(CARIFORUM Directorate, CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – CARIFORUM States are steadily advancing work under the Support to CARIFORUM in the effective implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, Regional Coordination on Trade and EU Cooperation Programme.
This Programme requires National EPA Coordinators to meet quarterly to, inter alia, monitor implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA). The most recent progress update was provided at the 13th Meeting of National EPA Coordinators and Heads of Implementation Units, convened virtually on Thursday, 11 September.
Chaired by Ambassador Dr. Gerard Jean-Jacques, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica to CARICOM and Commissioner to the OECS, the meeting offered officials an opportunity to assess implementation gaps and determine the way forward.
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador underlined that meetings of this nature were designed to review action steps in EPA’s implementation and to chart next steps for deepening cooperation. CARIFORUM Director General Alexis Downes-Amsterdam echoed these statements and reminded officials of the need to keep implementation arrangements on track.
Officials reported on measures being taken to address implementation gaps and agreed on concrete actions for the period ahead. An update was also provided on the inaugural meeting of the support Programme’s Steering Committee, held on 25 June 2025, with discussions focusing on the outcomes of that session and on ensuring that the programme contributes meaningfully to EPA implementation and to broader regional trade and cooperation efforts.
Participants also underscored the need to address outstanding issues and to continue working in partnership with the EU to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the Agreement.
