Holness Calls for a More Deliberate Role for LAC on the Global Stage – caf.com

In an era defined by geopolitical fragmentation, accelerating climate crises, and profound economic shifts, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a clarion call for the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Speaking with a sense of urgency and conviction, Holness has challenged the region to transcend its historical divisions and adopt a “more deliberate role on the global stage.” This is not merely a suggestion for greater diplomatic engagement; it is a fundamental appeal for a paradigm shift—a move from being a passive recipient of global currents to an active, unified architect of its own destiny and a significant force in shaping the 21st-century world order.

The Prime Minister’s vision, articulated in a high-level forum, proposes that the LAC region, a vast and diverse tapestry of over 660 million people, immense natural resources, and unparalleled biodiversity, has for too long punched below its weight in international affairs. His call to action is a summons for a coordinated, strategic, and assertive presence in global forums, where the collective voice of the region can champion its unique interests, address its specific vulnerabilities, and contribute its immense potential to solving the world’s most pressing challenges. It is a demand for the region to stop being a collection of disparate voices and instead become a powerful, harmonious choir singing from the same hymn sheet of shared prosperity, resilience, and sovereignty.

The Core of the Call: A Demand for Strategic Unity

At the heart of Prime Minister Holness’s message lies a critique of the region’s current posture in global affairs—often characterized by fragmentation and reactivity. He argues that while individual LAC nations have pursued their own foreign policy objectives, this approach has diluted their collective influence. The concept of a “deliberate role” is a direct challenge to this status quo. It implies a conscious, calculated, and collaborative strategy, one where the 33 nations of the region identify common ground and project their power in unison.

This call is for a proactive stance. For decades, the region has often been positioned as a subject of global policy rather than a co-author. Whether in trade negotiations dominated by larger economic blocs, financial reforms dictated by Bretton Woods institutions, or climate policies that fail to account for the specific vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), LAC has frequently found itself on the receiving end of decisions made elsewhere. Holness’s appeal is for a fundamental reversal of this dynamic.

“We can no longer afford to be spectators in the theater of global affairs,” a sentiment echoing through Holness’s address suggests. “The time has come for Latin America and the Caribbean to take the stage, not as individual actors reading from different scripts, but as a powerful ensemble with a shared vision for our collective future.” This strategic unity would mean coordinating positions on key global issues, from the reform of the international financial architecture to the rules governing digital trade and the urgent imperatives of climate action. It envisions a future where the region leverages its combined economic might, its demographic weight, and its moral authority as a “zone of peace” to command attention and respect in every major international forum, from the United Nations General Assembly to the G20.

Context is Key: The Urgency of the Moment

Prime Minister Holness’s call is not occurring in a vacuum. It is a direct response to a confluence of global trends that present both unprecedented challenges and unique opportunities for the LAC region. The timing is critical, as the world navigates a period of intense and unpredictable transformation.

A Multipolar World in Flux

The post-Cold War era of unipolarity has definitively ended, giving way to a more complex and fluid multipolar world. The rise of new economic and political power centers, particularly in Asia, has created a more distributed and competitive international system. For LAC, this shift is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it intensifies competition for influence and resources. On the other, it creates strategic space. The region is no longer confined to a singular sphere of influence, presenting an opportunity to forge a more independent and diversified set of international partnerships. By acting as a unified bloc, LAC can negotiate with the United States, China, the European Union, and other global players from a position of strength, pursuing a strategy of “active non-alignment” that serves its own interests rather than those of external powers.

The Polycrisis: Climate, Economy, and Health

The world is grappling with what many analysts term a “polycrisis”—the interconnected and cascading effects of climate change, economic volatility, and public health emergencies. The LAC region sits at the epicenter of these challenges. It is home to the Amazon rainforest, the “lungs of the planet,” yet its Caribbean and Central American states are among the most vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change. The economic scars of the COVID-19 pandemic run deep, exacerbating pre-existing issues of inequality and debt. Global inflation and supply chain disruptions have further strained national economies. In this context, collective action is not a luxury but a necessity. A unified LAC can more effectively advocate for climate finance, demand equitable solutions like debt-for-nature swaps, and build resilient regional supply chains to buffer against external shocks.

