Azerbaijan expands diplomatic presence in the Caribbean with CARICOM appointment

On February 7, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Cuba, Ruslan Rzayev, officially presented his letter of appointment as the country's plenipotentiary representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to Secretary General Carla Barnett.

According to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Cuba, the meeting included discussions on the prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and CARICOM, per Caliber.Az.

Both sides highlighted CARICOM’s active participation in COP29, with the organisation’s Secretary General and high-level delegations from member states expected to attend bilateral meetings and host a dedicated pavilion at the event.

The discussion also addressed Azerbaijan’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to small island states, including CARICOM members. Emphasis was placed on promoting bilateral collaboration in various fields, with CARICOM expressing appreciation for Azerbaijan’s engagement and reaffirming its readiness to support enhanced cooperation — both directly with CARICOM and bilaterally with its member states.

In addition to these topics, the meeting covered other matters of mutual interest, further strengthening ties between Azerbaijan and the Caribbean regional bloc.

About CARICOM

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consists of 21 countries — 15 full member states and six associate members — home to approximately 16 million citizens, 60% of whom are under 30. The organization represents a diverse mix of Indigenous, African, Indian, European, Chinese, Portuguese, and Javanese communities.

Established on July 4, 1973, with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas by leaders from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, CARICOM was later revised in 2002 to advance economic integration through a single market and economy.

CARICOM operates on four main pillars: economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human and social development, and security. Its key objectives include improving living and working standards, fostering economic growth, expanding trade, enhancing international competitiveness, and strengthening regional cooperation in global affairs.

By Tamilla Hasanova