The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have formalised a new cooperation framework aimed at advancing key regional priorities, with the signing of six implementation agreements valued at €31.9 million.
The agreements were signed on April 23 at the Secretariat’s headquarters in Georgetown, marking a major step in activating a broader technical cooperation arrangement between CARICOM and Germany. The partnership stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2025.
CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett, who signed on behalf of the regional body, welcomed the continued collaboration, describing the programme as strategically aligned with the Community’s development goals.
GIZ Regional Director for the Caribbean Jasmin Ellis-Jones signed on behalf of Germany and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to delivering measurable outcomes through close coordination with regional and national partners.
The six projects, set to run from 2025 to 2029, will be implemented by GIZ on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in collaboration with CARICOM institutions and member states.
They include initiatives focused on biodiversity conservation (CARIBIO), climate-compatible circular economy development, expanding the blue economy in marine protected areas, organic waste and sargassum utilisation (BioWaste), sustainable energy supply (CliRES II), and climate-focused skills training under the Green and Blue Skills Project.
According to CARICOM, the programmes will target member states through efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, support policy development, roll out pilot initiatives, and expand skills training, while promoting inclusive and gender-responsive approaches to sustainable development.
Germany’s partnership with the Caribbean has long centred on renewable energy, climate resilience and environmental management, with technical cooperation dating back to 2008. Officials say the latest agreements represent a significant expansion of that relationship.
The framework establishes the operational basis for project execution and underscores a shared commitment by CARICOM, Germany and GIZ to promoting sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth across the region.