The Digital and Energy Transitions

The twin transitions of digitalization and decarbonization are reshaping the global economy. A “deliberate role” for LAC means actively steering these transitions rather than being passively shaped by them. The region possesses vast reserves of lithium, copper, and other critical minerals essential for the green energy transition. A coordinated strategy could ensure that these resources are leveraged not just for export revenue, but for regional industrialization and sustainable development. Similarly, in the digital realm, a unified approach can help the region set standards for data governance, negotiate fairly with multinational tech corporations, and harness technology to close developmental gaps, ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are broadly shared.

Unpacking “A Deliberate Role”: From Rhetoric to Reality

Moving from the aspirational call for a “deliberate role” to concrete policy action requires a focused agenda. This means identifying specific areas where a unified LAC voice can make a tangible difference on the global stage.

Championing a New Global Climate Deal

The LAC region has a unique and powerful role to play in the global climate debate. As custodians of critical ecosystems and victims of climate-related disasters, its voice carries immense moral weight. A unified bloc could push for a more ambitious climate agenda, demanding that developed nations fulfill their commitments to climate finance, including the elusive $100 billion per year pledge. It could lead the charge on operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, a critical mechanism for SIDS and other vulnerable nations. Furthermore, by coordinating policies on forest conservation, renewable energy deployment, and sustainable agriculture, the region can present itself as a solution-provider, a model for how to align development with planetary health.

Reforming the Global Financial Architecture

A central pillar of a more assertive LAC role is the push to reform institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These organizations, designed in a different era, often employ metrics and lending criteria—such as per-capita GDP—that fail to capture the unique vulnerabilities of middle-income countries and SIDS. Many LAC nations are too “wealthy” to qualify for concessional financing but too indebted and vulnerable to access affordable capital markets. A united LAC could forcefully advocate for the inclusion of a “multidimensional vulnerability index” in financing decisions, a cause championed by Caribbean leaders. It could also lead a global coalition to rethink sovereign debt restructuring processes, making them faster, fairer, and more supportive of a green and inclusive recovery, building on proposals like the Bridgetown Initiative.

Forging Strategic Trade and Investment Policies

For too long, the region’s role in the global economy has been defined by the export of raw materials and agricultural commodities, leaving it susceptible to price volatility. A “deliberate role” entails a strategic shift towards value addition and regional integration. This means coordinating industrial policies to build robust regional supply chains, particularly in strategic sectors like pharmaceuticals, renewable energy components, and food processing. In an era of “nearshoring” and “friend-shoring,” a unified LAC can market itself as a reliable and proximate alternative for global supply chains. By negotiating trade agreements as a bloc, the region can secure better terms, protect its nascent industries, and ensure that trade contributes directly to sustainable development goals.

The Caribbean Perspective: Amplifying the Voice of SIDS

That this powerful call for regional unity comes from the Prime Minister of Jamaica is profoundly significant. It situates the unique and existential challenges of the Caribbean’s Small Island Developing States at the very heart of the wider LAC agenda. SIDS face a disproportionate burden from global crises they did little to create. Their low-lying territories are on the front lines of sea-level rise and extreme weather events. Their small, open economies are highly exposed to external shocks, from fluctuations in tourism to global financial downturns. Their high levels of sovereign debt, often incurred to rebuild after natural disasters, create a vicious cycle that stifles development.

For the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a “deliberate role” for the wider LAC region is a matter of survival. Alone, the voice of a single small island can be easily overlooked in the cacophony of global diplomacy. However, when their concerns are championed by a unified bloc that includes regional powerhouses like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, they are impossible to ignore. A unified LAC can provide the political and diplomatic muscle to amplify the Caribbean’s call for climate justice, accessible development finance, and a global system that recognizes their inherent vulnerability. In this vision, the strength of the continent is leveraged to protect its most fragile islands, embodying a principle of regional solidarity that benefits all.

Building from Within: Economic Integration as the Foundation

Prime Minister Holness’s vision for an influential global role is intrinsically linked to the imperative of strengthening the region from within. External influence is a direct reflection of internal cohesion and economic strength. Therefore, deepening regional integration is not just a desirable economic goal; it is a prerequisite for achieving the strategic autonomy Holness advocates.

Despite decades of effort, integration in LAC remains a work in progress. The region is a patchwork of sub-regional blocs—including Mercosur, the Pacific Alliance, CARICOM, and the Central American Integration System (SICA)—with varying levels of ambition and success. Tariff and non-tariff barriers, inadequate cross-border infrastructure, and divergent regulatory frameworks continue to hinder the free flow of goods, services, and capital. Intra-regional trade in LAC hovers at a mere 15%, a stark contrast to the over 60% seen in the European Union.

