ACS and CARICOM exchange views on strengthening their collaboration
Bridgetown, Barbados — February 20, 2025 — The Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), H.E. Noemí Espinoza Madrid, held a productive meeting with the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett, within the framework of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Bridgetown, Barbados. The meeting underscored a shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and addressing critical challenges facing the Greater Caribbean.
During their discussion, Dr. Barnett highlighted CARICOM's deep connection to the ACS, reaffirming the organization's crucial role in fostering regional cooperation. Dr. Barnett also welcomed Secretary-General Espinoza Madrid’s vision for the ACS during her tenure and noted that discussions thus far have emphasized the need to build stronger ties with the ACS.
Secretary-General Espinoza underscored the importance of unity, echoing the sentiment expressed during the inauguration ceremony of the Heads of Government of the CARICOM meeting, and highlighted CARICOM's legacy as one of the oldest South-South cooperation organizations in the region.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to future exchanges aimed at strengthening cooperation and ensuring that the outcomes of their dialogue contribute to a more united and resilient Greater Caribbean. This collaboration will be vital as the ACS prepares for its 10th Summit of Heads of State and Governments in Colombia in May 2025, where the organization will define its 2025-2035 Strategic Plan, aiming to enhance its impact and address the region's challenges effectively.
The Association of Caribbean States is the organization for consultation, cooperation and concerted action in trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters in the Greater Caribbean. Its Member States are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Its Associate Members are Aruba, Curacao, (France on behalf of French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin ), Guadeloupe, Martinique, Sint Maarten, (The Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius ), Turks and Caicos.