Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM)

The establishment of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) was the result of a 15-year effort to fulfil the hope of regional integration which was born with the establishment of the British West Indies Federation in 1958. It was a Federal Government drawn from 10 member islands. Although a plan for a Customs Union was drawn up, emphasis was not placed on economic aspects of Federation during the four years of its existence. Economically the Region remained as it had been for centuries and not even Free Trade was introduced between the Member Countries during this period. The West Indies Federation came to an end in 1962 but its end, in many ways must be regarded as the real beginning of what is now the Caribbean Community.

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Associaiton of Caribbean States (ACS)

The Convention Establishing the ACS was signed on 24 July 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation and concerted action among all the countries of the Caribbean, comprising 25 Member States and three Associate Members. Eight other non-independent Caribbean countries are eligible for associate membership.

The objectives of the ACS are enshrined in the Convention and are based on the following: the strengthening of the regional co-operation and integration process, with a view to creating an enhanced economic space in the region; preserving the environmental integrity of the Caribbean Sea which is regarded as the common patrimony of the peoples of the region; and promoting the sustainable development of the Greater Caribbean. Its current focal areas are trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters.

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Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (0ECS) came into being on June 18th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other and promote unity and solidarity among the Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed.

The mission of the OECS is to be a major institutional player at the regional level, contributing to the sustainable development of our member countries by assisting them to maximise the benefits from their collective space, by facilitating their intelligent integration with the global economy; by contributing to policy and program formulation and execution in respect of regional and international issues, and by facilitation of bilateral and multilateral co-operation.

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The Commonwealth

Today's Commonwealth is a world away from the handful of British Dominions which were the first Commonwealth members. It is a unique family of 54 developed and developing nations, a voluntary association of independent sovereign states spread over every continent and ocean.
From Africa to Asia, from Pacific shores to the Caribbean, the Commonwealth's 1.7 billion people make up 30% of the world's population and are of many faiths, races, languages and cultures.

The modern Commonwealth gradually evolved out of United Kingdom's imperial past, mainly through decolonisation, the effects of two world wars and changing patterns of international relations. Today it helps to advance democracy, human rights and sustainable economic and social development within its member countries and beyond. With a common working language and similar systems of law, public administration and education, the Commonwealth has built on its shared history to become a vibrant and growing association of states in tune with the modern world.

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Organization of American States (OAS)

On April 30, 1948, 21 countries of the hemisphere met in Bogotá, Colombia, to adopt the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS), which affirmed their commitment to common goals and respect for each nation’s sovereignty. Since then, the OAS has expanded to include the nations of the Caribbean, as well as Canada.

Through the Summit of the Americas process, the hemisphere’s heads of state and government have given the OAS important responsibilities and mandates, including:

The OAS also brings together government leaders from member states to focus on education, justice, security and other issues that that touch people’s lives in tangible ways.

All 35 countries of the Americas have ratified the OAS Charter and belong to the Organization.

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United Nations

The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership now totals 189 countries.

When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty which sets out basic principles of international relations. According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes: to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights, and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

UN Members are sovereign countries. The United Nations is not a world government, and it does not make laws. It does, however, provide the means to help resolve international conflict and formulate policies on matters affecting all of us. At the UN, all the Member States - large and small, rich and poor, with differing political views and social systems - have a voice and vote in this process.

The United Nations has six main organs. Five of them - the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat - are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the International Court of Justice, is located at The Hague, the Netherlands.

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OTHER MULTINATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

This is a link to a comprehensive listing of multinational organisations.