As the international community observes World Oceans Day 2025 on 8 June, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) reaffirms its solidarity and deep commitment to collective action in the sustainable management of our ocean, a vital and expansive natural resource central to the Region’s identity, economy, and future.
In recognition of the importance of sustainably managing its marine resources, CARICOM is advancing the development of a Caribbean Community Ocean Governance Framework, a regional policy initiative aimed at guiding ocean management and maximising the economic, environmental, and social benefits of marine resources.
While the Region has made progress with sustainable management of ocean resources in the past, momentum has been building in Member States to exercise greater care, responsibility, and sovereignty over the Caribbean’s marine and coastal environments. The Community has begun to embrace the tremendous potential of its marine space which, in most cases, is significantly larger than terrestrial territory, but far less is known of its untapped value and potential.
Recognising this, CARICOM and the United Kingdom Government have entered into an agreement to strengthen Ocean Governance in the Region, which came into force on 6 March 2024.
At the opening ceremony ahead of the 118th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on the Environment and Sustainable Development in April 2025, Mr. Alexader Gozney, Climate and Environment Attaché for the Caribbean of the British High Commission, Bridgetown, Barbados noted:
“Halting and reversing biodiversity loss is one of the UK’s top priorities on our international climate and nature work. So, we are delighted to have supported the development of CARICOM’s Natural Resources and Environment Policy Framework and to be supporting the development of a CARICOM Oceans Policy Framework. These policies should build on the good work already taken place to protect and restore ecosystems in the region, while also providing sustainable livelihoods.
The UK recognises the Caribbean’s position as both a biodiversity hotspot, as well as a highly climate vulnerable region, and has been and will continue to support the Caribbean both through global advocacy and programmatic support.”
The Ministers of Environment of Barbados and Belize also reflected on the significance of a CARICOM Ocean Governance Framework at the Special COTED Meeting:
“Barbados notes the significant progress CARICOM has made especially within the discussions on recognizing the vast potential of our marine spaces. We welcome these ongoing discussions while recognizing that even though our marine space is several times larger than our terrestrial space, thus creating avenues for increased financial resources, the special circumstances of SIDS should always be highlighted and not compromised.”- Hon. Adrian Forde, Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Barbados“
“As one of the countries with a marine territory vastly larger than our land mass, Belize fully supports the regional ambition to harmonise ocean policy and create a coordinated governance framework that serves both our economies and ecosystems. We are pleased to see an emphasis on marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and blue skills development — all of which are already underway in Belize through community-based fisheries management and science-policy partnerships.” Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Belize
As the Region observes World Oceans Day, CARICOM stands united in its efforts to develop a cohesive, resilient, and inclusive framework for ocean governance: — one that safeguards biodiversity, fosters sustainable livelihoods, and reflects the unique realities and aspirations of the Caribbean Community.