(CARIFORUM Directorate, CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – Progress and partnership were the central themes of the meeting of the Programme Management Committee of the 11th EDF Support to Wider Caribbean Cooperation: Regional Technical Cooperation Facility on Monday, September 29, 2025. Officials from the CARICOM Secretariat were joined virtually by representatives of the CARIFORUM troika: Belize and the Dominican Republic.
Opening the meeting, CARIFORUM Director-General Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam highlighted the steady progress of the region’s collaboration and partnership with the European Union (EU). She stressed that any advancement, no matter the scale, marks a step in the right direction. Ms. Downes-Amsterdam noted that despite adjustments to the EU’s funding approach, the Caribbean continues to benefit from the longstanding partnership with the European Union. Her remarks were reinforced by the progress updates presented by officials on the results achieved under the Programme.
The activities and programmes highlighted included the CARIFORUM, French Caribbean Overseas Regions (FCOR) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) Regional Consultation held on 16-17 July 2025, the ongoing University level Internship Programme, and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Coordinator Attachment Programme.
The members commended the internship and attachment programmes, as important initiatives to provide young CARIFORUM professionals with opportunities to strengthen their skills while contributing to regional integration and development.
The gathering concluded with a commitment to continue to support the implementation of the Programme as it enters its final phase.
The Regional Technical Cooperation Facility (TCF) is one of the projects being implemented by the CARIFORUM Directorate, CARICOM Secretariat. It commenced in February 2023 and has an implementation period of three (3) years. The TCF is valued at €500,000, fully financed by the EU.
