The maritime space is a key frontier for the Caribbean States’ aspiration and journey to enhance the lives and livelihoods of their citizens, create meaningful long-term jobs, reduce national debt levels, advance prosperity, increase resilience to climate change, and spur the diversification of national economies - all while maintaining the integrity and health of coastal and marine ecosystems.

To unlock the potential and immense wealth of the blue economy through a safe and secure enabling environment, the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) and the US Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) partnered to develop the first-ever Maritime Security Strategy for the Caribbean member states.

Developed through an inclusive consultation process with Caribbean States, regional agencies and development partners, the CMSS provides a sustainable and inclusive framework, aligned to the 20230 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its goals, to create a safe and secure maritime sector, contributing to global peace and security. The CMSS outlines the Caribbean States’ vision for the future and provides a clear direction “to protect Caribbean maritime interests, inclusive of the Blue Economy, by bolstering maritime security and governance to promote prosperity for all”.