Cooperation in Action '20

COOPERATION IN ACTION COOPERATION AS AN INTEGRATION MECHANISM IN THE GREATER CARIBBEAN

WHAT’S INSIDE: -OBSERVING THE GREATER CARIBBEAN 6 OBSERVERS | 4 regions | 4 YEARS

-ACS Cooperation strategy -INITIATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES

The Caribbean Sea

Tulum, Mexico

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA www.acs-aec.org |

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#ACS #AEC

ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES

COOPERATION IN ACTION COOPERATION AS AN INTEGRATION MECHANISM IN THE GREATER CARIBBEAN

cooperation n development cooperation is activity that aims to: 1. Support national or international development priorities.

2. Is not driven by profit. 3. Discriminates in favour of developing countries. 4. Is based on cooperative relationships that seek to enhance developing country ownership. [2016 ECOSOC Development Cooperation Forum Policy Brief]

ABOUT THE ACS The Association of Caribbean States is an organisation for consultation, cooperation and concerted action in the Greater Caribbean.

The Organisation’s work is focused on: disaster risk reduction; sustainable tourism; trade, transport & external economic relations; and the protection of the Caribbean Sea.

MEMBER STATES

Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, France (in respect of French Guiana and Saint Barthélemy), Guadeloupe, Kingdom of the Netherlands (in respect of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius), Martinique, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands (inactive).

FOUNDING OBSERVERS

Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Latin American Economic System (SELA), Central American Integration System (SICA), Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), Caribbean Tourism Organisation CTO).

OBSERVER COUNTRIES

Argentina, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Korea, Morocco, Peru, Palestine, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

OBSERVER ORGANISATIONS

Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Central American Economic Integration Bank (CABEI), European Union (EU), International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

COVER Photo: Joe Tabacca /Shutterstock, stock photo 4

Contents CONCERTED ACTION

Message from the Secretary General

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Message from the CHAIR OF THE MINISTERIAL COUNCIL

8 cONNECTING THE GREATER CARIBBEAN 10 A CHAMPION FOR WOMEN IN THE CARIBBEAN HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY 10 roadmap to the STZC

Why an ACS? How Do We Work?

COOPERATION

24 25 28

ACS Business Forum 2020

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Observing the Greater Caribbean

11 Tackling Sargassum Together

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RECENT ACS OBSERVERS

15 Greater Caribbean Sargassum Impact Timeline 34

ACS Cooperation STRATEGY

16 Political Commitment to Fight Sargassum

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Caribbean Sea Cooperation THE NEW FRONTIER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 36

CONSULTATION Founding Observers Coordinate Efforts

18 Sandy Shorelines & CARIB-COAST

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THE SECRETARIAT OF SECRETARIATS

20 THE BVI JOURNEY TO THE ACS

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Italy Reactivates Caribbean Connection

22 China & ACS Discuss Policy & Cooperation

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Mutual readiness for cooperation

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25 10 250+ 1

MEMBERS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS MILLION PEOPLE ACS 5

Preface

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL Dr June Soomer

The Fourth Annual ACS International Cooperation Conference is here, and what a journey it has been bringing our myriad and expansive membership to the table to engineer joint development solutions for the Greater Caribbean! The Association of Caribbean States has a track record of regional cooperation and bringing diverse yet equal partners to the negotiating table, that goes back to 1994. As it has done for the past three years, the annual International Cooperation Conference is greasing the gears of multilateral cooperation in the region.

Secretary General of the ACS

The quality of our interaction with collaborators is evident in the initiatives we have embarked on...

The task ahead of us is no easy one. ACS Heads of State and Government who gathered in Managua, Nicaragua last year for the 8th Summit gave us the task of raising $100 million for the implementation of an ambitious Plan of Action, which will guide the work of the Association until 2021. It goes beyond our main focal areas of trade, transport, sustainable tourism, disaster risk reduction and the protection of the Caribbean Sea. It gives us expanded mandates in culture, education, sport and institutional strengthening. At the Secretariat, our new Directorate of Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation is now staffed and operational, doing the important work of networking and formulating exciting programmes and projects aimed at advancing the sustainable development ambitions of the Greater Caribbean. This publication outlines our strategy for cooperation and resource mobilisation. It collates our history and successes, tells the stories of extra-regional partners who have been satisfied with the Caribbean Connection that we provide and shows the value of our work for the benefit of the people of our region.

In 2017, our Ministerial Council gave the Secretariat the mandate “to promote bilateral Agreements between the ACS and current Observers regarding their participation in cooperation projects in those areas where the means and possibilities of cooperation exist.� We have been making significant strides in that regard. The quality of our interaction with collaborators is evident in the initiatives we have embarked on with the support of our Member States, Associate Members and Observers alike. The 12th Business Forum in Santiago de Cuba, a joint event with the Government of Cuba attracted 288 companies from 19 countries and generated significant commercial opportunities. At the First International Sargassum Conference, a partnership with Guadeloupe and France, ACS participants committed to establishing a Caribbean Sargassum Programme and the Caribbean Sargassum Monitoring Centre, which we hope will produce conclusive research, action and innovation on Sargassum.

The development challenges that face our Greater Caribbean are significant, but they are not insurmountable, we can face them together. Right here, among our 280+ million people, we have the expertise and experience to formulate plans to tackle Sargassum Seaweed. We have the scientists to properly monitor and determine coastal risks. We have the political will and savvy to formulate joint solutions, as demonstrated by the Declaration of the International Sargassum Conference held in Guadeloupe in 2019. The ACS brings all the varied experiences to the common pool and makes them available to all its Members.

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Preface

This International Cooperation Conference is once again creating the space for multilateral and bilateral interaction among Member States, Associates, Observers and other partners. Since 2016, we have welcomed six new Observers from four regions of the world. Other countries in continents near and far continue to express interest in observing the work we do and getting involved; this serves to reinforce the extra-regional recognition of the great value of the ACS. In previous editions of the Cooperation Conference, we solidified nascent relationships, signed Memoranda of Understanding and captured the imaginations of new Observers with the impact of the work we do and its potential. We expect 2020, with its expanded programme and enhanced format, to be just as, and even more successful.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua Valdrack Jaentschke greets Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados Dr Jerome X Walcott as SG Soomer looks on, Managua, Nicaragua | 2019

This magazine is a snapshot of our cooperation efforts of the past and the results they have brought. It shows how the ACS brings thirty-five Caribbean nations and territories together in pursuit of a sustainable development tailored to our unique reality. It is a tribute to the vision of our founders and the people who have served the region over the course of 25 years. It reflects how we have coordinated our efforts and found synergies among our focal areas to make work more efficient and effective. It is a roadmap of how the Association will tackle the future.

I urge you to take this opportunity to network, build strategic relationships with us, to concretise your interest in Greater Caribbean development. Cooperation is the cornerstone for sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean.

