Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

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Decent Work and Economic Growth
Term Slug
decent-work-and-economic-growth
SDG Goal Number
8

Science and Technology

CARICOM’s science and technology work promotes innovation capacity and technological resilience, focusing on regional coordination that helps Member States translate research, standards, and emerging technologies into practical development outcomes. The programme’s logic is to treat S&T as cross-cutting infrastructure for competitiveness—supporting productivity in priority sectors and strengthening regional problem-solving capability.

Statistics

The Regional Statistics Programme advances evidence-based decision-making by strengthening the regional statistical system, coordinating shared statistical strategies (including census planning), and producing regional databases and publications that enable comparability across Member States. In recent reporting, this work has included regional statistical advocacy and the dissemination of thematic outputs (including climate and COVID-19 related statistical bulletins) to support policy design and monitoring.

Customs and Trade Policy

This programme supports the rules, instruments, and administrative cooperation required for a functioning regional market, with emphasis on trade facilitation and harmonised approaches that reduce transaction costs and improve predictability for firms and consumers. It is positioned as a core enabling pillar of economic integration, aligning customs practice with wider CSME commitments and Community decision-making processes.

CARIFORUM

CARIFORUM work supports coordination among participating states (including CARICOM independent members plus Cuba and the Dominican Republic) and manages key elements of the relationship with external partners, particularly the European Union framework. Annual reporting highlights its role in responding to shocks (including COVID-19), advancing European Development Fund programming, and progressing Economic Partnership Agreement processes

Legal and Institutional Framework

This programme strengthens the legal and governance foundations of the Community by supporting harmonisation, legal advice, and the development and tracking of instruments signed, ratified, or acceded to by Member States. Annual reporting documents legal instruments and protocols that modernise cooperation arrangements and reinforce the institutional machinery needed for integration to function.

Crime and Security

Crime and security work supports regional coordination to address transnational threats and strengthen prevention, safety, and justice outcomes. Recent reporting highlights preparatory and partnership-building work that applies a public-health approach to crime and violence prevention, involving regional security and health institutions and national stakeholders.

Youth

The youth programme develops youth leadership and participation while strengthening prevention-oriented approaches to safety, well-being, and opportunity. Youth engagement is also involved in designing strategies and recommendations, particularly relating to prevention of crime and violence, and youth-focused resilience measures.

Education

Education programming supports regional cooperation in human capital development, aiming to improve the quality, relevance, and portability of learning outcomes. It is positioned within social resilience, with education serving as the pipeline for skills, innovation capability, and inclusive growth.

Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D)

ICT4D (ICT for Development) focuses on leveraging digital technologies to improve service delivery, inclusion, and productivity, aligning “technological resilience” with development outcomes. In the annual-report architecture, ICT is treated as a core enabler across sectors—supporting new ways of working, regional collaboration, and more responsive institutions.

Economic Development Policy, Tax Administration and Research (EDPR)

EDPR supports macroeconomic policy coherence, analytical work, and administrative strengthening that help Member States manage fiscal and economic policy challenges. The programme’s function is to improve the evidence base for regional economic decision-making, including policy research that informs integration and competitiveness strategies.