Spain expands support for CARICOM public health

CARICOM and the Government of Spain have signed a new agreement aimed at strengthening public health cooperation and regional resilience across the Caribbean.

The accord, finalized on 6 May 2026, confirms Spain’s contribution of US$700,000 toward a regional initiative titled “Strengthening Regional Leadership, Governance and Coordinated Action in Health to Address New and Existing Health Challenges in the Caribbean Community.” The programme is being carried out jointly by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

The agreement was signed during the Tenth Meeting of the Joint Technical Committee of the CARICOM Spain Joint Fund for Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Signatories included Carla Barnett, Secretary General of CARICOM, and María Cristina Pérez Gutiérrez, Spain’s ambassador to the regional body.

Speaking during the meeting, Elizabeth Solomon highlighted the significance of the long standing partnership between CARICOM and Spain.

“The CARICOM Spain Joint Fund continues to play an important role in advancing regional priorities through cooperation that has evolved into a results oriented programme of support that is both practical and responsive, delivering tangible benefits to the people of the Caribbean Community,” Solomon said.

Ambassador Pérez Gutiérrez also reaffirmed Spain’s support for the region, stating, “Spain values its partnership with CARICOM and remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen resilience, sustainability and regional cooperation.”

The committee also reviewed two new regional project proposals valued at a combined USD 700,000.

One proposal focuses on the Greening Caribbean Ports Programme, an initiative designed to improve sustainable maritime infrastructure across Caribbean Small Island Developing States. The project is expected to be implemented by the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency together with the Port Management Association of the Caribbean.

A second proposal seeks to strengthen emergency response systems through the Next Level Regional Response Mechanism. That initiative is expected to be led by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

In a statement following the meeting, CARICOM said both parties reaffirmed the Joint Fund as an important mechanism for advancing regional priorities and strengthening technical cooperation between Spain and the Caribbean Community.