Secretary Manalo Headlines PH’s Historic Engagement with Caribbean Community
Secretary Manalo with CARICOM Foreign Ministers at COFCOR 28 led by COFCOR 28 Chair, Saint Kitts and Nevis Foreign Minister Denzil Lewellyn Douglas
FRIGATE BAY 12 May 2025 — Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo met with Foreign Ministers of Caribbean Community this week in St. Kitts and Nevis, a historic engagement affirming the Philippines’ broadening ties with the global community.
Secretary Manalo was invited to address the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during its 28th Meeting on 8 - 9 May 2025, chaired by Foreign Minister Denzil Lewellyn Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The COFCOR is an organ of the Caribbean Community, a 52-year old grouping promoting economic integration and policy coordination among its 15 member states and six associate members. It has the mandate to promote relations with international organizations and third states.
Secretary Manalo’s address highlighted the commonality of interests between the Philippines and Caribbean states as maritime nations with shared challenges and which have growing influence in shaping action on global issues like climate change, fairer global finance, and multilateralism based on international law.
On May 8, Secretary Manalo signed a Joint Communique with Grenada Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export, Joseph Andall, to establish formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Grenada, heralding a new era in the friendly ties between the two countries. With this, the Philippines now has diplomatic ties with all 14 CARICOM countries.
Secretary Manalo met with Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister H.E. Terrance Michael Drew, and conveyed the congratulatory letter of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and St. Kitts and Nevis. Both sides pledged to promote the relationship and took note of the presence of about 200 Filipino nationals in the hospitals and hotels in the eastern Caribbean nation of 48,000 people.
2025 is a year of milestones for the Philippines and a number of Caribbean nations, with the 25th anniversaries of formal diplomatic relations with Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In 2026, the Philippines will also observe anniversaries of its diplomatic relations with Haiti (80 years), Jamaica (75 years), Bahamas (45 years), Saint Lucia (10 years).
In his bilateral meetings, Secretary Manalo and his counterparts discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in health, maritime training, education, among others, considering existing arrangements including between the Philippines and Jamaica. Secretary Manalo and the Foreign Ministers agreed that international cooperation, especially among developing countries, is more relevant now in the face of global uncertainties.
Secretary Manalo’s address to the COFCOR emphasized the solidarity between the Philippines and Caribbean countries on key global issues. The Philippines and members of CARICOM are champions of climate justice, resilience and sustainability, and oceans governance and maritime security based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of The Sea. The Philippines and Caribbean countries also place priority on food security, a subject underlining the intersectionality of climate, biodiversity and social resilience. They also advocate in various multilateral fora for a more equitable global economic order, a fairer international finance architecture and a rules-based global order.
Secretary Manalo underscored the Philippines’ constructive and deep engagement in the work of the United Nations. He stated that the Philippines would bring this depth of experience and steadfastness if elected as a member of the Security Council for 2027-2028.
In keeping with the Philippines’ support for global South-South Cooperation and innovative and inclusive development approaches, Secretary Manalo announced a Philippine contribution to the CARICOM Development Fund.
Caribbean Foreign Ministers welcomed the Philippines’ vision for promoting deeper collaboration, as like-minded countries facing common challenges as maritime nations. They conveyed their appreciation for the Philippines’ initiatives to invigorate cooperation with CARICOM member states bilaterally and multilaterally. They noted the presence and contributions of Filipino nationals in the Caribbean.
Secretary Manalo also met CARICOM Secretary General, Ms. Carla Barnett, to explore pathways for collaborating on climate adaptation, agriculture, ocean governance, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Formalizing the Philippines’ accreditation to the CARICOM was also discussed.
Secretary Manalo also took the opportunity of this historic visit to meet the members of the Filipino community in the twin federated island nation. END
Secretary Manalo and Grenada Foreign Minister Joseph Andall signing a Joint Communique to establish formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Grenada on 8 May 2025
Call of Secretary Manalo on Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Michael Drew
Bilateral meeting with Saint Kitts and Nevis Foreign Minister Denzil Lewellyn Douglas