Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray and Economy Secretary lldefonso Guajardo took part in the 19th Pacific Alliance Council of Ministers meeting today in Mexico City.
The meeting was chaired by Colombia, as Pro Tempore President. The ministers addressed the negotiations with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore for Associate State status and they approved the Council of Ministers regulations, among other issues. In addition, Undersecretary of Finance and Public Credit Miguel Messmacher presented the progress made by the Alliance's Finance Ministers over the past year.
The meeting focused on reviewing the progress made on the Alliance’s 2030 Strategic Vision and on preparations for the 13th Summit, which will be held in Puerto Vallarta from July 23-24 and include a meeting of the Council of Ministers with the Trade Ministers of the candidates for Associate State status; a business meeting; working groups with the observer countries and a meeting with Mercosur representatives.
The Council of Ministers also approved the applications of Belarus, United Arab Emirates and Serbia as Observer States, bringing the current total to 55 observer countries.
Altogether, the Pacific Alliance countries have a population of 225 million people, a GDP of USD 3.8 billion, or 38% of Latin America's GDP, and 50% of its global trade.