Policy paper

Communiqué: Twelfth UK-Caribbean Forum

Published 7 April 2026

Introduction

1. The Twelfth UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum was held in London, United Kingdom, on 10 March 2026. The Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and the Caribbean States reaffirmed their commitment to the Forum as an important vehicle for dialogue, partnership and cooperation, reflecting the special relationship that exists between the UK and the Caribbean.

2. The Caribbean and the UK share a strong and enduring relationship based on mutual respect, common values and a shared history. Ministers welcomed progress since the Eleventh UK-Caribbean Forum, hosted in Kingston, Jamaica, in May 2023, and recognised the role that the Forum has played in driving sustained collaboration, addressing shared interests and concerns, promoting people-focused prosperity and sustainable development, and responding to evolving geopolitical realities, since its first staging in 1998.

3. Ministers acknowledged that, in a more contested and volatile world, the UK- Caribbean partnership is more relevant than ever before and should be refined to focus on targeted and specific commitments of strategic importance, to advance salient shared priorities.

4. Ministers agreed to refocus their partnership to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing geopolitical environment and reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and the international rules-based order as the primary safeguard of the interests of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the global stage. Ministers agreed to strengthen their partnership in the areas elaborated in this Communiqué and its accompanying Action Plan.

Trade, growth and investment

5. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting stronger economic, trade and investment relations between the UK and the Caribbean, including through the full implementation and functioning of the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (CARIFORUM-UK EPA) particularly its development dimensions, which has been provisionally applied since 1st January 2021.Ministers commended the CARIFORUM-UK EPA as a trade and development enhancing Agreement with the potential to support trade diversification in CARIFORUM States; eliminate barriers to UK-Caribbean trade; provide preferential market access for exporters, including service providers; reduce bureaucracy which impedes trade; strengthen supportive legislation to stimulate investment and growth; and support the attainment of sustainable economic development.

6. Ministers affirmed their commitment to eliminating market access barriers to UK-Caribbean trade in keeping with the provisions of the EPA regarding the promotion of sustainable development to increase bilateral trade and investment.

7. Ministers also welcomed the commitment by the UK and the Caribbean countries which are parties to the CARIFORUM-UK EPA to continue implementation of their respective tariff and non-tariff commitments. Ministers recognised the important role of the Joint CARIFORUM-UK Council to supervise and accelerate the implementation and functioning of the CARIFORUM-UK EPA, including streamlining management processes, and agreed that the UK and Caribbean signatories to the EPA will convene the second meeting of the Joint Council in 2026, along with other joint institutions, to support effective EPA implementation.

8. Ministers acknowledged that CARIFORUM States continue to face challenges in taking full advantage of the EPA, including as a result of capacity constraints in the region and market access barriers, and called upon the Parties to work cooperatively through the joint institutions of the Agreement to develop solutions to identified challenges.

9. The UK reaffirmed its EPA commitment to provide support at the national and regional levels for EPA implementation, including through the provision of assistance for the strengthening of the trade infrastructure in the Caribbean States and enhancing the capacity of regional institutions involved in supporting EPA implementation.

10. Ministers renewed their commitment to a universal, rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable and transparent multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core and which recognises the special requirements of small vulnerable economies such as those of the Caribbean.

Financing for development

11. Ministers recognised that a decade after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international financing has not been adequately mobilised at scale or allocated at the terms necessary to support more sustainable development. Ministers further acknowledged that the Forum on Financing for Development of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (FfD Forum) and the UN80 reform programme present an opportunity for the UK and Caribbean countries to work together on better realising the SDGs and driving forward international financial reform.

12. Ministers reaffirmed the need for reforms to the existing international financial architecture, aligned with the SDGs, and address gaps and shortfalls and facilitate easier access to affordable and concessional finance. Ministers welcomed the leadership of the Caribbean in championing such reforms, including through the Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative co-chaired by the Governments of Jamaica and Canada, the Bridgetown Initiative and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS and acknowledged the role of the Caribbean Development Bank in delivering on sustainable development objectives for the region.

13. Ministers welcomed the use by the CDB of a combination of the Multi-dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) with income measures for the Special Development Fund (SDF) 11 and expressed support for the continuation of work to develop robust metrics of vulnerability and resilience and for their application in the Caribbean region. They further called on international financial institutions to consider the implementation of the MVI and more appropriate economic indicators for SIDS in recognition of their unique vulnerabilities.