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Preface

MESSAGE FROM THE ACS CHAIR The Honourable Dr Jerome X. Walcott Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade of Barbados

As Chairman of the Ministerial Council, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to Barbados. Last year we proudly celebrated 25 years of the establishment of our Association of Caribbean States. This year, building on the solid foundation of cooperation in our ACS, we must intensify our efforts and purposefully continue on the path to promote consultation and further strengthening of the integration process among the countries of the Greater Caribbean region. Indeed, as we go into the future, our resolve must match the increasing intensity of such challenges as climate change which continue to bombard the Greater Caribbean region, and our commitment must therefore be unwavering to hold this important regional grouping together.

There can be no doubt that the ACS is a much-needed organisation. In a time when multilateralism is being side-lined by some, we know better! In September last year the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, made it clear at the United Nations General Assembly that Barbados was “committed to multilateralism... because we understand that it is the one thing that protects our sovereignty and our ability to navigate in this world. It is our buffer against the display of might and it is our shield against tyranny”. In that forum she also confirmed that the United Nations is “an important mechanism for achieving international peace and security and sustainable development for all countries” and that “historic examples have proven that national interests are best advanced by pursuing collaboration, partnership and a multilateral approach”.

Allow me to apply that observation to the Association of Caribbean States. The continued success of the ACS depends on all countries having the same clear focus to see that supposed development practices can have negative fallout if we are not careful about their implementation. For example, the development of the ocean economy, without collaboration, can also possibly destroy it.

You will recall that last July, I urged us all to continue to work steadfastly on our collective task of precisely defining our Caribbean Sea as a Special Area within the context of Sustainable Development. There is no doubt that the existence of the Caribbean Sea must be protected. Not only is our livelihood dependent on it, but it was the impetus for the formation of the ACS. The five key areas that we identified for consultation and cooperation - transport, natural disasters, trade, sustainable tourism and preservation and conservation of the Caribbean Sea - impact us all. They are as relevant today as they were twenty-five years ago and we have no choice but to adopt a shared strategy to effectively tackle them.

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Preface

In our fight for sustainable development, we are dealing with a double-edged sword of benefits and costs. We must use our resources for development, while being cautious of the potential consequences.

The Caribbean Sea, for example, makes transport (of goods and people) and connectivity possible; it provides food from fisheries; and, without a doubt, it is the most visible leisure aspect of our tourism product. It is also the source of offshore oil and gas that will generate significant revenues, yet it can easily be threatened by declines in the fish stocks, plastic pollution, deterioration of coral reefs and other negatives that make us vulnerable to climate change.

Goal 14 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda - Life below Water - alerts us to this fact, as it acknowledges the link between oceans and sustainable development and the importance of maintaining a healthy and resilient marine environment to support national development.

As we increase our use of the ocean to support development, how can we ensure that our use does not negatively contribute to a decline in the ocean’s ecological system?

How can we reap success while managing this balancing act? The answer lies in recognising and emphasising the connection and by having a clear plan to identify our priorities and ways to work together to achieve them.

We look forward to working with our development partners in a comprehensive and inclusive way that will highlight the fact that trade, sustainable tourism, transport and disaster risk reduction affect us all. We welcome their support and greatly appreciate the expertise that they will bring to the Greater Caribbean region to help us strengthen (institutional) capacity building and make our infrastructure more resilient to the challenges we will continue to face in the future. The sharing of knowledge will allow us to create the necessary innovative frameworks to adequately achieve the sustainable development goals.

Without a doubt, the priorities that we have identified for ourselves in the Greater Caribbean - innovation, productivity and resilience - are extremely relevant in this current era. We must use the new technologies to stimulate our people to creatively seek solutions and come up with new ideas to ensure that this region is sustainable economically, environmentally and socially.

We must resolve to work even harder in this twenty-sixth year of our Association of Caribbean States. The past twenty-five years have taught us that cooperation is possible and is indeed vital if our region is to survive. Now I call on you to let us redouble our effort, combine our individual strengths, and continue the pursuit of our organisation’s mandates.

I very much look forward to the conclusions that will be reached after our robust discussions, and would like to wish you all a very successful Conference. I wish you a pleasant stay in Barbados.

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Cooperation

Media coverage of the Inaugural Summit of the Association of Caribbean States

WHY AN ACS?

HOW DO WE WORK?

At the end of the 1980s, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government felt a growing need to forge closer relations with their neighbours in the Caribbean Basin. This desire embraced all those nations washed by the Caribbean Sea, including other Caribbean states, Central America and the littorals of South America. In 1992, the West Indian Commission (WIC) proposed the creation of an Association of Caribbean States in its report, “Time for Action”. The WIC envisioned the ACS as a cooperation mechanism, which would potentially become the largest integration movement in the Caribbean, expanding through unprecedented geographical scope.

On July 24, 1994, 28 countries signed the Convention establishing the ACS in the historic city of Cartagena de Índias, Colombia. The ACS is committed to the strengthening of cooperation and the cultural, economic, political, scientific, social and technological relations among its members.

For over 20 years, we’ve been building on the geographical proximity and historical linkages that we share. It has all been in an effort to transcend the separateness of the past and contribute to our collective future development.

Follow-up discussions occurred when the CARICOM Bureau met with the governments of Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela to discuss the proposal. These countries wholeheartedly welcomed the idea.

Further diplomatic discourse continued at the CARICOM-Central American Meeting in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

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The Association of Caribbean States is an organisation for consultation, cooperation and concerted action. The Association seeks to establish cooperative agreements which cater to the development needs and cultural identities of countries in the region. The ACS has standing bodies aimed at promoting, consolidating and strengthening regional cooperation.

www.acs-aec.org

Cooperation

OBSERVING THE GREATER CARIBBEAN Since 2016, the work of the Association of Caribbean States has attracted the attention of six new Observers in four regions, bringing total ACS Observer countries to 28. Belarus, Bolivia, Uruguay, Palestine, Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signalled their intention to contribute to the sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean - through the ACS, the regional organisation which has the widest understanding of the Caribbean. With such a wide range of collaborators, with varied expertise - climate change, disaster risk reduction and education among the specialty area offerings of the new Observers - the potential for exciting projects and programmes that impact the 280+ million people of the Greater Caribbean is endless. A strong reputation of bilateral and triangular cooperation, paired with a varied menu of focal areas in development, make the ACS an exciting entry portal for potential extra-regional collaborators.

Over the 25 years of its existence, the ACS has developed a solid name regionally and internationally, implementing different modes of cooperation. Cooperation with the ACS has taken many forms, among them: the exchange of skills and knowledge, human resource development, scholarships, hosting of seminars

and development financing. Contributions from Observers have been significant to the work of the Association for the benefit of all Members.

They have spanned the areas of disaster risk reduction, education, culture, tourism, trade and the protection of the Caribbean Sea, and have come from ACS partners as far as Finland and South Korea and as close as the ACS’ own membership - whether Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba or Guadeloupe.

