Purpose of the Side Event
This high-level dialogue aims to reposition Caribbean regional integration as a central pillar of its
resilience, competitiveness, and SDG acceleration by:
• Advancing a shared understanding of the structural and institutional barriers limiting integration
• Identifying actionable pathways to close the implementation gap within CARICOM frameworks
• Strengthening the strategic partnership between CARICOM and ECLAC
• Situating Caribbean integration within a broader Latin American and global development context

The format of the side event would be a moderated panel with interactive exchanges between high-
level panelists as well as with member states and subregional organizations, which seeks to facilitate

facilitate strategic dialogue on the imperative of re-energizing and repositioning Caribbean regional
integration. The duration would be 60–75 minutes.

Expected Strategic Outcomes
• A strengthened positioning of Caribbean regional integration within the Forum’s agenda
• Actionable policy messages to accelerate implementation of the CARICOM integration framework
• Reinforced role of ECLAC as a strategic partner and bridge between Latin America and the Caribbean
• Greater visibility of Caribbean priorities in regional development narratives and processes
• Enhanced alignment between integration efforts and SDG acceleration pathways

Strategic Positioning within the Forum
This side event contributes to the Forum’s objectives by:
• Bringing a focused Caribbean perspective into regional SDG discussions
• Linking regional integration with resilience, productivity, and structural transformation
• Advancing a pragmatic, evidence-based implementation-oriented agenda grounded in policy coherence