2 Regional Organizations

In addition to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Organization of American States (OAS), the following regional organizations in the LAC region conduct policy coordination on various issues. There is also the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), which consists of 36 member states. In February, Japan invited 30 young officials from FEALAC member countries to an online program on the theme of “Application of Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction.” Moreover, in September, Japan invited five young administrative officials from FEALAC member countries to Japan to exchange views on the “Application of Science and Technology for Decarbonization.”

(1) Pacific Alliance

The Pacific Alliance (composed of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru; hereafter referred to as “PA”) is currently conducting negotiations with Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Honduras toward these countries becoming member states. In addition, Singapore signed on as an Associate State at the Summit of the PA held in Colombia in January. Furthermore, negotiations are underway for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to join as Associate States.

Japan is an observer country of the PA, and places importance on cooperation with it as a group with which Japan shares fundamental values. At a relevant meeting of the PA held in Mexico City in November, Foreign Minister Hayashi participated in a video message and spoke about the promotion of specific cooperation with the PA in the field of disaster risk reduction and other areas.

(2) Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR)¹

MERCOSUR is a customs union composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. With a few exceptions, tariffs have been eliminated for all goods traded within the region since January 1995. In 2019, negotiations were concluded on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In 2022, negotiations were concluded on an FTA with Singapore, and negotiations are underway with the ROK, Canada, and others. Meanwhile, Venezuela's participation has been suspended² and Bolivia is an Associated State³.

• 1 MERCOSUR: Mercado Común del Sur (Southern Common Market)
• 2 Venezuela's participation qualifications have been suspended as of December 2021
• 3 Bolivia signed the participation protocol in December 2012, and is awaiting approval by the National Congress of Brazil

(3) Caribbean Community (CARICOM)⁴

CARICOM was founded by 14 Caribbean nations for economic integration and foreign policy coordination. It has a large presence in the international arena due to its coordinated actions. Although CARICOM countries include many countries with relatively high incomes, they are threatened by natural disasters such as catastrophic hurricanes almost every year, and also face vulnerabilities particular to small island states due to the small size of their populations and economies. The situation in Haiti remains unstable: the political instability continues as the president was assassinated in 2021, followed by armed groups (gangs) disrupting the distribution of petroleum products, which has led to fuel shortages and severe paralysis of the country's infrastructure necessary for daily life.

Japan is leading its diplomacy in accordance with the three pillars for Japan-CARICOM cooperation ((1) Cooperation towards sustainable development, including overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island states; (2) Deepening and expanding fraternal bonds of cooperation and friendship; and (3) Cooperation in addressing challenges of the international community). Japan is also providing support to high-income level countries based on their development needs and economic capabilities. For example, in February, Japan signed an agreement to provide grant aid to five CARICOM countries to combat damage caused by sargassum seaweed, which is seriously affecting the fishing and tourism industries.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs UESUGI Kentaro and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs AKIMOTO Masatoshi respectively visited Belize and Antigua and Barbuda, which both marked the 40th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Uesugi also visited Trinidad and Tobago, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akimoto visited Jamaica. In addition, at the UN General Assembly in September, Japan and Suriname, which was the CARICOM chair at the time, held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting. On these occasions, Japan and the CARICOM countries exchanged views to strengthen bilateral relations as well as Japan's relations with CARICOM.

Japan-Suriname Foreign Ministers' Meeting (September 21, New York, the U.S.)

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akimoto meeting with Prime Minister Browne (October 4, Antigua and Barbuda)

• 4 CARICOM: Caribbean Community (Member countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Bahamas, Barbados, and Belize)