With a current total of 34 Observers - comprising countries and organisations - the ACS can boast one of the most expansive assortments of stakeholders that hold observer status among hemispheric organisations. The possibility of even more Observers coming on board exists as the Organisation’s statutes allow the Ministerial Council to consider granting observer status to any “States, Countries or Territories that maintain diplomatic relations or recognise the States of the Greater Caribbean…”. The guiding rules go on to say that such a territory “may develop its policy of peace and respect, without discrimination or exclusion, and based on the principles, nature and purposes established in the Convention Establishing the ACS, promoting cooperation.” In this regard, focus is placed on the “possibility of technical, scientific and economic A representative of the Korea International Cooperation Agency chats with Director for Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment & the Caribbean Sea Arturo LopezPortillo and SG Soomer at the 3rd Cooperation Conference in Managua, Nicaragua | 2019

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Cooperation

An attendee takes a picture at the 3rd Cooperation Conference in Managua, Nicaragua | 2019

cooperation to the development programmes and projects agreed to by the Association.”

Consideration is also given to regional and international organisations that contribute to the development of the Caribbean”.

By way of inclusion and diversity of membership, the ACS is the most inclusive, Caribbean-focused cooperation organisation, based on geography and common historical, cultural, economic backgrounds. Former Secretary General Dr. Norman Girvan calls the development space created by the ACS the “Greater Caribbean Zone of Cooperation.” “The ACS is the only regional organisation that provides a vehicle for the development of relationships across all aspects of functional cooperation among the Spanish, French, English and Dutch-speaking countries, and between the independent states and non-independent territories, in the Greater Caribbean.”1 Formalising the Secretariat’s revitalisation efforts of the early 2010s, in 2017, the Ministerial Council gave the Secretariat the mandate “to promote bilateral Agreements between the ACS and current Observers regarding their participation in cooperation projects in those areas where the means and possibilities of cooperation exist”.

The ACS has long proven its strength in multilateral cooperation. Its projects and

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programmes have had the flexibility in concept to benefit the entire Greater Caribbean or specific subregions with technical expertise and financial support coming from within or outside the region. The Sandy Shorelines project is a key, current example of multifaceted cooperation that the ACS facilitates for its members - 10 territories have begun benefitting from the project. In this instance, the Caribbean’s development need for coastal erosion monitoring coincides with technical expertise from Korea, Cuba, Colombia and Barbados, supported by funding from Turkey, South Korea, France and the Netherlands.

Another recent example of the type of multilateral cooperation that the ACS facilitates is the SHOCS (Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological Operations and Services in the Caribbean SIDS) Project. In an effort to improve strategic planning for disaster risk reduction, the ACS and the Government of Finland began negotiating in 2009. The meteorological services of 16 ACS Members benefited from the project with over a million Euros in equipment and training. The project featured joint implementation from the World Meteorological Organisation and was so well-received that a second phase was implemented and completed in 2017. These examples show the adaptability of ACS projectimplementation methods and the widespread impact for potential donors, providing an outlet for international contributors to extend

1 Cooperation in the Greater Caribbean: The Role of the Association of Caribbean States - Norman Girvan, 2006

Cooperation

a neighbourly hand in the global community, impacting the Greater Caribbean through a singular entry point, which embraces the Spanish, English, French and Dutch Caribbean.

Most of the recent Observers to the ACS have expressed interest in work focused on the environment, disaster risk reduction, capacitybuilding and culture. Voicing the challenges faced, in particular, by the Small Island Developing States, the region has been forthright, whether by regional leaders before the United Nations General Assembly, youth at COP 24 or the calls for humanitarian aid after the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Considering the theme of the 8th ACS Heads of State/Government Summit, “Uniting Efforts in the Caribbean to face Climate Change”, the interests of the pool of ACS collaborators are in line with ACS areas of focus. Other ACS subregions, such as Central America have also shown that, despite their size, disaster risk reduction is a key area for extra-regional collaboration; the ACS has even been collaborating with regional organisations such as the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF-SPC).

The opportunity for Observers and other actors to offer input in climate change adaptation and resilience is evident and fits well with the ACS’ tested method of joining national, regional and extra-regional resources.

Analysing ACS’ cooperation vigour over the period 2016 - 2020, by considering the number of new Observers is not the only significant measure.

Quality of Observer contribution and consensus on areas of collaboration have also been developed significantly.

Coming out of the Inaugural Cooperation Conference in 2017, Secretary General Dr June Soomer led efforts to activate cooperation with Italy, admitted as an Observer since 1996.

Those discussions resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding with Italy in May 2017. The MoU agrees that both Italy and the ACS will coordinate “specific programmes, projects and activities” to further cooperation in eight fields. The work programmes and projects in ACS focal areas have continued to benefit from contributions of collaborators. The Regional Network of Artisans in Tourism of the Greater Caribbean has benefitted from the contributions of the Republic of Turkey, connecting over 12,000 handicraft makers regionally. Secretary General Soomer has worked toward establishing continuous exchange with Serbia, an Observer since 2012.

That work, up to this point, has culminated with a Framework Agreement for cooperation with the Central European Republic, pledging financial support, exchange of specialists, human resource development and other expertise for all ACS focal areas and institutional strengthening.

Ambassadors & country representatives at the 3rd Cooperation Conference in Managua, Nicaragua | 2019

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Cooperation

The 2019-2021 Plan of Action, approved by Heads of State and Government in 2019 expands the cooperation and resource-mobilisation mandate.

It gives the Secretariat the task of raising US $100 million for work in the key areas of: sustainable tourism; trade and external economic relations; transport; disaster risk reduction; the Caribbean Sea; culture, education and sport, combined with a continued drive towards institutional strengthening. The Plan of Action also sets the Secretariat a goal of incorporating three new Associate Members, five Observers and 10 Social Partners. New potential Associate Members can come from among Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, as set out in Annex II of the Convention.

With a strong reputation in triangular cooperation, wide experience and focal areas, and reach across the region, new collaborators of the ACS can feel comfortable that they have the ideal perch to observe the Greater Caribbean. Interaction between the Greater Caribbean and territories outside the region has widened in scope and deepened significantly in the past four years, expanding the sources of cooperation for the benefit of members.

2016 BOLIVIA

SG Soomer met with representatives of the government of Bolivia. The two parties discussed means of enhancing Bolivia’s engagement with the ACS. Areas of interest: sustainable tourism, research + disaster risk reduction

2016 URUGUAY

Representatives from the Government of The Eastern Republic of Uruguay attended the 2016 Summit in Havana, Cuba. In the agreement with the ACS, Uruguay expresses its wish to expand cooperation with all Members.

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Cooperation

OBSERVING THE GREATER CARIBBEAN RECENT ACS OBSERVERS 2016 Belarus

The Secretariat and the Republic of Belarus exchanged official communication and committed to working together on mutually advantageous projects. In the agreement with the ACS, Belarus expresses its wish to expand cooperation with all Members.

