The first Inter-American meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities concluded today in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Held under the auspices of the Organization of American States (within the framework of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development - CIDI), the historic two-day meeting was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Colombia, a founding member of IFACCA. The meeting was attended by delegates from 24 countries from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. Delegates unanimously agreed to a Declaration and a Plan of Action, both of which acknowledged the role of international organizations such as UNESCO, the Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos (OEI), the International Network on Cultural Policies and IFACCA, for their role in fostering dialogue and strengthening cultural cooperation. More details, including news of the potential establishment of an Inter-American Cultural Policy Observatory, will be provided in upcoming issues of ACORNS. News and information from the Organization of American States can be found at;www.oas.org.