Social Security Board to Host Two International Gatherings

(Belmopan, May 26, 2006)  The Social Security Board will be hosting the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Regional Conference for the Americas and the Seventeenth Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Social Security at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel from May 29th to June 2nd, 2006.

The Regional Conference for the Americas, being held on May 29, 30 and 31, will see the participation of over 100 delegates, representing the South American, Central American, North American, and Caribbean regions.  In addition, representatives from the International Labor Organization and the International Social Security Association, both of which are based in Switzerland, will be in attendance.  The Conference will cover topics related to the extension of health protection and social protection for migrant, indigenous, and native populations.

The Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Social Security is an annual gathering representing the CARICOM Region, but which also has representation of international umbrella organizations that work with the issue of social protection.  It will be held on June 1st and 2nd, 2006, and will delve into topics such as the implications of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) on Caribbean social insurance schemes and the implementing of a performance monitoring system for Social Security organizations.  The last CARICOM Heads of Social Security meeting was held in the British Virgin Islands in July 2005.

The Official Opening Ceremony of the ISSA Conference takes place on Monday, May 29, 2006 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM; while the official opening of the CARICOM meeting will be held on June 1, 2006 from 9:00 to 9:30 AM.  Members of the Media are invited to attend the opening ceremonies of these meetings.

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