Areas of interest: national + economic development

2017 2017 JAPAN

2018

SG Soomer met with representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and discussed the 2019-2021 Plan of Action, with Japan indicating its interest in multi-sector development projects.

PALESTINE

SG Soomer met with representatives of the government of Palestine and discussed initiating negotiations to establish a cooperation framework agreement.

Areas of interest: disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, sargassum + fisheries

Areas of interest: agriculture, education, medicine, renewable energy + training

2017 2018 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

2018 - Framework Agreement for cooperation between United Arab Emirates and the ACS. SG Soomer met with representatives of the government of the UAE and discussed the establishment of the cooperation framework agreement.

Areas of interest: renewable energy, environment, climate change, culture + education

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Cooperation

THE ACS COOPERATION STRATEGY IMPROVED EFFICIENCY, INCREASED COOPERATION THE BEGINNING THE SPECIAL FUND

From conceptualisation of the ACS to the present day, development financing through cooperation has been a major pillar of the work of the Association. Article seven of the Convention establishing the ACS mandates that the “Ministerial Council shall also establish a Special Fund for the purpose of financing programmes of technical cooperation and related research consistent with the purposes and functions of the Association”.

A study of the Special Fund conducted in January 2016 found that for a large chunk of its existence, it was “a fund without funds”. The Fund was managed by insufficiently-qualified temporary staff Management of the Fund. There was also a lack of systematic organisation of the Fund’s files and data.

Top: Staff of the Directorate of Cooperation and Resource

Director for Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation Ingrid Jacobs says, “I think that it is important to recognise the need for cooperation in project and programme financing.

The Special Fund was just a mechanism, but it was not strong enough to fulfill its mandate. Therefore the natural step in order to organise cooperation was to create the Directorate.”

Mobilisation and UWI Professor Jessica Byron at a symposium | 2019

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“The Special Fund was almost invisible and was not able to recognise its potential. Having the Directorate gives us the mandate to interact directly with those who are seeking to partner with the ACS and proactively and efficiently mobilise resources.”

“The potential is enormous. We can work in a coordinated and organised manner that will send a positive institutional message that is unified and is coherent with the institutional plans of the ACS.”

WHY A DIRECTORATE FOR COOPERATION & RESOURCE MOBILISATION? Following periods of intermittent work in the Special Fund, due to limited human resources, Member States gave the Secretariat the task of incorporating the position of a full-time Special Fund Manager into the Association. The solution is the new Directorate which seeks to assist the ACS in shaping and organising cooperation to finance projects that will impact Members. It has the important task of securing new and additional resources for the organisation and optimising existing resources. Mandated by the 2016 Declaration of Havana, the Directorate seeks to accelerate efforts to ensure that the organisation’s project and programme-management meet international standards, thereby encouraging greater intra and inter-regional development cooperation.

INGRID JACOBS Director, Cooperation & Resource Mobilisation

Cooperation

STRENGTHS The ACS has a solid reputation of work in sustainable development in the Greater Caribbean & internationally.

The work of the Association continues to have the involvement and support of Members.

Organisation’s position to abstain from national political affairs ensures neutrality and continuous project-implementation.

ACS thematic areas align with global sustainable development objectives.

OPPORTUNITIES Donors have the chance to impact the people of 35 countries | 280+ million people and continuously contribute to their sustainable development.

Opportunity to develop unique cooperation agreements tailored to the strengths of the donors and needs of the ACS, with multi-stakeholder approach and engagement, including publicprivate partnerships.

DEVELOPMENTS The Directorate for Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation (DCRM) has already begun the work mandated by ACS Heads of State and Government at the 8th Summit in Managua, Nicaragua.

DCRM is now staffed by a Director, Advisor and Secretary.

Drafted a comprehensive Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation Strategy. The Strategy, to be approved by the Ministerial Council, is based on the 2019-2021 Plan of Action. It seeks to mobilise US $100 million for the implementation of projects and programmes in ACS focal areas.

The DCRM has drafted an institutional strengthening programme, comprising training in project management, continuous training programme for staff and technology upgrades.

The Directorate has begun to actively participate in international cooperation events to identify new opportunities and to publicise the work of the ACS. The Directorate has begun the formulation and design of projects and programmes that are aligned with the sustainable development needs of the people of the Greater Caribbean.

The ACS is ideally-positioned to execute SouthSouth and Triangular cooperation arrangements.

Staff of the Directorate listen attentively at a meeting of the Development Bank of Latin America & the Caribbean (CAF) | 2019

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Consultation

Leaders of regional organisations gather at the ACS meeting table during the 7th Inter-Secretariat Meeting of the Founding Observers of the Association | 2020

FOUNDING OBSERVERS COORDINATE EFFORTS Regional cooperation and integration organisations met in Port-of-Spain at the ACS Secretariat in January, 2020, to find ways to coordinate their work, reduce duplication of efforts and impact the people of the Greater Caribbean with greater efficiency. ACS Secretary General Dr. June Soomer, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and UNECLAC’s Sub-Regional Director for the Caribbean Diane Quarless sat at the table, while joined online

by SICA and SIECA. The leaders discussed how they can better coordinate work in the pursuit of the sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean.

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It is the seventh Inter-Secretariat meeting of the Founding Observers of the ACS, the last one took place in 2006. SG Soomer says “We have been asked to deliver on joint work programmes that deliver optimum results. We have a mandate to promote a robust environmental, economic and social

programme tailored to the vulnerabilities of our region. The ACS has a broad mandate of cooperation, coordination and concerted action. We must bring new optimism and hope to the region, so that our names are synonymous with promise.”

CARICOM SG LaRocque is happy that the intersecretariat meetings have been revived. “I see our priorities as very interrelated. We collectively have not lived up to our own expectations of coming together to try to forge closer relationships. When this organisation (ACS) was formed, it was intended to be the secretariat of secretariats, meaning the ACS has a coordinating role to play among us in a manner that avoids duplication and creates value for all.”

Werner Vargas, Executive Director of SICA says, “We are very happy to be able to participate here and share ideas. There are important synergies between

Consultation

FOUNDING OBSERVERS Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat Latin American Economic System (SELA) Central American Integration System (SICA) Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC) Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO)

the work plans of SICA and ACS. We need more dynamism with CARICOM and ACS Member States to join our efforts, goals and plans.”

UNECLAC’s Subregional Director, Diane Quarless added, “I am extremely pleased to be here and participate. I fully support the approach and I want to use this opportunity to reaffirm the support and partnership between ECLAC and the ACS, there are many opportunities for collaboration that we would like to pursue.”

Chair of the ACS Ministerial Council 2020, Barbados Foreign Minister Dr. Jerome X. Walcott is pleased that the organisations have acknowledged the need for joint efforts to pursue their common goals. He says, “This presents an opportunity for all to ventilate views, as at the end of the day, we are expected to deliver results in the areas agreed to.”

CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque makes a point at the Inter-Secretariat Meeting as Jhonson Alexandre of CARICOM and Director of the Subregional Office for the Caribbean of ECLAC Diane Quarless listen | 2020

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Consultation

THE SECRETARIAT OF SECRETARIATS This year, the ACS hosted its seventh Inter-Secretariat Meeting of the Founding Observers.

The purpose of the meeting is to strengthen cooperation with the six Founding Observers of the Association and other regional secretariats. CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque spoke on the unique role of the ACS in regional cooperation, consultation and concerted action.

“I want to start from a different perspective, from recalling the Convention which established the ACS. Why we established the ACS and to see how this organisation, this meeting, fits into that; because the purpose of establishing the ACS was to bridge a divide, at the time, between what was then the English-speaking Caribbean, but CARICOM, and its brothers and sisters in Central and South America, that were washed by the Caribbean Sea. That desire and need still remains.

The objective was ‘to strengthen regional cooperation among us, with a view to create an enhanced economic space in the wider region’, and I am quoting from the Convention. The Convention aimed to facilitate active coordinated participation by our greater region in multilateral fora with a unified voice... whether it be when we put forward the issues of the Caribbean Sea at the United Nations, we all speak with one voice of course; whether it be on disaster management and perhaps when we are at the WTO (World Trade Organisation) with trade issues as well…

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Consultation

...The initial four priorities of the ACS, and the additional two remain relevant to us and I see them as very interrelated. Whether you talk about tourism, you need transportation to move people; trade, you need transportation to move goods. If you talk about culture, you need to know each other, understand each other and again, we have to be able to visit each other and understand our culture. Education is a great bridge, the language-divide needs to be addressed and institutional relationships among our educational facilities and universities and other such foundations. So I wanted to put that in a particular context and speak to the role of this institution.

We collectively, and I’m putting myself in it, have not lived up to our own expectations of coming together to try to forge that close relationship.

When this institution was founded, and I was present, I very well remember when there were discussions about the secretariat of the ACS. The words that were mentioned were that this was to be

‘the secretariat of secretariats’. Those who were there would remember that, meaning that the secretariat of the ACS has a coordinating role to play among us, and to bring us together in a manner that avoids duplication, in a manner that creates value for each of us and value for all; and it is for this reason that I’m here.

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Colaboration

SG Soomer presents Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Luigi Di Maio with a gift during a bilateral meeting | 2019

ITALY REACTIVATES CARIBBEAN CONNECTION Observer 1996 | MoU 2017

Italy has long been an Observer of the ACS, but

their renewed interest in the Organisation and the Greater Caribbean was activated in 2017 at the Inaugural International Cooperation Conference in Cuba. Since then, communication has been free-flowing with several meetings between the Secretariat and the Italian ambassadors to the Caribbean.

In October 2019, SG Soomer attended the 9th ItaloLatin American and Caribbean Conference under the theme “Together for Sustainable Growth�.

In the margins of that meeting, SG Soomer met with Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs

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and International Cooperation of Italy. The two discussed the implementation of the MoU between the ACS and Italy, and had a preliminary exchange on how Italy can contribute to the 2019 - 2021 ACS Action Plan. The Directorate for Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation has developed a draft work programme of mutual interest for both parties.

Areas of interest: climate change, cultural heritage, science and technology + university cooperation

Colaboration

ACS & SERBIA MUTUAL READINESS FOR COOPERATION Observer 2017 | Framework Agreement 2019 The Framework Agreement signed between the Republic of Serbia and the ACS, establishes some 11 areas for possible cooperation between the parties, spanning from the protection and preservation of the Caribbean Sea and natural resources to cultural development.

Minister Dacic says “Serbia has long-standing friendly relations with the Caribbean states, but they are not sufficiently developed and Serbia is not present enough in the region. That is why we have signed the Framework Agreement in order to create a legal basis for cooperation”.

Following a first bilateral meeting between Secretary General Soomer and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, in Cuba in 2017, the two signed the agreement, confirming “mutual readiness for cooperation” on 31 May, 2018 in Serbian capital, Belgrade. The two met again in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019 and undertook to work on developing a draft work programme to activate the MOU.

Areas of interest: protection + preservation of the environment, natural resources + the Caribbean Sea, sustainable tourism, disaster risk reduction, transportation, development of trade + external economic relations, climate change, promotion of the development of small-scale and mid-scale enterprises, cultural development, education + scientific + technological development, communications + information collection, exchange + analysis, institutional strengthening

First Deputy Prime Minister Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Ivica Dacic & SG Soomer shake hands at a bilateral meeting in Managua, Nicaragua | 2019

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Concerted Action

CONNECTING THE GREATER CARIBBEAN A REGIONAL FAST FERRY Greater Caribbean politicians, and specialists in transport, trade and economics have come together to work full steam on a regional fast ferry service, with the aim of starting trial runs by the end of the year. At a brainstorming meeting in Barbados in January, 2020, regional organisations, potential international financiers and the ACS sat at the discussion table, putting together an action plan. All involved in the meeting “agreed that a fast and affordable regional maritime bridge would have a transformative impact.” The plan has the aim of assembling a demo that proves the feasibility and practicality of the project. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, current Chair of the ACS and CARICOM is aiming to have a trial of the ferry service among a small group of countries launched before the end of 2020.

Historically, intra-regional movement across the Caribbean Sea goes back thousands of years. In modern times journeys across the sea have facilitated trade, commerce and the mixing of Greater Caribbean population. Even though it has happened for thousands of years, it has never been easy. In 1999, ACS leaders began the programme: Uniting the Caribbean by Air and Sea. It encouraged Members to incorporate the spirit of the programme “into all relevant policy decisions on an individual and collective basis” and promoted closer relations with private sector transport organisations. At present, by air, travel in the Greater Caribbean is out of reach of most of the 280+ million people of the region because of high fares, low interconnectivity and limited or unreliable cargo capacity. Shipping services are inefficient, expensive and are not in-line with local demand.

BENEFITS OF A REGIONAL FAST FERRY SYSTEM •

•

• •

•

WHAT’S NEEDED TO MAKE THE SYSTEM REALITY • • • • •

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Trade in goods - reduced cost + improved delivery times + increased competitiveness Transport - affordable interisland travel + increased baggage allowance Tourism - increased travel for tourists + residents Disaster Risk Reduction increased logistical capacity for delivering disaster relief Food Security - low-cost transport for improving produce-distribution

Adequate financing Technical expertise Easy passage through customs + immigration Upgrade existing ports Reduce + manage bureaucracy

Concerted Action

TURKEY – A CHAMPION FOR WOMEN IN THE CARIBBEAN HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY Launched in 2014, the project: “Strengthening Woman and Artisan with SMEs in the Tourism Sector” created a space where artisans could engage their own. This initiative, commonly known as the Regional Network of Artisans in Tourism of the Greater Caribbean encouraged artisans to exchange techniques and raw materials; trade each other’s finished products; and open their businesses to new markets.

