Regional

What is CARICOM?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas is preparing to host regional leaders at the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, next week, as Prime Minister Philip Davis also chairs the meeting.

Published

3 years ago

February 8, 2023

Sasha Lightbourne

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas is preparing to host regional leaders at the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, next week, as Prime Minister Philip Davis also chairs the meeting.

But what exactly is CARICOM and why should you care?

The Caribbean Community, better known as CARICOM, was created on July 4, 1973, with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Signatories included Prime Ministers Errol Barrow of Barbados, Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Jamaica’s Michael Manley and Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago.

Today, CARICOM is made up on 20 countries, and The Bahamas is one of 15 member states, with five associate members.

Sixteen million citizens live in CARICOM countries. Sixty percent of those residents are under 30, mainly indigenous peoples, descendants of Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese and Japanese people.

The community is multi-lingual; with English as the major language complemented by French and Dutch and variations of these, as well as African and Asian expressions.

Stretching from The Bahamas in the north to Suriname and Guyana in South America, CARICOM states are considered developing countries.

With the exception of Belize, in Central America, and Guyana and Suriname in South America, all CARICOM members are island states.

While these states are all relatively small, both in population and size, there is also great diversity in geography and population as well as the levels of economic and social development.

Like The Bahamas, CARICOM will celebrate its 50th anniversary in July.