CARICOM and Germany hold first strategic dialogue on development cooperation

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Germany convened the First CARICOM-BMZ Strategic Dialogue on Development Cooperation in Georgetown, Guyana on 15 July to take stock of existing cooperation and explore strategic avenues for a more robust and resilient partnership in the years ahead.

The hybrid Dialogue brought together representatives of CARICOM Member States, the CARICOM Secretariat, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Foreign Office and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). It was the first engagement under the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation between CARICOM and Germany, which provides for regular strategic dialogue.

The Dialogue was co-chaired by Ambassador Miriam Mac Intosh, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of Suriname, on behalf of CARICOM, and Mr. Christoph Rauh, Deputy Director-General for Bilateral Cooperation (Africa, Asia, Latin America) at BMZ, on behalf of Germany

Ambassador Mac Intosh thanked Germany, specifically BMZ, for its long-standing support of Caricom’s sustainable development goals. It was noted that the dialogue was an important event to strengthen collaboration, improve coordination and increase the effectiveness of joint development efforts. She highlighted Germany’s support in regional priorities like the blue economy, biodiversity protection, climate-resilient energy, circular economy initiatives, sustainable waste management, and the development of green and blue workforce skills

“This Dialogue provides a valuable opportunity to take stock of our existing cooperation, deepen mutual understanding of our respective priorities, and explore strategic avenues for a more robust and resilient partnership in the years ahead,” Ambassador Mac Intosh said.

“In doing so, we reaffirm our shared commitment to development cooperation that is responsive to regional priorities, supports national ownership and firmly adheres to the principle of leaving no one behind.”

Mr. Christoph Rauh affirmed Germany’s commitment to partnering with CARICOM on issues of mutual interest.

“Germany values its longstanding partnership with CARICOM and remains committed to working together to advance practical, impactful cooperation that responds to shared values as well as the needs and priorities of the Caribbean region,” Mr. Rauh said, emphasizing Germany’s interest in deepening collaboration on climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable energy and inclusive development.

Mr. Rauh noted since 2003, Germany has contributed over 150 million to support Caricom’s Climate and sustainable development effort, during the dialogue both sides reviewed six ongoing projects focused on areas such as biodiversity, renewable energy, the blue circular economies and skills development. They also discussed how to improve the effectiveness of their partnership through better coordination and project implementation.

Caricom and Germany discussed opportunities to expand their partnership in areas such as climate resilience, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, disaster preparedness, circular economy, sustainable livelihoods and access to development financing. The dialogue reaffirmed both parties’ commitment to continuing their collaboration and promoting sustainable and inclusive development across the Caribbean

Source:CARICOM