OAS Member States are meeting in Port of Spain this week to finalise the Declaration of Commitment of Port Spain, which would be signed by Heads of State and Government at the Fifth Summit of the Americas.

Chair of the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG), Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodriguez told negotiators that seventy-three (73)paragraphs have been approved and twenty-three (23) paragraphs are still pending further consideration and approval.

The SIRG is the political and negotiating body responsible for coordinating the Summit agenda, follow-up on Summit mandates, and preparing for future Summits.

Ambassador Rodriguez added, today's "meeting represents the final stretch to the Fifth Summit and we now need to focus and make sure that we reach the finish line on a strong and positive note. We owe this to ourselves, to the Summit Process, and most importantly, to the citizens of the Americas".

The Fifth Summit of the Americas takes place from April 17-19 in Port of Spain and leaders of the Western Hemisphere will meet to discuss issues relating to the theme, "Securing our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability".

Ambassador Rodriguez reminded negotiators that the "Draft Declaration is a statement to be signed by all 34 leaders on behalf of all people in the Hemisphere". As a result he said, it "must truly reflect our common voice".

He also stressed to the delegates that it was their duty and responsibility to make this Summit a success.