Belize's Membership In Caricom: What You Need To Know

Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states and five associate members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Belize is considered part of the Caribbean region and the historical British West Indies. CARICOM was established in 1973 by its four founding members: Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. Belize joined CARICOM on 1 May 1974, and gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.

Belize's CARICOM membership

Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states and five associate members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Belize joined CARICOM on 1 May 1974, and it is considered part of the Caribbean region and the historical British West Indies.

CARICOM was established in 1973 by its four founding members—Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago—who signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The organisation has the primary objective of promoting economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensuring that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and coordinating foreign policy.

Belize is one of the 15 member states of CARICOM, which are classified as developing countries. These countries share similarities and challenges, such as their proximity to major markets in North and South America and their transition from agriculture or mining to a service-driven economy, particularly in tourism and financial services. They also face challenges such as frequent natural disasters and a lack of economies of scale due to their small size.

As a member of CARICOM, Belize subscribes to the Community's principles outlined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (2002). Leaders of member states, including Belize, shape the Community's policies and priorities through biannual Conferences of Heads of Government. All members have an equal say, regardless of size or economic status, ensuring that every member has a voice in shaping the Caribbean Community.

CARICOM's economic integration

Belize is a member of CARICOM, having joined on 1 May 1974. CARICOM, or the Caribbean Community, is an intergovernmental organisation and political and economic union of 15 member states and five associated members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. It was established in 1973 by the smaller, largely English-speaking countries of the Eastern Caribbean.

CARICOM's primary objectives are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and coordinate foreign policy.

History

CARICOM was established on 1 August 1973 when the Treaty of Chaguaramas took effect. Its four founding members were Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The organisation superseded the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), which was organised to provide continued economic linkage between the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean after the dissolution of the West Indies Federation.

Activities

CARICOM's primary activities include:

• Coordinating economic policies and development planning
• Devising and instituting special projects for the less-developed countries within its jurisdiction
• Operating as a regional single market for many of its members (Caricom Single Market)
• Handling regional trade disputes

Structure

CARICOM is comprised of 15 member states and five associate members, mostly island states in the Caribbean stretching from the Bahamas in the north to Suriname and Guyana in South America. The organisation breaks its 15 member states into two groups: Less Developed Countries (LDCs) and More Developed Countries (MDCs). The LDCs are the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The MDCs are the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

CARICOM contains a quasi-Cabinet of the individual Heads of Government, who are given specialised portfolios of responsibility for regional development and integration. The Secretariat of the Caribbean Community is the Chief Administrative Organ for CARICOM, and the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community is the chief executive and handles foreign and community relations.

Challenges and Opportunities

CARICOM faces dual challenges in its quest for economic integration through the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Firstly, it must complete the intraregional integration scheme, including tightening a loose common external tariff and intraregional trade policy, integrating more fully labour and capital markets, and deepening “functional cooperation” – pooling resources to improve efficiency in the delivery of public services. Secondly, it must devise and implement strategies for inserting the CARICOM economies into a dynamic and competitive global economy in the wake of expiring preferential trade arrangements with its two largest trade partners, the United States and the European Union (EU).

Recent Developments

In 2012, CARICOM announced they considered making French and Dutch official languages. In 2013, Belize became the second Central American country to be awarded certification for the elimination of malaria by the WHO. In 2015, Belize banned offshore oil drilling within 1 km of the Barrier Reef and all of its seven World Heritage Sites. In 2017, the Republic of Cuba and CARICOM signed the "CARICOM-Cuba Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement" to facilitate closer trade ties. In 2020, the People's United Party (PUP) defeated the United Democratic Party (UDP) for the first time since 2003, winning 26 out of 31 seats in the National Assembly. In 2023, Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling.

CARICOM's foreign policy coordination

Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), having joined on 1 May 1974. CARICOM is an intergovernmental organisation that acts as a political and economic union of 15 member states, 14 nation-states, and one dependency, as well as five associated members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean.

