24 March 2010: The first CARIFORUM-EU Political Dialogue was held in Kingston, Jamaica, on 23 March 2010, to discuss issues of common interest. Among the challenges facing the Caribbean, delegates discussed the global financial crisis, regional food security, high dependence on energy and problems related to climate change and natural disasters.

Participants discussed the idea of a bi-regional EU-CARIFORUM conference on climate change ahead of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, to be held in Cancun, Mexico, at the end of the year. The EU expressed willingness to work closely with partners to find common ground and provide assistance to the Caribbean region. [CARICOM Press Release]