The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Caribbean Group recently discussed the scope for closer cooperation between the two organisations when Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Armstrong Alexis welcomed the General Manager of the Bank’s Caribbean Group, Mr. Anton Edwards, for a courtesy call.
The discussion centred around the alignment of the strategic priorities of CARICOM and the IDB’s One Caribbean Strategy, as well as previous cooperation between the IDB and the CARICOM Secretariat, on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
Dr. Alexis noted Member States’ focus on climate change mitigation, adaptation, compensation for loss and damage and underscored the importance of efficient, affordable and timely resource mobilisation to build resilience and sustainable development.
He also highlighted CARICOM’s emphasis on ensuring that the United Nations Damage and Loss Fund is properly capitalised and for its governance and operational arrangements to prioritise the needs of small, vulnerable, States like those in CARICOM.
Deputy Secretary-General Alexis also discussed CARICOM’s efforts to build human and social resilience, underlining the gender dimensions of climate change, the empowerment of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups as areas for national and regional action.
Previous cooperation between the IDB saw the Bank supporting regional financial projects in capital market development, fiscal sustainability and trade expansion.
