El Salvador Foreign Secretary Hugo Martinez and Hugo Beteta, director of the Sub-Regional Headquarters of ECLAC in Mexico, contains the commitment of both agencies for a “successful organization” of the event.

“This meeting, apart from being the most important event in ECLAC’s biennial cycle of activities, is especially relevant in El Salvador, as it will be the first time in history that the Session, an event that has taken place since 1948, is celebrated in the country,” Martinez said. “Therefore, this is a commitment we are very honoured to take on.”

The Session will revolve around three major topics: macroeconomics for development, small economies and the results or effects of the economic crisis.

ECLAC will present a document during the Session focused on structural policies necessary to promote economic growth in the region by increasing jobs and equality.

Around 400 delegates, including Foreign Ministers, Ministers of Economy and Trade fro more than 50 member states are expected to attend from Aug. 27 to 31.