UNESCO organized, in cooperation with the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, a Sub-Regional Seminar for Secretaries-Generals of the Caribbean National Commissions for UNESCO from 21 to 23 May 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. The objective of the three-day event was to update National Commissions on a range of developments affecting the Organization, share experiences and best practices, and prepare the group for the upcoming General Conference.

18 National Commissions from the Caribbean and Canada attended this event, organized for the first time in a larger format, putting together Member States belonging to the Kingston and Havana clusters as well as to the Office in Haiti. The seminar was opened by the Honorable Lisa Hanna, Minister of Youth and Culture of Jamaica, and Mr Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information.

The participants had an opportunity to exchange views and share experiences on a number of important issues, such as the outcome of the Tripartite Working Group for enhancing UNESCO’s cooperation with National Commissions, and the Comprehensive Partnership Strategy for UNESCO and its various stakeholders,  as well as the Participation Programme and good practices on raising the visibility at country level. Separate presentations on the preparation of the 37^th session of the General Conference and on Procedures and Guidelines to establish National Commissions for UNESCO in Member States, their functions and capacity building were followed by active discussions and share of good practices.

The Government of Anguilla sent a representative to this seminar. This Caribbean island expects to become an Associate Member of UNESCO at the 37^th session of the General Conference in November 2013.

The participants agreed to enhance their interaction with UNESCO Kingston Office and coordination and cooperation among themselves, especially before and during the upcoming General Conference.