CARICOM was established in 1973 by four founding members—Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago—who signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The organisation superseded the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), which was organised to provide continued economic linkage between English-speaking Caribbean countries after the dissolution of the West Indies Federation.

One of the primary objectives of CARICOM is to coordinate foreign policy. Article 6 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas states that one of the objectives of the Community is "enhanced coordination of Member States' foreign and [foreign] economic policies". Article 16.3 requires the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) to "establish measures to coordinate the foreign policies of Member States... and seek to ensure, as far as practicable, the adoption of Community positions on major hemispheric and international issues".

Despite the stated objectives, achieving cohesion in foreign policy positions has proven challenging. CARICOM member states are sovereign states, and as small developing states, economic considerations often dominate national interests. In the Cold War era, CARICOM countries faced challenges in coordinating foreign policy, with economic incentives and ideological influences sometimes taking precedence over cohesion.

However, CARICOM member states have achieved unified positions on significant issues, such as apartheid in South Africa, calls to end the US trade and economic embargo against Cuba, the question of Palestine, and decolonisation.

In recent times, CARICOM member states continue to grapple with balancing economic advancement and idealism in their foreign policy decisions. They frequently coordinate positions on social, economic, environmental, and humanitarian issues, speaking and acting with one voice in various global intergovernmental organisations and encounters with third states.

CARICOM's diplomatic representatives also cooperate and coordinate activities in various capitals, such as Washington DC, London, Ottawa, and Geneva. The organisation recognises that enhancing regional foreign policy coordination is a work in progress, and wider discussions and greater transparency within the member states can benefit foreign policy formulation.

CARICOM's human and social development

Belize is a member of CARICOM, also known as the Caribbean Community. CARICOM is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states, 14 nation-states, and one dependency, as well as five associated members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Belize joined CARICOM on 1 May 1974 and gained independence from the UK on 21 September 1981.

• Health Improvement: COHSOD promotes the improvement of health services within the community, aiming for efficient and affordable access for all members.
• Education Development: The council works towards developing and organising educational and training facilities, including elementary, advanced vocational, and technical training.
• Labour Relations: COHSOD aims to improve the living and working conditions of workers and foster harmonious labour relations within the community.
• Youth and Women Empowerment: The council establishes policies and programmes to encourage and enhance the participation of youth and women in social, cultural, political, and economic activities.
• Cultural and Sports Development: COHSOD promotes the development of culture and sports programmes within the community.
• Healthy Human Environment: The council supports the establishment and maintenance of a healthy human environment through special focus programmes.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community handles human and social development, working closely with COHSOD to implement these initiatives and promote the well-being of CARICOM members.

CARICOM's security

Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), having joined on 1 May 1974. CARICOM is an intergovernmental organisation that acts as a political and economic union of 15 member states and five associated members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean.

To achieve these goals, CARICOM established the Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), which serves as the nerve centre for the region's multilateral Crime and Security management architecture. IMPACS is responsible for implementing and developing projects related to crime and security, providing information and analysis, and coordinating with national and international crime prevention agencies.

Additionally, CARICOM has implemented various strategies and plans to enhance citizen security, such as the CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy (CCSS) and the Caribbean Action Plan for Social Development and Crime Prevention (CSDP). These plans aim to strengthen regional security systems, enhance human resource capabilities, and deepen crime prevention initiatives.

CARICOM also prioritises the protection of its citizens' human rights and social justice. The organisation has established several frameworks and policies to promote and safeguard these rights, including the Regional Framework of Action for Children (RFAC) and the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Phase III (CCHIII).

In summary, CARICOM's security agenda encompasses a range of initiatives to create a safe and just community for its citizens, addressing issues such as crime prevention, justice reform, border control, and human rights protection. Through its various agencies, strategies, and plans, CARICOM strives to enhance the security of its member states, including Belize.

Frequently asked questions