News

New York, 22 September 2025 – The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) marked a historic milestone at the United Nations Headquarters with the first High-Level Dialogue between its Ministerial Council and Observers. This unprecedented exercise created a formal space for exchange, enabling Member States and Observers to share perspectives, explore initiatives, and strengthen cooperation across regions.

ACS Secretary-General, H.E. Noemí Espinoza Madrid, described the meeting as transformative, noting that it “marks an unprecedented milestone in the history of the ACS… opening direct exchanges with those who, from other regions of the world, recognise the Greater Caribbean as a strategic partner, is a fundamental part of our revitalisation.”

She also highlighted the essential role of Observers, whose contributions of knowledge, financing, and global networks have been vital in implementing projects and shaping the ACS’ long-term planning.

At the center of this renewal is the ACS Strategic Plan 2025–2035, a decade-long roadmap currently under development. The Plan is designed to be both visionary and practical: it sets clear impact results with measurable indicators, outlines strategies to support Member States and partners, incorporates accelerators such as digitalisation and innovative financing, and strengthens institutional capacities in people, processes, technology, and partnerships. Importantly, it integrates accountability and evaluation mechanisms to ensure progress remains transparent and responsive to the evolving needs of the Greater Caribbean.

“The Plan is grounded in a clear vision: a united and resilient Greater Caribbean that empowers its communities, protects our shared sea, and promotes sustainable and inclusive development, with equality and dignity at its core,” said the Secretary-General.
Building on this vision, the ACS Secretariat is now advancing the second phase of the planning process. This stage is designed to ensure that the perspectives of Member States are fully reflected in the final roadmap. With informal consultations scheduled for November and December, the final document is expected to be submitted for consideration and approval at an extraordinary ministerial meeting in January 2026.

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, H.E. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, in his capacity as Chair of the ACS Ministerial Council, praised the spirit of collaboration and expressed gratitude to Member States and Observers for their valuable participation, underscoring that the exchange reaffirmed their shared commitment to the common goals that unite the Association.Closing the session, Secretary-General Espinoza Madrid reaffirmed the ACS’ broader mission: “The Greater Caribbean 

has much to contribute to the planet, and the ACS is the vehicle to make it happen. That is our strategic commitment, but above all, it is our historic responsibility to our peoples.”

About the Association of Caribbean States

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1994 through an international convention, with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation, and concerted action among the countries of the Greater Caribbean. It currently comprises 25 Member States and 10 Associate Members, and is guided by the principles of multilateralism, respect for sovereignty, and a unity that values the diversity of the Greater Caribbean region