The Caribbean Commission

The Agreement formally establishing the Caribbean Commission was signed at Washington on October 20, 1946, by the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and France. The Commission has as its purpose to strengthen cooperation among the signatory powers and their dependencies in the area “with a view toward improving the economic and social well-being of the peoples of the territory.” Together with its auxiliary bodies — the Caribbean Research Council and the West Indian Conference — the Caribbean Commission is an outgrowth of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission, which was established in March, 1942. In December, 1945, France and the Netherlands accepted invitations to become members of the Commission, and on July 15, 1946, the present agreement was first initialed. The four-power body, like its predecessor the Anglo-American Commission, serves strictly in an advisory and consultative capacity, its main function being “to study, formulate and recommend … measures, programs, and policies with respect to social and economic problems, … make recommendations for the carrying into effect of all action necessary or desirable in this connection, [and to] … assist in coordinating local projects which have regional significance and to provide technical guidance.”