CARICOM Names Ministers to Lead Climate Talks
Nine Caribbean ministers were appointed to coordinate the region's positions across key areas of the COP31 climate negotiations.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) selected Belize's Minister Orlando Habet to lead negotiations on climate finance and markets ahead of the COP31 climate summit. Ministers from nine member states were appointed to lead the region's engagement across critical climate negotiating areas.
Why it matters
The appointments are intended to strengthen the region's voice on climate issues that directly affect Caribbean countries. CARICOM ministers are calling for a balanced, ambitious and implementation-focused outcome at the summit.
CARICOM appointed ministers from nine member states to lead its climate negotiating positions. The region is pressing to protect the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming limit, though the negotiation outcome remains unknown.
The players
Orlando Habet
Habet is Belize's Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management and leads CARICOM's climate finance and markets negotiations.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
CARICOM is a regional integration organization of Caribbean nations that coordinates member states' positions in international forums.
Marsha Caddle
Caddle is Barbados' Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment and is part of the regional finance negotiation team.
Michael Joseph
Joseph is Antigua and Barbuda's minister and is part of the regional finance negotiation team.
Patrick Loys Brunings
Brunings is Suriname's Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment and will co-lead markets negotiations with Habet.
The details
Antigua and Barbuda's Michael Joseph and Barbados' Marsha Caddle will co-lead finance-related areas, while Suriname's Patrick Loys Brunings will join Habet on markets. Ministers will also lead talks on adaptation, the cover decision, the global stocktake and just transition, loss and damage, and science.
Timeline
The COP31 climate summit is scheduled for November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
Season Trajectory
The appointments set the Caribbean's negotiating structure ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, where climate finance and markets will be central. Small island and Caribbean states have long pressed for finance and loss-and-damage commitments at UN climate summits.
The appointments determine which ministers represent the Caribbean in negotiations on climate finance and markets. The outcomes of COP31 may affect funding and policy frameworks that influence the region's economies.
The takeaway
Regional coordination through CARICOM gives small Caribbean states a unified voice in global climate talks. Watching which negotiating priorities the ministers secure at COP31 will show how that voice translates into outcomes.
Further reading
Explore more business people profiles for context on leaders shaping economic and policy decisions.
