News

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | 2 April 2026 — The Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), H.E. Noemí Espinoza Madrid, held a virtual meeting with H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reaffirming the growing relationship between the Greater Caribbean and the Gulf region, particularly through engagement with the GCC.

The exchange reflected a shared commitment to advancing practical, results-oriented cooperation in response to evolving global dynamics and regional development priorities. Building on an existing framework of collaboration, both sides underscored the importance of sustained political dialogue and closer partnership between the ACS and the GCC as a key institutional counterpart in the Gulf.

A central focus of the discussion was private sector engagement as a driver of deeper interregional cooperation. Both parties acknowledged the increasingly important role of business communities in shaping economic partnerships and identified opportunities to promote direct exchanges between private sector actors from the Greater Caribbean and GCC member states.

In this context, public-private partnerships were highlighted as an important avenue for mobilizing investment, encouraging innovation, and supporting the development of strategic sectors across both regions. Tourism also featured prominently as an area of established and promising collaboration.

The ACS reiterated its commitment to advancing sustainable and multi-destination tourism initiatives that strengthen regional integration while offering diversified experiences to international visitors.

The GCC expressed interest in further exploring these opportunities, recognizing the Caribbean’s global appeal and the potential for expanded tourism flows and increased investment in the sector. Both sides noted that stronger cooperation in tourism can contribute to economic recovery, job creation, and cultural exchange. 

The dialogue also addressed shared priorities related to climate change, environmental sustainability, and the blue economy. The ACS highlighted its ongoing efforts to implement projects focused on ecosystem restoration, including mangrove conservation, as well as broader initiatives aimed at protecting coastal and marine resources. These priorities align with the GCC’s growing interest in environmental sustainability and climate resilience, opening space for collaboration on initiatives capable of generating both environmental and socio-economic benefits.

In addition, the conversation explored opportunities for cooperation on water security solutions, including desalination technologies, which are of particular relevance to island and coastal states of the Greater Caribbean. 

Both organizations also considered ways to leverage existing platforms and partnerships to advance their cooperation agenda. In particular, upcoming international forums and regional initiatives were identified as strategic opportunities to convene stakeholders, including governments and private sector representatives, to further develop concrete proposals and collaborative projects.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continue technical-level engagement and to identify priority initiatives that can be advanced in the short and medium term.

The ACS and the GCC reaffirmed their shared vision of promoting inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development, while strengthening interregional cooperation as a means of delivering tangible benefits to their peoples.This renewed engagement reflects the growing importance of South-South and triangular cooperation in addressing complex global challenges and underscores the potential of the Greater Caribbean and the GCC, within the broader Gulf region, to serve as strategic partners in advancing a more sustainable and interconnected future.