Martinique Joins CARICOM: A Historic Step Toward Regional Integration and Economic Growth

At the 48th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting in Barbados, a landmark agreement was signed between the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, in her capacity as Chair of CARICOM, and the President of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM), Serge Letchimy, formalizing Martinique’s accession to the regional organization.

This historic signing marks a significant milestone in Martinique’s longstanding pursuit of regional integration, following its official request to join CARICOM over a decade ago. However, the final step toward full accession remains – the approval of the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities by the French National Assembly – before Martinique can officially attain Associate Member status.

Martinique’s accession represents a pivotal opportunity to enhance economic and cultural exchanges between the territory, as an integral part of the European Union, and the 21 CARICOM nations and territories, which together comprise approximately 18 million people. With this new status, Martinique will be well-positioned to spearhead joint initiatives in key sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, and disaster risk management, further strengthening its role as a strategic link between the Caribbean and Europe.

Becoming an Associate Member of CARICOM is a critical step in Martinique’s broader vision for regional integration. The territory has previously secured Associate Membership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in 2012, the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in 2014, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in 2015.

Martinique’s inclusion in CARICOM is expected to bring substantial benefits to the region, including:

• Economic Growth: Expanding access to both Caribbean and European markets while diversifying trade and investment opportunities.
• Enhanced Cooperation: Strengthening partnerships in critical areas such as healthcare, education, security, and crisis management.
• Increased Mobility and Employment: Facilitating professional and academic exchanges for Caribbean consultants, entrepreneurs, and students.
• Tourism, Sports, and Culture: Encouraging greater cultural and sporting collaboration, reinforcing regional identity, and boosting Caribbean tourism.

Through this accession, Martinique reaffirms its deep Caribbean identity and unwavering commitment to advancing economic development, cultural exchange, and innovation within the CARICOM framework.