By Belize Live News Staff: Belize had a seat at the table this week as foreign ministers from Canada and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) met to strengthen a partnership that touches on security, trade, and climate resilience across the region. Representing Belize was H.E. Oscar Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, Science and Technology.
The 2026 Canada-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Group Meeting was co-chaired by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand, and Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Honourable Christopher Sinckler, on behalf of the chair of CARICOM’s foreign relations council. The talks were held alongside the 2026 Organization of American States General Assembly.
For small states like Belize, the meeting carried real weight. Ministers endorsed a new action plan built on three pillars, namely competitive and resilient economies, climate action, and regional security and stability. They stressed the need for clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and sustainable financing to make sure the plan delivers results rather than remaining on paper.
Security featured heavily in the discussions. Ministers looked at threats such as transnational organized crime, gangs, irregular migration, and the crisis in Haiti, noting that these challenges are increasingly connected. They called for a coordinated approach that strengthens maritime security, cyber resilience, intelligence sharing, and efforts to disrupt criminal networks across the region.
The situation in Haiti drew particular attention. Ministers voiced concern over the political, security, and humanitarian crisis there and its effect on the wider region, including drug and arms trafficking. They backed continued international support for the Gang Suppression Force and committed to supporting the timely renewal of its mandate at the United Nations Security Council in the early fall.
Economic resilience was also high on the agenda. Ministers pointed to the link between affordable energy and economic growth, the value of programs like CARIBCAN that give Caribbean products duty-free access to the Canadian market, and the need to reform international financial systems so that vulnerable middle-income island states can better access affordable financing.
Looking ahead, ministers agreed to keep the momentum going, directing officials to finalize the action plan and to hold a Senior Officials’ Dialogue this fall to push implementation forward.