14. Ministers recognised the continued commitment of the UK to advocate in partnership with Caribbean countries in multilateral fora, including in the G7, G20, Commonwealth and OECD, to facilitate enhanced understanding of their specific needs and vulnerabilities and the role of the current ODA eligibility criteria in perpetuating inequitable access to grant and concessional financing.

15. Ministers also noted upcoming international events, including those with particular relevance for increasing members’ economic and climate resilience, and addressing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) vulnerabilities, such as the next meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in Antigua & Barbuda in November 2026.

16. Ministers, underscoring the importance of the tourism sector, agreed to jointly support initiatives that raise awareness and advance capacity-building to foster resilient tourism development, including the annual observation of Global Tourism Resilience Day.

Country situations

17. Ministers reaffirmed their commitments to Haitian-led initiatives in addressing the country’s multidimensional crises. They emphasised the necessity of improving the security environment, promoting credible electoral processes, and strengthening national institutions during the transitional phase. Furthermore, they expressed continued support for inclusive dialogue among all Haitian stakeholders. The Ministers emphasised that enhancing security is essential to address critical humanitarian concerns, alleviate the hardships faced by Haiti’s population, facilitate economic recovery, and uphold the integrity of forthcoming elections. They reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively with regional and international partners to promote stability in both Haiti and the broader Caribbean region.

18. Ministers welcomed the adoption of the National Pact for Stability and the organisation of elections signed by Haitian political parties and civil society stakeholders , and the work ongoing under the leadership of Prime Minister Didier Fils Aimé towards improving the security environment, intensifying preparations for the holding of national elections, and promoting social and economic recovery. Ministers also reaffirmed their full support for the efforts being made by CARICOM, the United Nations, the Organisation of American States (OAS), Haitian stakeholders, and the international community, to address the multidimensional crises affecting the Republic of Haiti, which require coherent, sequenced, and mutually reinforced action across security, governance and electoral preparedness. They recalled the UN Security Council mandate on the establishment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) as well as the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), which should make a qualitative difference to ongoing efforts to restore stability, improve security and advance the aspirations of the Haitian people.

19. Ministers reaffirmed the critical importance of CARICOM’s ‘Good Offices’ in Haiti, particularly the pivotal role of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in providing the situational analysis and stakeholder engagement necessary for a return to constitutional order. Ministers welcomed the decision by CARICOM Heads of Government to provide for the continuation of the activities of the Eminent Persons Group.

20. Ministers expressed their continued support for Belize in the ongoing process at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in respect of Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claims against the territory of Belize. Ministers urged Belize, Guatemala, and the Organisation of American States (OAS) to continue to fully implement the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in place since 2005. Ministers repeated their request for both countries and the OAS to renew their efforts to establish a mechanism of cooperation in the Sarstoon River, which defines the southern boundary between Belize and Guatemala.

21. Ministers noted that Oral Hearings in the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which delimited the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, are expected to take place in May 2026, and that the Court’s Judgement on the Merits is expected by the end of the year. Ministers urged Venezuela to continue its participation in the judicial process.  They lamented the fact that Venezuela has breached the two Provisional Measures Orders issued by the ICJ and called on Venezuela to respect the ICJ’s Judgement when it is handed down.

22. Ministers reaffirmed their longstanding and unambiguous support for the preservation and maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize and Guyana. Ministers firmly underscored that the principle of the right to self-determination forms a core part of the UN Charter and international law and recognised the historical importance of self-determination in the political development of the Caribbean.

Defence, justice, security and gender-based violence

23. Ministers reaffirmed the strategic importance of continued collaboration between the UK and the Caribbean, including Overseas Territories, to address serious and organised crime, including activities of gangs, the trafficking of illicit arms, ammunition, persons and narcotics; cyber and maritime security; as well as illicit finance and corruption. These efforts are supported by information and intelligence sharing, training, capacity-building initiatives, and assistance in implementing regional and international security cooperation agreements in keeping with the Montego Bay Declaration on Transnational Organised Crime and Gangs adopted by CARICOM Heads in Jamaica on 8 July 2025, and the Northern Caribbean Security Summit (NOCSS), hosted in the Turks and Caicos on 13 February 2026.

24. Ministers renewed their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and hostile cyber activity, and reaffirmed their commitment to working together within the international community to ensure that their responses in the fight against these threats are consistent with international law and conventions, including effective implementation of UN sanctions and following the Overseas Territories Cyber Security Summit hosted in London on 2-4 February 2026.

25. Ministers also renewed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the development of criminal justice systems fit for 21st century challenges, including through the expanded use of technology, training and capacity building, and exchange of best practices to support due process, judicial efficiency, and public trust in the rule of law.

26. Ministers acknowledged that Haiti’s security issues are exacerbated by transnational crimes such as arms trafficking, drug trafficking, and illicit financial activities, all of which affect the wider Caribbean region. They also acknowledged the humanitarian challenges and regional impact of the crisis on security and migration, emphasising the need for sustained international cooperation. The Ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening regional efforts through enhanced intelligence sharing, improved border management, maritime collaboration, and increased support for Haitian law enforcement agencies.

Education, food, health and energy security

27. Ministers acknowledged efforts being made across the Caribbean to embrace clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency, including initiatives supported by the Global Clean Power Alliance. Ministers committed to deepening their collaboration to increase access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, and improve energy resilience against external shocks. Ministers also called for continued support and investment by the international community to scale up the transition in Caribbean countries towards efficient and sustainable forms of energy.

28. Ministers noted that the Caribbean is geographically well-positioned to take advantage of renewable energy resources and technologies, including geothermal power, and welcomed the UK’s commitment to share its knowledge and expertise as well as provide capacity building in renewable energy. Ministers also expressed their continued support for the work of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in advancing a sustainable energy transition in the Caribbean.

29. Ministers acknowledged that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) Fishing in the Caribbean contributes to food insecurity and is linked to other crimes committed within the maritime space and agreed to collaborate on efforts to eliminate IUU Fishing.

30. Ministers commended the progress made since 2024, through the UK’s partnerships with the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in developing national and regional capacity to detect and respond to rising rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including more than twenty laboratories upgraded with real-time diagnostic capability and hundreds of experts trained. Ministers also welcomed the UK’s partnership with the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to address the AMR knowledge gap in the region.

31. Ministers recalled the longstanding cooperation in education between the UK and the Caribbean, particularly through the Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship programmes. The UK agreed to explore new partnerships, including through the private sector, to enhance access to, and increase the number of scholarships for the Caribbean.

32. Ministers recognised the important contribution of the British Council to advancing STEAM skills among young people in schools, expanding opportunities for the UK-Caribbean cultural exchange, and positioning the creative industries as a viable sector for trade and growth. Ministers welcomed continued collaboration to enable access to up to 10,000 additional UK professional and university qualifications for the Caribbean by the end of 2026.

33. Ministers acknowledged that food security in the region is exacerbated by several exogenous factors including climate extremes, economic shocks, and disruptions to global supply chains. Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting healthy food and nutrition in the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which is the leading cause of death and disability in the Caribbean and a major challenge to regional socio-economic development.

Immigration

34. Ministers agreed to continue dialogue through existing mechanisms on the impact of UK visa policies on Caribbean countries.

Windrush

35. Ministers acknowledged the UK’s commitment to delivering justice for the victims of the Home Office Windrush Scandal through the provision of appropriate documentation and compensation that reaffirms their dignity by being accessible, timely, non-discriminatory, and commensurate to the damages suffered, specifically under the Windrush Scheme (Documentation), Windrush Compensation Scheme and the Windrush Day Grant Scheme. Ministers also welcomed the UK’s appointment of an independent UK Windrush Commissioner and acknowledged its continuing efforts to rebuild trust with the Windrush Generation. Ministers also highlighted the invaluable contributions that successive generations of the Caribbean diaspora continue to make to the UK, including post-war rebuilding efforts and the development of a modern, multi-cultural Britain.

Reparatory justice

36. Ministers exchanged views on the CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice.  Ministers acknowledged the growing international awareness of colonial legacies, as demonstrated by the UN Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034).  Acknowledging the agreement at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2024 on the need for “meaningful, truthful and respectful conversations” on the transatlantic slave trade, Ministers agreed to continue structured dialogue on colonial legacies, including at the next UK-Caribbean Forum in 2028. Ministers also noted the UK proposal to digitise records relating to the transatlantic slave trade.