National representatives from Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Saint Lucia have been emboldened as trail-blazers, friends and colleagues over the last five years.

In 2018, Turkey made a considerate contribution to the sustainable development of artisans in the Greater Caribbean, by investing US $100,000 in the Regional Network of Artisans. Through this assistance, handicraft artisans have received

capacity-enhancing training in major areas like business planning; marketing and promotions; and technology-adoption, positively impacting their operations.

SG Soomer listens as Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Turkey in Port-of-Spain Melis Altuntaş makes a point

The year 2020 marks the end of the first phase of the project. Assistance from Turkey allowed the ACS to fund approximately 24 hours of direct training, three network meetings, and participation in four trade events: EXPOCARIBE, ExpoALADI, CARIFESTA, and the 12th ACS Greater Caribbean Business Forum. This support also allowed for the strengthening of extended artisan networks connecting over 12,000 regional artisans through the nine representative countries.

When the artisans gathered in Trinidad and Tobago to enhance their skills and exhibit their handicraft at CARIFESTA (Caribbean Festival of Arts) 2019, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy

during a meeting of the Regional Artisan Network | 2019

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Concerted Action

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“As a country, we always support small and medium businesses, but also powerful women in the workplace. So I am really glad that we are supporting this project and I am really glad to see a lot of powerful women around me. As a woman, I always think that every country, every government, non-governmental and governmental organisation should support women-empowerment in the working field and also handicraft is a big part of a culture too, so we are really glad to be a part of this project.”

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of Turkey in Port-of-Spain, Melis Altuntas expressed Turkey’s pleasure in being able to support the project for the last two years, “Let me thank you for this opportunity, because we are really happy to be here and we wish to create greater bonds with the Association of Caribbean States.”

She said there were many connections between Turkey and the Greater Caribbean that stirred interest in the project.

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Additionally, representatives have been granted the opportunity to create souvenirs for diplomats and participants of the 25th Meeting of the ACS Ministerial Council. This coupled with an exhibition of their products during the meeting will provide access to more markets, allowing current artisans to leave yet another mark on the Greater Caribbean.

Importantly, an upcoming phase two of the project will see an expanded scope with a new group of artisan representatives being selected, from a new niche market which will further add value to the regional tourism product. So, join us and pledge your support to the Regional Network of Artisans in Tourism of the Greater Caribbean, as we continue to work towards the empowerment of local creatives, while protecting our cultural legacy for the world to enjoy.

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As the first phase draws to a close, the current artisan representatives will meet one final time for capacity building in areas that support the sustainability of their creative and commercial interests, namely: Understanding Intellectual Property Rights and The Art of the Sales Pitch.

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Concerted Action

"Caribbean Colours" A FILM BY THE ACS Seven handicraft artisans from the Greater Caribbean get together to exchange ideas, techniques, and interact artist to artist.

STREAM

http://bit.ly/acs-aec-carib-col-str

www.acs-aec.org |

#ACS #AEC

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Concerted Action

Roadmap to THE

Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean ENGAGE Tourism actors with a stake

in seeing the industry thrive

AUDIT Country destinations to

measure and help enhance sustainability levels

eMPOWER

State actors with best practice expertise and capacity building

Mobilise Resources across social,

$

economic and environmental dimensions

promote Sustainable destinations as the epicentre of dynamic visitor experiences

+ VALUE Better tourism administration through responsible action

In 2001, the Association of Caribbean States established the Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean with the goal of preserving the region’s prime income-generating sector. Journey through the Greater Caribbean and indulge in sustainable tourism experiences: powered by local people and driven by diverse destinations.

#STZCGOALS 35 4 $

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GREATER CARIBBEAN DESTINATIONS MILLION INVESTMENT

4 21

IMPLEMENTATION CONSULTANCIES MARKET DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

WWW.ACS-AEC.ORG #AEC #ACS

Concerted Action

ACS BUSINESS FORUM 2020 RENEWED | RE:INVESTMENT The 13th Edition of the ACS Business Forum is set for June 30 - July 5, 2020 in Trinidad and Tobago, with a fresh approach and significant emphasis on investment in the Greater Caribbean. The rebranded and reconceptualised Business Forum will take place in collaboration with the Trade and Investment Conference of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), with the theme “Building Partnerships for Intra-ACS Trade and Investment towards a Common Future.”

The proposed format of the Business Forum will be: open seminars and discussions specifically focused on the topics of Trade, Investment, Transport, and Sustainable Tourism.

members of the business community. It marries the expertise of public and private sectors, to enhance their roles in trade development. At the Forum, trade promotion organisations from ACS Member States meet to discuss important trade issues.

Themes of discussions at the Business Forum: Trade Without Borders: Routes towards a Common Future for Trade in the Greater Caribbean

12th ACS Business Forum, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba | 2019

Since inception, the event has continued to evolve and expand, to include a wider range of participants, collaborators, contributors, and themes.

Sustainability as a Core Business: Reshaping Tourism in the Greater Caribbean Mobility is key: Connecting the Greater Caribbean Investment with Intent: Transforming the Greater Caribbean In keeping with the mandate issued at the 2nd Summit of ACS Heads of State and/or Government, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1999, there will be a closed meeting for discussions among trade promotion organisations from ACS Member States.

Business-to-Business meetings will also be conducted, as well as an exhibition.

WHY A BUSINESS FORUM?

Established as an instrument to promote and facilitate intra-regional trade, The ACS Business Forum fosters solid entrepreneurial relations to promote trade, investment, and knowledge-exchange among

12th ACS Business Forum 288 - Companies 19 - ACS Member States 11 - Chambers of Commerce 8 - Trade Promotion Organisations 119 - Business-to-Business Meetings Sectors - Agri-food, health & pharmaceuticals, manufacturing Expo - 85 International exhibitors | 203 Cuban exhibitors

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Concerted Action

TACKLING SARGASSUM TOGETHER Over 20 countries in the Greater Caribbean agreed on a declaration that will see them researching and protecting their populations from the hazards of Sargassum Seaweed, in partnership with regional organisations, the private sector and civil society. They have agreed to establish a “Caribbean Programme for Sargassum”, which will model and monitor, establish logistics, and consider appropriate utilisation and disposal of Sargassum. Leaders and representatives from the ACS, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and many countries and territories in the Caribbean participated in the First International Conference on Sargassum and Sargassum Expo, organised by the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, in October, 2020.

The leaders agreed that there is not enough information about the impact of Sargassum and that is sufficient impetus to strengthen cooperation, pool resources to boost knowledge, forecast, collect, and examine the impact and use of Sargassum, which has littered Caribbean coasts since 2011. The Caribbean Programme for Sargassum will be financed by the European Territorial Cooperation Fund (INTERREG) and led

by Guadeloupe.

