News

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – February 12, 2025 – The Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), H.E. Noemí Espinoza Madrid, attended a working lunch today with H.E. Didier Chabert, Ambassador of France to Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting served to reaffirm the strong and enduring relationship between France and the ACS, as well as to explore opportunities for further collaboration in advancing sustainable development across the Greater Caribbean.

France's engagement as an Associate Member of the ACS and their continued support for regional cooperation, was noted during the meeting. This engagement is reflected through its overseas territories of French Guiana and Saint Barthélemy, with Guadeloupe and Martinique holding Associate Member status.

The discussions also highlighted France’s contributions to ACS projects, including the France Volontaires programme, the Guadeloupe Interns Programme, and the Sargassum Conference and Project Steering Committee. These initiatives have played a crucial role in enhancing capacity-building and knowledge exchange throughout the region.

Looking toward future collaboration, Secretary-General Espinoza Madrid and Ambassador Chabert explored France’s "green and inclusive growth" development cooperation approach within the region. This approach aligns with ACS priorities, particularly in climate justice, renewable energy, and economic inclusion.

Secretary-General Espinoza Madrid underscored her vision for revitalizing the organization by inviting France to actively participate in the upcoming series of meetings to be held in May 2025 in Colombia, which includes the 9th International Cooperation Conference, the 17th Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean, and the 10th Summit of Heads of States and Governments. She emphasized the significance of a high-level French delegation at these pivotal events, highlighting its role in reinforcing regional cooperation and advancing the ACS’s mission of sustainable development across the Greater Caribbean.