Prime Highlights
- UAE expressed interest in a broader economic partnership agreement with CARICOM.
- Caribbean ministers agreed to begin exploratory trade and investment framework discussions.
Key Facts
- CARICOM is the regional bloc representing Caribbean nations on trade and political matters.
- The UAE will co-host the UN Water Conference alongside Senegal later this year.
Background
Improvement in economic cooperation between the UAE and Caribbean states is seen following an invitation to participate as a guest in the meeting of the Council of Foreign and Community Relations of the Caribbean Community in Paramaribo, Suriname. The UAE appointed Omar Shehadeh as Envoy to the Caribbean and Pacific States, representing the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, to attend the conference where issues on trade, investment, renewables, and climate change were deliberated upon.
During the talks, the UAE expressed its intentions to forge an all-inclusive economic cooperation pact with CARICOM. In response to this, Caribbean foreign ministers expressed their willingness to initiate exploratory discussions regarding the possibility of developing a trade and investment agreement with the UAE.
The issue of climate change adaptation, energy transitions, and water security played an important role during the negotiations, and the UAE announced cooperation prospects before the UN Water Conference, which the Emirates is going to host with Senegal. The discussion took place against the backdrop of growing instability in international relations.
CARICOM ministers also reaffirmed solidarity with the UAE following recent drone and missile attacks on the country, condemning strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure.
On the sidelines of the summit, Shehadeh held separate meetings with senior officials from Suriname, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and The Bahamas. The UAE said the visit signals deepening diplomatic and economic engagement between the Emirates and the Caribbean region.
