Documents

Executive Summary

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) fosters consultation, cooperation, and concerted action to advance sustainable and inclusive development across the Greater Caribbean.

The Member States of the ACS share common aspirations for sustainable development, resilience, and regional integration. Yet they continue to confront interlinked challenges — including high exposure to climate risks, structural inequalities, and widening social disparities — that impede progress toward inclusive and sustainable development. Weakening globalization, erosion of multilateralism, and intensifying geopolitical competition have disrupted trade, investment, and global governance.

For the Greater Caribbean — characterized by a mix of Small Island Developing States and larger, interconnected continental economies — these shifts have deep implications for trade, transport, and external economic relations, exacerbating pre-existing structural challenges and vulnerabilities across the region.

At the same time, the Greater Caribbean holds vast potential for sustainable and inclusive growth. The region’s blue economy — rooted in the shared Caribbean Sea, its coasts, and marine resources — offers opportunities to diversify production, generate green and decent jobs, and build resilience against external shocks.

Marine and coastal tourism, fisheries, renewable marine energy, sustainable shipping, and ecosystem restoration can collectively create new value while preserving natural capital. Sustainable tourism, culture, and heritage provide pathways to strengthen local identity, social cohesion, and economic renewal. Strategic investments in these sectors — guided by equity and environmental stewardship — are essential to fostering inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

In this complex context, the ACS is uniquely positioned to convene its diverse Member States and partners around actionable solutions that safeguard regional autonomy, environmental integrity, and sustainable development. Its capacity to foster unity and resilience — amid climate threats and geopolitical volatility — positions it as a vital platform for regional integration and collective action.

The Strategic Plan to 2035 revitalizes the ACS for a new era, sharpening its organizational vision and mission while enhancing coherence, efficiency, and impact. Grounded in the principles of consultation, cooperation, and concerted action, it strengthens the Association’s ability to respond effectively to evolving regional and global dynamics, translating vision into measurable results.

Developed through a rigorous and participatory planning process, the Plan provides an integrated, synergistic, and forward-looking framework through which the ACS will address five interrelated Strategic Priorities:

•    Preservation and Conservation of the Caribbean Sea — protecting marine ecosystems, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable use of resources.

•    Trade and External Economic Relations — strengthening intra-regional and international trade, diversifying exports, and modernizing investment systems to expand market access and global competitiveness.

•    Risk Reduction with a Climate Justice Approach — building equitable disaster risk reduction systems rooted in participatory governance and accountable risk management.

•    Transport and Connectivity — modernizing and integrating transport networks and digital infrastructure to improve efficiency, resilience, and connectivity.

•    Sustainable Tourism, — promoting responsible practices for the development of regenerative tourism that protects the environment, safeguards cultural heritage, and empowers communities for inclusive growth.

The Plan defines clear outcomes to be achieved by 2035, supported by targeted interventions, three cross-cutting approaches, and four critical accelerators.

The Plan also outlines how the ACS will strengthen its institutional coherence to become more strategic, adaptive, and accountable — ensuring that the necessary capacities are in place to deliver measurable results and lasting impact.

Implementation will unfold through two successive five-year Implementation Plans, guided by a results and resources framework and a dynamic monitoring and learning process. This ensures adaptability to evolving regional realities and policy needs.

The ACS Strategic Plan to 2035 positions the Organization as a trusted regional mechanism — capable of advancing climate action, sustainable development, and social equity across the Greater Caribbean. It is a call to unity, innovation, and cooperation to ensure a resilient, inclusive future for present and future generations.

Grounded in five mutually reinforcing priorities — Caribbean Sea, Trade and Economy, Climate Justice, Transport and Connectivity, and Tourism and Heritage — the Plan provides the architecture through which the ACS will deliver collective impact. Its adoption marks a decisive step toward a more united, resilient, and sustainable Greater Caribbean.