(Caribbean Community Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – CARICOM’s efforts to tackle critical sustainable development challenges have gained support through cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany.
On 1 July 2025, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and Germany’s Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Dr. Christophe Eick, signed and exchanged diplomatic notes formalising cooperation in six areas including the circular economy, sustainable energy, biodiversity conservation, the Blue Economy, and capacity building for employment in emerging ‘green and blue’ sectors.
This strategic collaboration aims to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate-sensitive waste management, climate-resilient energy supply, and the sustainable use of biodiversity and marine resources.
The initiative will also include support for technical assistance, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder training, particularly in tourism and agriculture, promoting innovative and circular approaches to development.
In the energy sector, this CARICOM-Germany partnership aims to enhance long-term strategies for transitioning to green energy, encourage investment in renewable projects, and promote decarbonised energy systems throughout the Region.
Similarly, biodiversity and ecosystems will be positioned as key contributors to sustainable development, with the CARICOM Secretariat positioned to receive support to help Member States implement the Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy.
Efforts to develop the blue economy are also expected to be advanced through initiatives focused on Marine Protected Areas and enhanced public-private cooperation for sustainable coastal development. It is anticipated that complementary training programmes will address skills gaps in the education sector, equipping the regional workforce with qualifications needed for employment in green and blue industries.
These important initiatives will be coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), further strengthening the longstanding development cooperation between CARICOM and Germany.
