The officials are in the Cuban capital for an event called by the Andres Bello Agreement, an intergovernmental organization founded in 1970 to promote common actions in education and contribute to the equitable and sustainable development of its member countries.

In the inaugural session on Thursday Venezuelan Education Minister Aristobulo Isturiz urged for joint efforts to defend sovereignty in today's globalize world.

The outgoing president of the education minister's grouping also outlined the urgent need for mechanisms to strengthen friendship and solidarity in the struggle against those that attempt to destroy the identity of nations.

Cuban Education Minister Luis Ignacio Gomez spoke to the gathering about the difficult and increasingly complex situation of education in Latin America. He recalled that there are over 40 million illiterates in the region.

Ana Milena Escobar, executive secretary of the Andres Bello Agreement, -currently made up of Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela and Cuba- referred to the commitment and political determination required to consolidate the organization.

The meeting of the education ministers concludes its sessions at Havana's Hotel Nacional on Friday.

By: Periodico26