A deliberate push for a unified global role necessitates a renewed commitment to overcoming these internal hurdles. This means investing in physical infrastructure that connects markets, from highways and ports to energy grids and digital fiber-optic networks. It requires harmonizing customs procedures, technical standards, and financial regulations to create a seamless regional market. A more integrated economy would not only foster greater prosperity and resilience but would also make the region a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment and a more formidable negotiator in global trade forums. A single, dynamic LAC market would be a global economic player that no one could afford to sideline.

Navigating the Geopolitical Maze: A Strategy of Active Engagement

A more assertive LAC must skillfully navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape defined by the strategic rivalry between the United States and China, with other significant players like the European Union and Russia also vying for influence. A “deliberate role” in this context is not about choosing sides but about maximizing the region’s own agency and interests. It means rejecting a 21st-century version of the Monroe Doctrine and instead pursuing a policy of active, independent engagement with all global partners.

This approach would see the region engaging with China on infrastructure development through its Belt and Road Initiative, but on terms that ensure high labor and environmental standards, transparency, and financial sustainability. It would involve deepening trade and security partnerships with the United States, its traditional and most significant partner, while simultaneously defending the region’s sovereign right to forge its own policies. It would also mean strengthening ties with Europe on issues of climate change and democratic governance, and with other regions of the Global South to build coalitions on shared development priorities.

By acting in concert, LAC nations can increase their collective bargaining power, preventing external powers from employing “divide and rule” tactics. A unified front allows the region to set its own conditions for engagement, ensuring that partnerships, whether on trade, investment, or technology, align with its long-term development vision.

Overcoming the Hurdles: Challenges on the Path to Unity

The path to the unified and deliberate role envisioned by Prime Minister Holness is fraught with significant challenges that must be acknowledged and addressed. The vision, while compelling, confronts decades of historical precedent and deep-seated structural issues.

The most prominent hurdle is the region’s profound ideological and political diversity. The political pendulum in LAC swings regularly between left-leaning and right-leaning governments, each with different economic models and foreign policy priorities. This “political tide” can disrupt the continuity required for long-term strategic planning, often leading to a focus on short-term national interests over sustained regional cooperation. Forging a lasting consensus amidst such diversity requires statesmanship of the highest order and a focus on pragmatic, shared interests that transcend ideology.

Furthermore, historical rivalries and unresolved border disputes continue to simmer in some parts of the region, creating mistrust that can undermine efforts at deeper integration. The vast economic and demographic disparities between nations also create divergent priorities. The needs of a continental giant like Brazil can differ significantly from those of a small Caribbean island like Dominica, making it difficult to formulate a single policy that benefits all equally. Finally, a deep-rooted attachment to national sovereignty can make governments reluctant to cede any measure of authority to supranational or regional bodies, a necessary step for effective collective action.

The Role of Catalysts: Institutions Like CAF

Translating the political will articulated by leaders like Holness into tangible progress will require robust institutional support. Regional development banks and multilateral organizations are uniquely positioned to serve as catalysts for this transformation. Institutions like the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) play a crucial role.

These bodies can provide the critical financing for the cross-border infrastructure projects that are the physical backbone of integration. They can offer technical expertise to help harmonize regulations and promote best practices. Crucially, they serve as neutral conveners, providing a platform for dialogue and consensus-building among member states, helping to bridge political divides and foster a shared regional identity. By funding studies, facilitating ministerial meetings, and supporting collaborative initiatives, they can help build the institutional architecture needed to sustain a unified regional strategy.

A Region at a Crossroads: The Choice Ahead

Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s call for a more deliberate global role for Latin America and the Caribbean is more than a diplomatic proposal; it is a challenge to the region’s self-perception and a vision for its future. It marks a potential inflection point, a moment of choice. The path of least resistance is to continue as a fragmented collection of nations, each navigating the turbulent waters of the 21st century alone, reacting to global events as they unfold. The alternative, the path Holness champions, is more arduous but infinitely more promising.

It is the path of building a cohesive, strategic, and influential bloc that leverages its immense collective assets—its people, its resources, its culture, and its biodiversity—to secure a prosperous, resilient, and sovereign future. The journey will be long and complex, requiring sustained political will to overcome deep-seated divisions. Yet, in a world of escalating crises and shifting power, the logic of unity has never been more compelling. The choice ahead for Latin America and the Caribbean is clear: to remain an object of global history or to become one of its principal authors.