Functions . The objectives of the ACS are enshrined in the Convention and are based on the following: the strengthening of the regional co-operation and integration process, with a view to creating an enhanced economic space in the region; preserving the environmental integrity of the Caribbean Sea which is regarded as the common patrimony of the peoples of the region; and promoting the sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean.

Organisation . The main organs of the Association are the Ministerial Council , which is the principal organ for policy-making and direction of the Association, and the Secretariat.

There are five Special Committees on : Trade Development and External Economic Relations; Sustainable Tourism; Transport; Natural Disasters; and Budget and Administration.  There is also a Council of National Representatives of the Special Fund responsible for overseeing resource mobilisation efforts and project development.

Members . The Member States shall have the right to participate in discussions and to vote at meetings of the Ministerial Council and Special Committees of the Association . The list of Member States is as follows:

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

Associate Members . Associate Members shall have the right to intervene in discussions and vote at meetings of the Ministerial Council and Special Committees on matters which affect them directly, falling within their constitutional competence. The list of Associate Member s is as follows:

Aruba , France (on behalf of French Guiana , Guadeloupe and Martinique ), the Netherlands Antilles and Turks and Caicos.

Founding Observers. In view of the emphasis upon promoting, consolidating and strengthening the regional cooperation and integration process , and in recognition of the unique role envisaged in the Convention for the sub regional integration organisations in the fulfilment of the purposes and functions of the Association, the Secretariat entered into special arrangements with the Caribbean Community ( CARICOM ) Secretariat , the Latin American Economic System ( SELA ) , the Central American Integration System ( SICA ) and the Permanent Secretariat of the General Agreement on Central American Economic Integration ( SIECA ) to facilitate their participation in the works of the Ministerial Council and the Special Committees.

The CARICOM , Secretariat, the Latin American Economic System (SELA ), the Central American Integration System (SICA ) and the Permanent Secretariat of the General Agreement on Central American Economic Integration (SIECA ) were declared Founding Observers of the ACS in 1996. The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) were admitted as Founding Observers in 2000 and 2001 respectively.

Observers. Observers may be admitted to the Association on terms and conditions as may be determined by the Ministerial Council, in accordance with Article V of the Convention Establishing the Association of Caribbean States. The Observer Countries to the ACS are:

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, India, Italy, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Korea, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Social Partners. The participation of Social Partners in the Association should contribute effectively to the accomplishment of the goals set forth in the Plan of Action adopted at the Summit of Heads of State and Government in Port of Spain, as well as those contained in the Work Programme of the Association, pertinent decisions of the Ministerial Council, and the activities outlined in the Work Programmes of the Special Committees. The Social Partners of the ACS are: