Colombia Assumes the Presidency of the Association of Caribbean States

Colombia assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) for one year. It now leads a group of 25 member states and seven associates, focusing on stronger regional integration and cooperation.

The ACS’s goals include enhancing regional cooperation and integration, creating a broader economic area in the region, preserving the environmental integrity of the Caribbean Sea—regarded as a common heritage of the region’s peoples—and promoting sustainable development in the Greater Caribbean.

Colombia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Gilberto Murillo, represented the country at the presidential handover ceremony in Suriname. Murillo highlighted Colombia’s ambition to become a political, economic, and cultural benchmark in the Caribbean and beyond. This goal will be pursued by promoting productive transformation, sustainable tourism, climate mitigation, and improved connectivity.

The Association of Caribbean States and the Caribbean in Colombia

Established in 1994 in Cartagena, Colombia, the ACS is celebrating thirty years of efforts to create a common economic space, preserve the sea, and promote sustainable development among its members.

“We recognize the importance of assuming the presidency of this Council and are firmly committed to strengthening its work and driving the revitalization of the organization that you have initiated with your leadership,” stated the Colombian Foreign Minister.

Murillo highlighted Colombia’s strong commitment to becoming a ‘Power of Life’ (the motto of President Petro’s government) and to strengthening its diplomacy for life and nature, reinforcing the progressive approach in its foreign policy.

The Foreign Minister emphasized, “In my country, in the Colombian Caribbean, where we aim to be a power of life and are focused on promoting environmental diplomacy that builds peace, democracy, and social justice, we also want to extend these proposals beyond our borders, with the firm intention of addressing the multidimensional challenges of the Greater Caribbean arising from the climate crisis.”

In 2023, Colombia was elected president of the ACS’s Special Committee on Trade Development and External Economic Relations, vice president of the Special Committee on Cooperation and Resource Mobilization, and rapporteur of the Special Committee on Budget and Administration for the 2023-2024 period.

Cooperation and dynamism are the goals of Colombia’s presidency

Cooperation and dynamism are Colombia’s primary objectives during its presidency, aiming to develop several areas such as productive transformation, sustainable tourism, climate mitigation, and improved connectivity.

Ministry sources indicate that this period represents an opportunity to reposition the country as a political, economic, and cultural benchmark in the Caribbean and the broader region. Additionally, at the inauguration ceremony of Colombia’s presidency, it was announced that San Andres and Providencia will be key centers for connectivity, health, education, and culture in the Caribbean Basin.

“In this context, we extend an invitation to the 10th Summit of Heads of State and Government and the 30th Ministerial Meeting of the Greater Caribbean, which will be held next year in Colombia,” said Murillo.

Colombia has also played a significant role as Vice President of the Caribbean Sea Commission of the ACS and in developing a roadmap for recognizing the Caribbean Sea as a Special Area in the context of sustainable development.