Climate change, the environment and disaster risk financing

37. Ministers noted the successful progress made at recent UNFCCC COPs, from the Glasgow Climate Pact at COP26, establishment of the Fund for Loss and Damage at COP27, the UAE Consensus and agreement to phase away from fossil fuels in energy systems at COP28 and the agreement of the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) at COP29, and the Bélem Political Package at COP30. Ministers noted the importance of countries updating and improving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with the Global Stocktake process and recognised the improved NDCs that had been put forward by the UK and many Caribbean countries since the last UK-Caribbean Forum. Ministers looked forward to the UK and Caribbean countries participating in pre-COP31 in the Pacific in 2026, COP31 in Türkiye in 2026 and COP32 in Ethiopia in 2027.

38. Ministers welcomed the UK’s ongoing use of its private finance and renewable energy expertise and a range of partners to support CARICOM and its agencies to unlock private finance, increase national capacity and identify mutually beneficial investment opportunities for UK and Caribbean firms.

39. Caribbean Ministers agreed to further strengthen Caribbean representation in international fora on climate, environment and nature and engage with third countries on increasing ambition on climate finance, Nationally Determined Contributions and ocean protection.

40. Ministers recommitted to joint advocacy to encourage greater ambition to keep 1.5⁰C alive and called in this regard for greater ambition and action in 2030 and 2035 NDCs.

41. Ministers welcomed the commencement of implementation of the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) from 2026. Ministers called for the full implementation of the NCQG by 2035 including the goal to mobilise at least $300 billion per year by 2035 for climate action in developing country Parties, from a wide variety of sources, with developed country Parties taking the lead, and the call on all actors to work together to enable the scaling up of financing to developing countries for climate action from all public and private sources to at least $1.3 trillion per year by 2035.

42. Ministers welcomed the call for efforts to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035 and urged the scaled-up capitalisation of an effective and efficient fund for responding to loss and damage, including the 50% allocation floor that has been agreed for LDCs and SIDS in the fund’s start-up phase. They recalled the importance of transparency for all countries in their climate finance reporting recognizing the need for continued support to SIDS to meet their obligations under the enhanced transparency framework.

43. Ministers recognised the need to optimise access to public and grant-based resources and highly concessional finance, particularly for adaptation and responding to loss and damage in developing country Parties, and those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and have significant capacity constraints especially for SIDs and LDCs, taking into account the need for debt sustainability.  Ministers further called for implementation of the NCQG enhanced access features, recognising the significance for SIDS of improved access across different funding channels.

44. Ministers highlighted the deep connections between UK and SIDS and welcomed the UK-SIDS strategy 2026-2030 which sets out the major strands of UK support to SIDS’ climate and economic resilience.

45. Ministers affirm the importance of comprehensive disaster risk management as a central component for the development of Caribbean countries, given the high exposure of the region and its communities to extreme events and their impacts. In this context, Ministers highlighted the need to strengthen actions aimed at prevention and risk reduction, promoting regional cooperation and strengthening resilience in our countries.

46. Ministers recognised the progress that is being made in many Caribbean countries and in the UK to phase out fossil fuels and scale up renewable energy; noting the challenges that many Caribbean countries face in doing so. Ministers also noted the economic opportunities that arise from scaling up renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy.

47. Ministers called for continued implementation of commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and welcomed Guyana’s leadership on the complementary Global Biodiversity Alliance, which the UK joined in January 2026. Ministers also welcomed the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty to ensure the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

48. Ministers welcomed the agreement of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships and reaffirmed their commitment to working multilaterally through the IMO to adopt and implement a global regulatory framework to deliver the Strategy’s goals, including promoting a just and equitable transition and continued work to improve existing energy efficiency measures as part of the IMO’s ongoing review. Ministers also reaffirmed the International Civil Aviation Organization’s climate commitments, including the net zero 2050 goal and a 5% reduction in emissions through Sustainable Aviation Fuels by 2030. Ministers further recognise the importance of support for implementation to enable all states to contribute to decarbonising aviation.

49. Ministers recognised the critical importance of marine resources, particularly to SIDS, as sources of food security, nutrition, employment, foreign exchange, and recreation. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the development of the Blue Economy, in ways that ensure ocean ecosystem health, support livelihoods, and promote economic growth. Ministers reaffirmed the importance of achieving a fair and balanced outcome on the remaining components of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which is sensitive to the realities of Caribbean countries and promotes the sustainable development of their fisheries industries within the Blue Economy.

