A new framework for dialogue among CARIFORUM, FCORS and OCTs is closer to being completed following a consultation that was held in Barbados over the past few days.

Director General of CARIFORUM, Mr. Percival Marie, also shared this view and said that the discussions were useful and the recommendations would be finalied over the next few weeks to be presented for a decision at the ministerial level.

Recommendations for a dialogue framework at the political and technical levels were developed through a consultancy and first presented at a Regional Consultation in Barbados, 11-12 April 2018. However, officials did not agree to the recommended platform, but rather called for, its revision with focus on specific elements for deepening cooperation and collaboration. The areas included Human and Social Development; Trade and Investment; Disaster Risk Management; and Crime and Security.

Participants of the Forum, which concluded on Wednesday, reviewed a new report presented by a consultant and discussed various options then made a decision  in relation to the way forward. According to Mr. Marie, the outcomes of the consultation will be circulated among the delegates for their review at the technical level after which the recommendations will be presented to the Ministers for their approval.

A two-day Regional Workshop on the Monitoring Framework for the Implementation of the Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) will follow the consultation. It will be held at the same venue.

There will be approximately 30 participants from Regional Implementing Agencies of EDF CRIP. The training targets personnel with responsibility for reporting to the CARIFORUM Directorate and the CARICOM Secretariat on the EDF Programmes. Its purpose is to introduce stakeholders to the EDF Monitoring Framework for the CRIP. The aim is also to build the capacity of stakeholders to use the EDF CRIP Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting (M,E &R) tools; and finalise EDF CRIP Monitoring Framework and associated tools for use by stakeholders.

The consultation and EDF monitoring workshop are being funded under the 10th Europen Development Fund Regional Indicative Programme through a dedicated Technical Cooperation Facility (TCF) which, in part, aims to strengthen cooperation among CARIFORUM States, the FCORs and Caribbean OCTs.