The Commonwealth Secretariat (hereinafter referred to as "the Secretariat") and the Caribbean Community (hereinafter referred to as "CARICOM") acting through the CARICOM Secretariat:

Considering that the Secretariat is an international body established to promote the interests of all member countries of the Commonwealth by, inter alia, co-ordinating consultation and co-operation among the respective member countries, collecting and disseminating information for their common use, providing technical assistance and training to them at their request, organising meetings and conferences in areas of common concern and putting into effect decisions for collective action;

Considering that CARICOM is an inter-governmental body established by the Treaty done at Chaguaramas on 4 July 1973 with the objective of achieving among its Member States integration in economic matters, co-ordination of foreign policies and functional co-operation in a number of areas;

Recognising that the majority of the Member States of CARICOM are also members of the Commonwealth;

Recognising further the desirability of the Secretariat and CARICOM co-operating in the promoting of fundamental political values as set out in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991;

Considering that to achieve shared objectives, it is desirable for the Secretariat and CARICOM to co-operate and collaborate with each other where appropriate over a wide range of issues;

Desirous of co-ordinating their efforts wherever mutually beneficial with a view to pursuing their common aims;

Have agreed as follows:
1. Co-operation

1.1 The Secretariat and CARICOM will co-operate with each other as appropriate on matters of common interest within the scope of the general objectives of their respective Organisations. 1.2 This co-operation shall extend, where relevant to programmes in which the Secretariat and CARICOM are engaged in similar areas of activities. 1.3 The Secretariat and CARICOM agree to co-operate with each other as appropriate in the exchange of personnel or services. The financial implications of such exchanges will be agreed on a case by case basis between the two Organisations.

2. Exchange of Information

2.1 The Secretariat and CARICOM shall exchange information and documents concerning matters of mutual interest that are not subject to special restrictions. 2.2 The Secretariat and CARICOM will seek to inform each other of developments and progress in their respective activities which are of mutual interest.

3. Consultation

3.1 The Secretariat and CARICOM agree to consult regularly or as appropriate on matters of common interest in their respective Member States. 3.2 The Secretariat and CARICOM will transmit information as appropriate on their regional activities and will seek to take into consideration proposals which are made by each party in respect of those activities, with a view to securing effective co-ordination between them and avoiding unnecessary duplication.

4. Joint Implementation of Projects

4.1 In order to more effectively attain their shared objectives, the Secretariat and CARICOM will aim to undertake joint implementation of programmes and projects where this is practicable and, to that end, harness the experience and resources of the two Organisations. 4.2 The Secretariat and CARICOM may also consider, where this is deemed feasible, co-financing arrangements through the appropriate organs of their respective Organisations, and with other Organisations or Institutions, for the effective implementation of projects which are in consonance with areas identified by them.

5. Reciprocal Representation

The Secretariat and CARICOM undertake to invite each other, whenever it is useful to do so, to send observers to technical and specialised meetings on matters of mutual interest and other meetings to which observers are admitted.

6. Technical Meetings

The Secretariat and CARICOM may, as appropriate, agree to convene joint meetings of experts to deal with subjects of interest to both parties under their combined auspices, and in accordance with arrangements to be decided upon in each particular case.

7. Co-operation in Policy oriented and Technical Studies

7.1 The Secretariat and CARICOM upon the request of either party agree that where appropriate they shall assist one another in undertaking policy and technical studies on subjects of interest to both parties. 7.2 Any such request for assistance shall be examined by the Secretariat and CARICOM and, where feasible and within the framework of their approved Programme Budget and activities, they shall use their best endeavours to provide assistance in such forms and on such conditions as shall be agreed upon between them.

8. Administrative Arrangements

The Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of CARICOM shall make administrative arrangements designed to promote effective collaboration and liaison between their respective Organisations.

9. Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding

9.1 The Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of CARICOM shall from time to time hold consultations on such questions as may arise on subjects covered by this Memorandum of Understanding. 9.2 The Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of CARICOM may, for purposes of the application of this Memorandum of Understanding, enter into such supplementary arrangements as may be deemed desirable in the light of experience.

10. Entry into Force, Amendment and Duration

10.1 This Memorandum shall come into force as soon as it has been signed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of CARICOM on behalf of their respective Organisations. 10.2 This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended with the consent of both parties. 10.3 This Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated by mutual consent or may be terminated by either party giving the other party six months' notice in writing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have signed this Memorandum of Understanding at New York on this 16^th day of February Nineteen hundred and ninety-nine.

................................................................ For the Commonwealth Secretariat .............................................................. Witness

EDWIN W. CARRINGTON For the Caribbean Community .............................................................. Witness