At a media event on February 26, 2008, the Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago officially unveiled the logo for the Fifth Summit of the Americas to be held in Port of Spain in April 2009. As the theme for the Fifth Summit, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has chosen: “Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”.  The host government has also made available its preliminary concept paper, which “provides an initial expression of the key issues and strategic initiatives” it is advancing for the next Summit.  National Coordinator and Special Envoy to the Americas of Trinidad and Tobago, Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodriguez, convened a meeting of the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) in Tobago February 28-29, 2008 to discuss the key issues included in the paper.  The SIRG, which comprises the national coordinators of the 34 member states, is the primary political body, accountable through Foreign Ministers for the monitoring of implementation of Summit mandates as well as for making preparations for the next Summit.

The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, will address a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council on April 9, 2008, presenting the final concept paper for the Fifth Summit of the Americas.  It is anticipated that the host government will subsequently present a draft Declaration of Port of Spain for consideration at the next SIRG at Ministerial Level meeting to be held within the framework of the OAS General Assembly in Medellín, Colombia, June 1-3, 2008.