Curaçao becomes an Associate Member of CARICOM
Key Points(5)
- Curaçao has been warmly welcomed into the Caribbean community as the country was officially admitted as the sixth Associate Member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
- CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett expressed enthusiasm for Curaçao’s membership, stating that the organization looks forward to the active engagement of its newest member.
- Prime Minister of Curaçao, Gilmar Pisas, emphasized that Curaçao’s membership in CARICOM will not interfere with its commitments within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, just as the relationship between other Associate Members and the UK does not compromise their regional commitments.
- Prime Minister Pisas highlighted Curaçao’s cultural ties to the Caribbean, noting that the country’s cultural identity is deeply linked to the region’s rich historical heritage.
- He affirmed Curaçao’s dedication to CARICOM and the shared goals of its members.
Curaçao has been warmly welcomed into the Caribbean community as the country was officially admitted as the sixth Associate Member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett expressed enthusiasm for Curaçao’s membership, stating that the organization looks forward to the active engagement of its newest member.
Prime Minister of Curaçao, Gilmar Pisas, emphasized that Curaçao’s membership in CARICOM will not interfere with its commitments within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, just as the relationship between other Associate Members and the UK does not compromise their regional commitments.
Prime Minister Pisas highlighted Curaçao’s cultural ties to the Caribbean, noting that the country’s cultural identity is deeply linked to the region’s rich historical heritage. He affirmed Curaçao’s dedication to CARICOM and the shared goals of its members.
“By joining CARICOM, we affirm our commitment to work together in the interest of the collective values and aspirations that bind us as small island developing states in the Caribbean region,” Pisas said. “We bring to CARICOM a unique blend of cultural traditions, economic strengths, and social perspectives that will hopefully enrich the community as a whole.”
Pisas also emphasized the importance of economic integration within CARICOM. He noted that Curaçao’s strategic location, ports, and well-developed services could serve as a hub for regional trade. By investing in connectivity and logistics, Curaçao aims to streamline the movement of goods and services across the Caribbean, boost economic activity, and create jobs throughout the region.
Curaçao initiates trade negotiations
To demonstrate its commitment to regional trade, Curaçao has initiated negotiations with the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, with plans to start talks with Suriname. These negotiations aim to establish mutually beneficial trade agreements that will take effect once Curaçao’s membership in the World Trade Organization is finalized.
Curaçao is also committed to supporting CARICOM initiatives in areas such as renewable energy, new forms of agriculture, digital technology and telecommunications, human capital development, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
The other five Associate Members of CARICOM are Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This announcement was made during the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Grenada, where Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell assumed the role of CARICOM Chairman from outgoing Chairman, President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
