The Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Rodolfo Sabonge, participated in the 3rd Meeting of Caribbean Carnivals held in Barranquilla, Colombia on 28-29 September 2023. This meeting brought together world experts in innovation and representatives from various organisations to discuss Caribbean festivals and their impact on the region's economy.

In his speech, the Secretary General referred to this impact, highlighting the transformation process that the Carnivals have undergone, evolving from a cultural event to an industry. Secretary Sabonge explained how the ACS has broadened its vision to focus on the orange economy, also known as the creative economy, of which Carnivals and cultural festivals are a part.

Secretary General Sabonge expressed the ACS' commitment to collaborate in strengthening this industry, announcing that the Association is working on a project called 'Framework for Strengthening the Orange Economy in the Greater Caribbean' which will be submitted this year to the ACS Special Committee on Sustainable Tourism.