(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater, Georgetown, Guyana) – Officials from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Kingdom (UK) recently advanced discussions on CARICOM-UK cooperation on a range of areas in human and social development; foreign policy and trade.
The first meeting of the CARICOM-UK Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism took place in hybrid format at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyanawhere cooperation on health, security, energy, sustainable development, agriculture and CARIFORUM and the UK trade arrangements under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) were on the agenda. The war in Ukraine and in the Middle East, as well as the situation in Haiti part of the discussion.
The meeting was co-chaired by Acting Assistant Secretary-General, Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, Dr. Wendell Samuel and UK Ambassador to CARICOM, Her Excellency Jane Miller.
Dr Samuel (left); Ambassador Miller (R)
In his opening remarks, Dr Samuel underscored CARICOM-UK’s mutual commitment to advancing shared objectives and fostering a more prosperous and resilient Caribbean region.
“The UK’s longstanding development assistance continues to be instrumental in supporting the Caribbean’s sustainable development trajectory,” he stated. “We sincerely appreciate ongoing projects and programmes designed to strengthen economic resilience, promote social inclusion, and enhance environmental sustainability.”
Dr. Samuel expressed CARICOM’s interest in learning more about the UK’s new development programming in the Caribbean, particularly in climate change adaptation and mitigation, renewable energy infrastructure, and human capital development.
Of particular importance to the Community, he noted, was the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which provides a robust framework for enhancing trade and investment flows between the regions.
Expressing the Region’s commitment to the EPA, he said it was interested in maximising its potential and in exploring avenues for deeper economic integration.
In this regard, Dr. Samuel noted that CARICOM welcomed the UK’s insights on promoting trade facilitation, attracting foreign direct investment, and supporting the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Caribbean.
Ambassador Miller lauded the scope and depth CARICOM-UK cooperation in health, security, trade, agriculture, among other areas. As the consultation and cooperation mechanism continues to strengthen the dialogue, she urged both sides to identify specific areas for more focused discussions at the next meeting.