President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, Ary Chalus, stresses the importance of a regional approach in tackling the stream of problems caused by the almost-annual Sargassum blooms.

“It is clear that we will not stop here, otherwise it will be detrimental to the economy of our Seaweed blankets a beach in Martinique.

MARC BRUXELLE/ SHUTTERSTOCK STOCK PHOTO

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Regional politicians, leaders and scientists discuss the issues surrounding Sargassum at SARGEXPO ‘19 | 2019

countries. We continue to fight and provide assistance to communities impacted by the invasion of Sargassum so that they do not lose hope. Therefore, I was very pleased to host this International Conference on Sargassum which, I hope, will open a door of hope.”

Secretary General Dr. June Soomer says the rich discussions at the conference and Sarg’Expo, the first ever international Sargassum trade show, have been fruitful. “We have been talking about it since 2011. I was very pleased because we discussed solutions, opportunities and innovations in this area. In addition, we spoke as one for the first time by making a major regional political statement which, I hope, will have an international impact. Caribbean ingenuity blooms, at least as richly, if not more so than Sargassum.”

Concerted Action

French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who attended the Conference says, “...facing the same problem pushed us to unite our efforts in order to formulate an efficient, coordinated response to Sargassum washing up on our shores. This is why the final Declaration that we just adopted and just revised, indicates the need to respond to this Sargassum influx through multilateral cooperation, in the same vein as the Cartagena Convention, which creates a multilateral framework of dialogue to manage and mitigate natural risks and pollution.”

The countries and territories represented at the Conference include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands, French Guiana, Martinique, Montserrat, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin.

Read the full declaration at: www.acs-aec.org

Young people from Guadeloupe explain their research and findings on Sargassum to regional decision-makers at SARGEXPO’19 | 2019

The Inaugural International Sargassum Conference and Expo created a forum to discuss the threat to Caribbean economies, lifestyles and culture posed by the seasonal seaweed.

The events brought together politicians, diplomats, scientists, youth, community groups, researchers and entrepreneurs, to conceive culturally-friendly solutions to the hazard.

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Concerted Action

Sargassum doesn’t care whether it is St Kitts and Nevis or Mexico because the sea has no boundaries. We are seeing a major impact on our countries economically, socially, culturally, etc.

SG Soomer delivers a speech at the closing of the International Sargassum Conference ‘19 | 2019

5 GOALS OF THE CARIBBEAN SARGASSUM PROGRAMME The Caribbean Programme for Sargassum was agreed upon in Guadeloupe in October, 2019. It will see collaborative effort among 22 territories and organisations around the Greater Caribbean and will aim to: Support scientific research, technological development and innovation in Sargassum Build Caribbean capacity to respond to massive Sargassum landings + research, collate and share information on social, economic and legal aspects of Sargassum management Implement detection mechanisms + pool health information for the monitoring of at-risk populations Identify viable commercial uses and encourage investment Develop swift + effective responses to emergencies by improving forecasting information on landings in the Caribbean zone

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Concerted Action

“I cannot even begin to tell you how difficult Sargassum has been for us. It has been very difficult on our tourism trade, it has been very difficult for our fishermen.

Fishing is a way of life in Barbados.

“The aim of this multilateral cooperation is simple: to transform the scourge of Sargassum into a scientific, economic and ecological opportunity.”

Senator Lucille Moe Minister of Information, Broadcasting & Public Affairs of Barbados

Édouard Philippe Prime Minister of France

“We have the desire to resolve the problem, and we are focusing our efforts. I return to the Dominican Republic convinced that we are on the right path to resolve this pressing issue that has brought us here to Guadeloupe.”

“We may have no choice but to live with Sargassum Seaweed, but above all, we must take into account the legitimate aspirations of our people to lead a full and meaningful life on their land.”

Manuel Serrano Montero Vice Minister of the Environment & Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic

Ary Chalus President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe

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Concerted Action

GREATER CARIBBEAN SARGASSUM IMPACT TIMELINE 2011

First mass Sargassum blooms make landfall on Caribbean beaches, the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic.

Sargassum events affected the 2012 Barbados fishing season drastically, recording the lowest seasonal catch since 2004.

2015

2018 JAN - AUG

MAY

2012

Largest Sargassum bloom on record invades the Caribbean.

ACS organises regional symposium on the impact of Sargassum: Challenges, Dialogue & Cooperation towards Sustainability of the Caribbean Sea.

Mexican university students establish a factory to recycle Sargassum into durable fabrics in the state Quintana Roo. More than 3,341 cases of exposure to toxic gases from Sargassum degradation reported in Guadeloupe.

Levels of dangerous Hydrogen Sulphide gas reach record levels in Guadeloupe, affecting 2,000 students, closing schools.

Former French Environment Minister presents US $10M plan to combat Sargassum in Guadeloupe.

JUN

Largest Sargassum bloom in the world recorded, stretching from West Africa to the Caribbean Sea, into the Gulf of Mexico.

JUL

SEPT

The “Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt” extended 8,850km and weighed over 20 million tonnes.

Saint Lucia begins to produce organic bio-fertiliser from Sargassum for international export.

Caribbean fishermen report drastic decrease in flying fish stock. Sargassum beds prevent them from spreading their wings over the sea surface.

Total of $17 million spent to remove over half a million tonnes of Sargassum from Mexico’s Caribbean beaches. Some 1,000km of Mexican beaches impacted.

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ww w. acs-aec.org

#AEC #ACS

2019

Concerted Action

ACS & MEXICO: THERE MUST BE POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO FIGHT SARGASSUM Secretary General Dr June Soomer and Chief, Office of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Fabián Medina have agreed that countries of the Greater Caribbean must come together politically, to collaborate on scientific and business opportunities to solve the problem of Sargassum invasions in the region.

They met while attending the International Sargassum Conference in Guadeloupe in October. Secretary General Soomer detailed how the invasive species has been affecting other ACS members since 2011, when the first Sargassum bloom in modern times invaded Caribbean beaches.

SG Soomer & delegation after meeting with the Mexican delegation at SARGEXPO ‘19 | 2019

He said that government agencies and private entities need to come together to collaborate on solutions, and that it must be seen as an opportunity for the region.

ACS Director for Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment and the Caribbean Sea Arturo López-Portillo, Political Advisor Tricia Barrow also contributed to the discussions.

SG Soomer participated in the High-Level Meeting on Sargassum in the Greater Caribbean, held in Mexico in June, 2019.

Medina stressed that there is not enough scientific knowledge about Sargassum and its impact on human health and activity.

