The UAE’s growing cooperation with Caribbean states was highlighted at the 29th Regular Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Omar Shehadeh, Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Caribbean and Pacific States, represented the UAE at the meeting, which brought together Caribbean foreign ministers to advance cooperation across sustainable energy, infrastructure development, digital transformation, innovation, and people-to-people exchange.
The UAE participated as a special guest, underscoring its expanding diplomatic presence in the Caribbean region and its focus on building structured, results-oriented partnerships.
A key focus of discussions was the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) model, with 36 agreements already concluded globally.
The UAE expressed interest in a similar framework with CARICOM to strengthen institutional trade relations and expand investment flows between both regions.
In response, CARICOM foreign ministers agreed to initiate exploratory discussions on a potential trade and investment framework aimed at enhancing structured economic cooperation and delivering tangible benefits for member states.
The UAE also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting CARICOM priorities at upcoming multilateral platforms, including COP31, particularly in the areas of climate finance, renewable energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure.
Image via WAM | Cropped by GBN
The UAE highlighted its experience as host of COP28 and its Net Zero 2050 agenda as a foundation for cooperation with small island developing states facing climate vulnerabilities.
Further discussions focused on coordination ahead of the UN Water Conference, which the UAE will co-host with Senegal in December, with both sides emphasizing the importance of Caribbean participation in shaping global water governance frameworks.
The COFCOR meeting took place amid broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty, with ministers focusing on strengthening regional partnerships and adapting to shifting global trade and security dynamics.
On the sidelines, Omar Shehadeh held bilateral meetings with several Caribbean leaders, including Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of the Republic of Suriname, along with foreign and trade ministers from Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, and The Bahamas.
