Foreign policy coordination is one of the Caribbean Community’s four pillars, as outlined in Article 6 of the amended Treaty of Chaguaramas. CARICOM’s bilateral and multilateral ties are founded on democracy, the rule of law, multilateralism, and international cooperation.

The 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, slated for 3-5 July 2024 in Grenada, will be especially noteworthy as the Community grows by admitting Curacao as an Associate Member. The imminent entrance of Curacao is part a wider enlargement agenda, which includes the review of applications from other Dutch overseas territories such as Sint Maarten and French overseas territories such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana. As CARICOM strengthens regional integration, Bermuda is also working toward full membership.

During its 50th anniversary year, the Community expanded ties with both established and emerging partners, focusing on the complicated situation in Haiti. CARICOM viewed the establishment of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and the unanimous election of Dr Garry Conille asInterim Prime Minister of Haiti, as another significant step forward on the path to free and fair elections and the restoration of constitutional order in Haiti.

The 50th Anniversary year also saw stronger ties with Third countries and regional blocs, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Korea, and South Africa, as well as with the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the United Nations.

At its recent meeting in May 2024, the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) emphasised the significance of the Community’s effective involvement in international fora, particularly through candidatures to boost representation in multilateral organizations.

CARICOM’s foreign policy agenda was established in 1972 at the Seventh Standing Committee of the Commonwealth Caribbean Heads of Government. It formalized a resolution to organize a Standing Committee of Ministers to address issues of common interest in foreign policy. In November 1973, the Standing Committee of Ministers held its initial meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, and changed its name to the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).