The audience of a symposium at the International Sargassum Conference’19 | 2019

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Concerted Action

CARIBBEAN SEA COOPERATION

THE NEW FRONTIER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Over the past three years, world powers have come to the ACS table to negotiate how they can positively impact and benefit the Caribbean Sea, all its varied species and coastal people. ACS Observer countries have been eager to contribute to projects aimed at protecting and preserving the Sea that unites us. The Caribbean Sea Commission has received financial and technical resources from South Korea, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Turkey and France to tackle important climatic problems such as coastal erosion and sea-levelrise.

The Caribbean Sea, which is integral to the economic, social and cultural life of our region, is under threat.

Coastal erosion rates across the Greater Caribbean have doubled since 2000. It is also estimated that by 2100, almost 50% of the region’s resorts will be destroyed.

Cooperation and unified political positions on the Sea are key to protecting the hub of socio-economic activity in the Greater Caribbean.

One highlight of this international collaboration has been the Sandy Shorelines Project, which has grown into three components, sponsored by the governments of South Korea, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France. The financial cooperation received has totalled

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over $4 million. It has brought increased access to international fora and research on coastal issues, strengthened scientific dialogue and collaboration between the East and the West and has directly impacted 15 ACS Members and Associates. For 2020 and beyond, the ACS welcomes more countries to the table to further increase the impact of the work to save and preserve the Caribbean Sea – the lifeline of the Caribbean basin.

Concerted Action

SANDY SHORELINES & CARIB-COAST THE FRENCH CONNECTION In 2016, the Sandy Shorelines project was first given life through the collaboration of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). In 2019, the French ACS brought its expertise and advanced technical knowledge to the ACS table, partnering their CARIB-COAST project, expanding the scope of Sandy Shorelines. Under KOICA, 10 Member States were selected to participate in this three-year project. In 2016, the foundation was laid for expansion to more countries. In 2017, the ACS received support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands to include two Dutch Associate Members.

The Carib-Coast project focuses on implementing a Caribbean monitoring network for the prevention of risks to coastal ecosystems (flooding, rising sea levels, coral reefs, mangroves) and adaptation to climate change. It focuses on technical capacity-building, the creation of regional monitoring networks and the harmonisation of monitoring practices. Operating from the BRGM (French Geological Research Bureau) Guadeloupe office, the project brings a wider scope of coastal research and protection to the range of the Sandy Shorelines project. It also forges partnerships with three French Associate Members and at least 13 French and international research organisations.

Ywenn de la Torre and Tibault Laigre of BRGM Guadeloupe, surveying the condition of the coast at Hellshire Beach, Jamaica | Oct. 2019

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Concerted Action

Caribbean Sea Marina Cay and Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

ON BECOMING A MEMBER

THE BVI JOURNEY TO THE ACS The Caribbean Basin is one like none other. The blues and greens of the Caribbean Sea surround 7,000 islands in one large archipelago. Among them are tiny archipelagos, forming many different multi-island states. Membership of the ACS is open to any of these rocks in the Caribbean Sea, and the mainland littorals.

Associate membership is open to the region’s non-independent countries. The British Virgin Islands is the latest of these to formally become part of the Association of Caribbean States. As a brand new Associate Member, and new BVI Premier, the benefits of being part of the Association are very clear to Andrew A. Fahie.

In 2017, when Hurricanes Irma and Maria wrecked their category five destruction on the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, the destruction was “very devastating to the islands”, remarks Premier Fahie.

Even though he was not yet in government, and even though discussions to join the ACS had already been on-going, Premier Fahie saw opportunity in the disaster. The coordination and mobilisation strengths of the ACS, post-disaster, were a clinching factor.

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“Secretary General June Soomer actually visited the Virgin Islands during those times that were very

difficult for the people of the Virgin Islands. She was able to also see the then government and she was able to eventually help to get a lot of the needed aid transported into the Virgin Islands. She was also able to present to the caucus of the day to show the importance of joining even as an Associate Member of the Association of Caribbean States.”

On a return trip to Tortola, the deed was formalised on December 18, 2018. In 2019, the British Virgin Islands attended its first Meeting of the Ministerial Council and first Heads of State/Government Summit in Managua, Nicaragua. “One of the things that we learned very clearly is the need to continue to invite the Caribbean and the wider Caribbean

Concerted Action without getting involved in any political affiliation or any politics, so to speak, looking at the needs of the Caribbean.”

He attended the Third International ACS Cooperation Conference, and was able to see the impact of ACS projects on the people of the Greater Caribbean and hear the testimonials of project donors on working with the ACS. Even in the margins of the meeting, Premier Fahie found value for his country, in attending the Managua Summit. The theme of the meetings was “Uniting Efforts in the Caribbean to Face Climate Change”.

“The networking is good because we in the Caribbean islands, especially, are more vulnerable to a lot of the effects of climate change, so we need each other, to be able to access some of the funding for programmes and projects in order for our territories to become more resilient. It will help us understand that a lot of the things that we have as issues in our respective countries are not unique to us, but we are all experiencing the same challenges, some in some unique areas, but basically the same.”

Premier Fahie says his interactions at the ACS meetings underscore the need for countries of the Greater Caribbean to work together and fully utilise available assistance for sustainable development of the region.

“It helped us realise in the Caribbean that, as I always say, we need each other to survive and it helped us to cement more unity in the Caribbean. This conference was well-organised and I congratulate all who put it together. I also want to thank all those donor organisations who continue to sponsor and actually give contributions, financially and otherwise so that we can combat climate change.”

The Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory, meaning, while they are responsible for governing their own affairs, they remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Tortola is the biggest and most populated of the islands, with approximately 23,000, of the wider national population of 28,000.

BVI Premier Andrew A. Fahie makes a contribution at the 8th ACS Summit, Managua, Nicaragua | 2019

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CHINA & ACS DISCUSS POLICY & COOPERATION Director-General of China’s Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Bentang meeting with ACS Political Advisor Tricia Barrow. The exchange covered China’s foreign policy, ACS development priorities and potential areas of consultation and cooperation between the parties. As the ACS begins implementation of the 2019-2021 Plan of Action adopted by the 8th Summit of the ACS in Managua, Nicaragua, it is actively engaging existing and potential partners to collaborate on projects and initiatives for the benefit of the Member States.

Zhao Bentang, Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of Ministry of Foreign affairs of China and his delegation meet with Political Advisor Tricia Barrow and the ACS delegation | 2019

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YOUTH OF THE GREATER CARIBBEAN In 2019, four young people from three ACS members worked at the Secretariat, developing their professional skills and getting a grounding in Caribbean culture.

Share their experiences | Share their stories

Watch the mini series “The Interns” on the ACS Youtube Channel http://bit.ly/acs-aec-interns-pl

WATCH NOW! www.acs-aec.org | #ACS #AEC

ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES

Notes

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Notes

The Communications Unit Association of Caribbean States 5-7 Sweet Briar Road St. Clair Port-of-Spain Trinidad and Tobago +1 868 622 9575 communications@acs-aec.org www.acs-aec.org

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#ACS #AEC