Opening Special Feature
Defending National Interests through Co-Creation with the World Cooperation with Global Partners
The Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference
What is CARICOM (Caribbean Community)?
CARICOM is a regional organization composed of 14 countries and one region,(1) mainly consisting of former British Caribbean colonies. The member states are diverse, ranging from the Bahamas, which has a relatively high GDP per capita, to Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Despite this diversity, the member states all share vulnerabilities as small island states to natural disasters and external economic fluctuations, and they often act in coordination in the international arena. Japan has promoted dialogue and cooperation with CARICOM based on the three pillars of its CARICOM policy: “Cooperation towards sustainable development, including overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island states;” “Deepening and expanding fraternal bonds of cooperation and friendship;” and “Cooperation in the international arena.”
(1) Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Montserrat (British Overseas Territory).
The Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference: Objectives and Outcomes
●The year 2024 was celebrated as “Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024,” as it marked the 30th anniversary of the start of the Japan-CARICOM Consultations, as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. (See the Column on page 115.) At the end of the year, Japan held the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference in Tokyo in December, inviting the foreign ministers and other officials from CARICOM member states.(2) This was the first Ministerial-Level Conference held in Tokyo in 10 years.
●At the meeting, Japan expressed its determination to expand cooperation with CARICOM member states as partners in addressing global challenges based on the “three pillars of Japan's CARICOM policy,” amid the increasingly severe international situation and global challenges surrounding Japan and CARICOM. Japan stated that under the “Diplomatic Initiative toward Latin America and the Caribbean,” it will build new forms of cooperation in fields that are becoming increasingly important, particularly maritime issues, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and human security. The CARICOM member states expressed their support of these views.
Reception for the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference (December 12, Iikura Guest House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo)
Foreign Minister Iwaya, Foreign Minister Vince Henderson of Dominica (Co-chair, front left), and foreign ministers of CARICOM member states at the joint press conference (December 14, Tokyo)
●In addition, the member states concurred that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion constitute a challenge to the international order based on the rule of law, which is the common foundation of peace and prosperity, and that no country can remain unaffected, making it necessary for Japan and CARICOM member states to cooperate in responding. Furthermore, they affirmed their cooperation toward shared goals in fields such as nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, reform of the UN Security Council, and climate change.
●Following the conference, the participating countries adopted the Ministerial Joint Statement between Japan and CARICOM as an outcome document. Furthermore, the countries signed and exchanged notes on “The Project for Industrial Development and Technology Transfer in the Member States of the Caribbean Community (in cooperation with UNIDO),”(3) grant aid totaling 730 million Japanese yen to be provided to the 14 CARICOM member states.
Courtesy call on Prime Minister Ishiba by foreign ministers of CARICOM member states (December 13, Tokyo; Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Foreign Minister Iwaya serving as Chair (December 14, Tokyo)
(2) Countries and other participants in the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference (in alphabetical order): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the CARICOM Secretariat.
(3) Grant aid (totaling 730 million yen) that supports the provision of equipment using Japanese companies' technologies in fields such as water and agribusiness, the invitation of investment officials, and technical cooperation in industrial fields. This cooperation is expected to contribute to overcoming the vulnerabilities of CARICOM member states, with the aim of addressing development challenges and promoting industrial diversification by utilizing the expertise of Japan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Bilateral Meetings with CARICOM Member States
On the occasion of the CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference, Foreign Minister Iwaya held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of 12 CARICOM member states who visited Japan. In addition, State Minister for Foreign Affairs MIYAJI Takuma held meetings with vice minister-level officials of two countries and a representative of the CARICOM Secretariat. The ministerial level conference and bilateral meetings strengthened multilayered relations between Japan and CARICOM member states.
Japan-Jamaica Foreign Ministers' Meeting (December 12, Tokyo)
Japan-Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministers' Meeting (December 14, Tokyo)