What Caribbean migration dialogues reveal about the region’s future

By Patrice Quesada, Coordinator, IOM Caribbean

Migration has become one of the defining issues shaping the Caribbean’s future—not simply because people are moving, but because our economies, labour markets, populations and climate realities are changing.

Over the past several weeks, I have participated in migration discussions at the global, regional and national levels. While each conversation was different, they all pointed to the same conclusion: the Caribbean is beginning to recognize migration not only as a border issue, but as a development issue.

The challenge now is moving from dialogue to action.

From Global Commitments to Caribbean Solutions

That shift was evident during the International Migration Review Forum held at the United Nations in New York, where Caribbean participation was particularly strong. Delegations from ten Caribbean countries, including ministerial representatives from Barbados and Belize, reinforced the region’s growing commitment to shaping international migration policy.

Two messages emerged clearly.

First, migration governance must be grounded in each country’s realities and supported by concrete national commitments. Second, migration cannot be viewed in isolation. It is closely linked to labour markets, demographic change, climate vulnerability and long-term development planning.

Every Caribbean Country Has Its Own Story

Across the region, governments are approaching migration through different lenses.

In Saint Lucia, the launch of the country’s draft migration policy reflected concerns about declining birth rates, labour shortages and continued emigration. The discussions recognised that labour needs, diaspora engagement, remittances, return migration and protection must all work together within one national strategy.

Jamaica demonstrated how migration planning can begin at the local level, with Clarendon becoming the country’s first parish to integrate migration considerations into its long-term development strategy.

Guyana, meanwhile, is managing migration in the context of rapid economic growth, balancing increased labour demand with worker protections and orderly migration systems.

Barbados has also begun incorporating migration into broader population planning as it addresses demographic decline and an ageing population.

The Bahamas has focused on disaster preparedness, bringing together government agencies to strengthen national plans for managing inter-island and cross-border movement during emergencies while safeguarding the rights and dignity of displaced people.

Different countries face different challenges—but all are recognising migration as an essential part of national planning.

The Caribbean’s Greatest Untapped Asset

One message resurfaced repeatedly throughout these discussions.

The Caribbean diaspora should no longer be viewed simply as a source of remittances.

Across the region, citizens living abroad continue to contribute through investment, entrepreneurship, professional expertise, advocacy and, in many cases, by returning home with new skills and experience.

The opportunity now is to engage the diaspora more deliberately as a strategic development partner.

Turning Dialogue into Action

Technical discussions held throughout May demonstrated that governments are beginning to move beyond policy conversations.

CARICOM, supported by the International Labour Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank, convened regional labour migration specialists to explore how migration can help address workforce shortages while ensuring fair recruitment and decent working conditions.

Together, these initiatives suggest the Caribbean is entering a new phase—one where migration is no longer viewed simply as movement across borders, but as a tool for economic resilience, demographic planning and sustainable development.

The conversations have begun.

The next challenge is ensuring they lead to meaningful action.

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

For years, Caribbean families have endured relentless increases in the cost of food, fuel, housing and everyday essentials. Now, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions says the worst of those inflationary pressures may finally be easing.

The African Trade Report 2026, published by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), shows inflation across Latin America and the Caribbean fell sharply from 16.6 percent in 2024 to 7.6 percent in 2025. The report compares economic performance across the world’s major regions, placing Latin America and the Caribbean alongside Africa, Asia, Europe and advanced economies.

The figures suggest regional price pressures have moderated considerably after several years of high inflation driven by supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs and global economic uncertainty.

Consumers, however, should not expect prices to suddenly return to pre-pandemic levels.

Economists note that lower inflation does not mean goods and services become cheaper. Rather, it means prices are continuing to rise, but at a much slower pace than before. That distinction helps explain why many Caribbean households may still feel the strain at the supermarket, petrol station and on utility bills despite improving economic indicators.

The report also points to a relatively stable regional economy. Gross domestic product growth for Latin America and the Caribbean held steady at 2.4 percent in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting economic expansion continues, albeit at a modest pace.

For Caribbean governments, the findings provide cautious encouragement. Lower inflation can reduce pressure on household budgets, improve consumer confidence and give central banks greater flexibility as they balance economic growth with price stability.

Perhaps most intriguing is the source of the analysis.

Rather than coming from a traditional Western financial institution, the assessment comes from Africa’s premier trade finance bank. The report treats Latin America and the Caribbean as an important global economic region and repeatedly highlights the growing importance of ties between Africa and its diaspora, including the Caribbean. It argues that stronger economic, trade and investment relationships across what it calls “Global Africa” could become a powerful driver of shared prosperity in the years ahead.

For Caribbean readers, the report offers more than encouraging inflation figures.

It provides an outside perspective on the region’s economic performance and serves as a reminder that the Caribbean is increasingly being viewed not only as a tourism destination, but also as an emerging partner in trade, investment and global development conversations.

As governments continue searching for ways to ease the cost of living, Africa’s latest economic report suggests there is at least one reason for cautious optimism: the pace of price increases across the Caribbean is finally beginning to slow.

Whitehouse, Westmoreland, Jamaica – June 11, 2026 — As part of activities commemorating World Environment Day, 28 students from New Hope Primary and Kings Primary School joined farmers, Forestry Department representatives, environmental wardens, and the Sandals Foundation to plant fruit trees in Whitehouse, Westmoreland. The activity forms part of the Foundation’s support of Jamaica’s national RE-LEAF (Reforestation, Ecological Enhancement and Landscape Framework) Initiative. As part of its commitment, the philanthropic organization has distributed 360 fruit trees to schools and farmers to aid landscape restoration and food security efforts.

A variety of food trees including breadfruit, ackee, jackfruit, mango, avocado, soursop, and Otaheite apple were distributed to Culloden Early Childhood Institution, Whitehouse Basic School, New Hope Primary School, Kings Primary School, Petersville Primary School, and Petersville Early Childhood Institution as well as to members of the Westmoreland Organic Farmers Association to increase access to locally grown produce.

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, said the Organization’s choice of trees was a deliberate effort to build the resilience of the communities. “We chose fruit trees because in addition to helping to restore green space sand biodiversity, they sustain a community’s food security. ”

Recently, Whitehouse farmers joined students of Kings and New Hope Primary School students, Forestry Department representatives, and Sandals Foundation environmental wardens to plant 20 trees – demonstrating a community approach to their landscape restoration efforts.

“Reforestation is about much more than planting trees,” said Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Manager at the Sandals Foundation. ” It is also about ensuring future generations understand their role in protecting the natural resources that sustain our communities. By placing fruit trees in schools and farming communities, we are creating opportunities for learning, nourishment, and long-term environmental stewardship.

For Caribbean communities facing growing pressure on food systems, green spaces, and natural resources, the project offers a practical model for local action. By placing fruit trees in schools and farming communities, the initiative gives residents more than seedlings. It gives them a direct role in producing food, restoring shade, and protecting the environment their children will inherit.

PHOTO CAPTION:

L-R: Dian Holgate, representative of the Forestry Department; Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Project Manager of the Sandals Foundation; Kings Primary School teacher O’Shea Lawrence; farmer, Barbara Stewart, and students Chloe Robinson and Reshaina Samuels of Kings Primary School participate in a tree-planting activity in Whitehouse, Westmoreland. The initiative formed part of the RE-LEAF programme, which distributed 360 fruit trees to schools and farmers across the community.