Martinique and Barbados have taken a significant step toward strengthening regional collaboration with the signing of a new cooperation agreement aimed at advancing development, cultural exchange, and joint action on shared Caribbean challenges.
The agreement was signed on July 7 on the sidelines of the CARICOM Summit, where Martinique participated for the first time since becoming an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in February 2025.
The agreement was signed by Serge Letchimy, President of the Executive Council of Martinique, and Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
A press release from Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM) shared that the partnership represents a move by Martinique to deepen its engagement within the Caribbean region and translate its renewed regional presence into practical cooperation in areas that support economic growth, cultural connections and resilience.
For Letchimy, the agreement signals Martinique’s intention to play an active role in regional affairs.
“Martinique is not simply taking its seat at the CARICOM table. It is here to build, propose, cooperate, and act. With Barbados, we are opening a new chapter: one of useful, operational, organised and results-driven Caribbean cooperation. We share a common responsibility: to turn our geographical, historical and human proximity into concrete projects for our peoples.”
The cooperation framework covers several key areas identified as important to the future of Caribbean societies, including cultural and creative industries, sports, education, vocational training, disaster risk management, health, tourism, fisheries, and trade facilitation.
The agreement is expected to support initiatives focused on expanding opportunities for young people, strengthening skills development, improving economic links between territories, increasing resilience to climate-related risks, supporting productive sectors and using culture as a tool for identity, cooperation and development.
The release said that to ensure the partnership moves beyond commitments and delivers measurable results, the agreement establishes specific monitoring and implementation structures.
A Joint Cooperation Committee, led by representatives from Barbados and the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique, will oversee the setting of priorities, approval of programmes, monitoring of activities, assessment of outcomes and recommendations for future initiatives.
A Technical Secretariat will also be responsible for tracking projects and supporting implementation. A joint annual report will review completed activities, resources used, performance indicators, challenges encountered and plans for the following year.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years and can be renewed, providing a structured framework for continued cooperation between Martinique and Barbados.
Through the partnership, Martinique said it is reaffirming its goal of serving as a bridge connecting the Caribbean with Europe, the Americas and Africa while contributing to regional development and collaboration.