50. Ministers underscored the important role of forests in climate mitigation, including by promoting the adoption and implementation of the Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Frameworks in SIDS to foster information exchange, collective problem-solving, and access to opportunities for mobilizing climate finance.  Ministers recognized that fostering a united effort to address climate mitigation and adaptation goals is imperative, noting that this is essential for SIDS that have maintained forest cover and high-carbon ecosystems.

51. Ministers further recognised the practical support being provided by the UK to Caribbean countries, including through the Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience (SIDAR) Programme; Sustainable Blue Economies (SBE) Programme; and the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme; the Climate Ambition Support Alliance (CASA) programme supports the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Ministers acknowledged the ongoing work by the UK of the Blue Planet Fund to support developing countries to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty.

52. Ministers underscored that support for short-term recovery and longer-term resilience building in the face of natural disasters remains integral to the survival of SIDS, and in particular those of the Caribbean, which is the second-most disaster-prone region in the world. Ministers recognised the devastating impacts of recent natural disasters including Hurricanes Melissa and Beryl, and the UK’s leadership and support in preparing for and responding to these crises, including by building resilience, unlocking multilateral support and scaling pre-arranged finance. Ministers further acknowledged the effective cooperation across the Overseas Territories and the Caribbean in response to Hurricane Melissa with supported relief, recovery and resilience efforts.  Ministers re-affirmed their support for the Global Coalition to Scale-up Pre-Arranged Financing, launched by the UK and Bridgetown Initiative under the Sevilla Platform for Action, seeking to increase global pre-arranged finance from 2% to 20% by 2035. They agreed to support further analysis of the Sovereign Catastrophe Bond mechanism developed by Jamaica, the World Bank, and USAID and with financial support from the UK,  as a tool to increase financial resilience against disasters.

53. Ministers committed to further sharing of technical expertise and capacity building to strengthen early warning systems, enhance national and local risk profiles, such as through the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems initiative. Ministers also committed to the continued promotion of bilateral, regional, and international partnerships, such as through the Risk informed Early Action Partnership to comprehensively manage disaster risk in accordance with the Sendai Framework, including through a blend of technical cooperation, technological support, and financing.

54. Ministers agreed to maintain the important links between Caribbean and UK humanitarian and military personnel as well as local authorities in support of Caribbean countries affected by natural disasters.

55. As the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund comes to an end in 2026/27, Ministers recognised the value it has provided in financing critical economic infrastructure to increase resilience to natural disasters and climate change and drive economic development and social inclusion in beneficiary countries.

Common values and shared interests

56. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to human rights for all, and to democratic values, good governance, and the rule of law, territorial integrity, sovereignty, multilateralism, respect for the rule-based international order, and maintaining the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

57. Ministers reaffirmed their grave concern at the proliferation of conflicts and violations of international law, particularly human rights and humanitarian law, which undermine international peace and security. Ministers called for full adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the Commonwealth Charter, particularly the prohibition on the threat or use of force.

58. Ministers acknowledged the need for greater action to tackle violence against women and girls and welcomed campaigns by the UK and Caribbean Countries on this matter. Ministers recognised the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups, and agreed to continue efforts to ensure that the response to challenges like climate change are gender-responsive, disability inclusive, and incorporate the voices of marginalised groups including Indigenous Peoples.

Commonwealth

59. Ministers congratulated the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on being the next host for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in St. John’s from 1 to 4 November 2026. Ministers acknowledged the contributions that the Commonwealth continue to make to the development of economic, democratic, and environmental resilience in the Caribbean including through the Commonwealth Finance Access Hub, Commonwealth Meridian, Commonwealth Blue Charter and its good offices work. Ministers further recognised the Commonwealth’s ongoing support to Belize and Guyana in their respective border disputes.

Conclusion

60. Ministers agreed that to sustain the forward momentum of the UK-Caribbean partnership, progress in relation to the issues and commitments outlined in the present Communiqué will continue to be monitored and reviewed by both sides, guided by the Action Plan of the Twelfth UK-Caribbean Forum. Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of the Quarterly Meetings between the Caribbean Heads of Mission accredited to the Court of St. James and the UK Minister of State for the Caribbean in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in supporting dialogue and monitoring progress against commitments agreed at Forum meetings.

61. Caribbean Ministers expressed appreciation to the UK for its hospitality in hosting the Twelfth UK-Caribbean Forum in London, and Ministers agreed to hold the Thirteenth staging of the Forum in a Caribbean country in 2028.

London, United Kingdom

10 March 2026