Approximately 110 delegates from the Americas and other countries across the globe will participate in the four-day Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) General Assembly, to be held in Barbados from April 23 to 26.
Fifty-four delegates will attend the high-level meeting in person, including Secretary General of the International Organization for Standardization, Sergio Mujica, and President of COPANT, Mauricio Céspedes, while the others will participate virtually.
The official opening ceremony and three days of discussions will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, from Monday, April 24. Those delivering remarks at the opening session include Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, and Mr. Céspedes.
There will be panel discussions on climate change, digital transformation, innovation and the circular economy on Monday, while members will meet on Tuesday, April 25, where there will be elections for new COPANT Authorities for the 2023-2025 term, as well as board members for that period.
On Wednesday, April 26, the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) will host a Climate Change Workshop, which will emphasise the role standards play in climate change adaptation and mitigation. In the afternoon, the delegates will be taken on a cultural tour of the island.
Acting Director of BNSI, Haydn Rhynd, stressed the importance of the high-level consultation, saying local technocrats would be presented with the opportunity to engage with global standards experts in the areas to be discussed.
Mr. Rhynd continued: “During the meeting, members will discuss future plans to promote cooperation for the development of standards and conformity assessment procedures according to international practices in the Americas.
“This allows opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, technical assistance and the sharing of experiences among the members. Additionally, the hybrid event will offer multiple forms of engagement and networking, both on site and online.”
The acting Director noted that the COPANT General Assembly coincides with BNSI’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which will be highlighted during the period, with a dinner and awards ceremony.
COPANT is a non-profit civil association with complete operational autonomy. It functions within the current standards environment as a key hemispheric institution, seeking to harmonise standards and facilitate the proper functioning of a free trade area of the Americas. It comprises the National Standards Bodies of the Americas, which has 32 active members and nine adherent members.
Standards are voluntary guidance documents providing methods outlining the best way to achieve a result. They allow for a robust foundation in the development of national and international regulations, saving time and valuable resources, as well as reducing barriers to international trade. Standards are found in almost any area, including manufacturing, managing processes and service delivery.