Martinique officially took its seat for the first time in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during the opening ceremony of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, held from July 5-8 in Saint Lucia.
This first participation gives tangible expression to Martinique’s accession as an Associate Member, which entered into force on June 16, 2026, following the signing of the accession agreement onFebruary 20, 2025 in Bridgetown and the ratification of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of CARICOM. During the opening ceremony, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, officially welcomed Martinique as the Community’s seventh Associate Member.
“It took many years for us to be accepted into CARICOM. This shows how difficult it can be to belong to two institutional frameworks at once. But today, we are here,” said President of the Executive Council in Martinique, Serge Letchimy.
“This should not be seen as an end in itself. It is only the beginning. We must now move into action. Businesses, financing and investment must now come on board.”
Outgoing Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, said Martinique’s arrival illustrates the organisation’s core purpose: bringing the countries and territories of the Caribbean together around a concrete integration project that serves its people.
