The programmes and projects of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat are, for the most part, conducted through technical cooperation with third countries and multilateral agencies (collectively referred to as international development partners (IDPs).

The Community has technical cooperation relations with both long-standing traditional donors as well as newly emerging ones.  There is also a range of multilateral organisations with which the Community has technical cooperation relations. The relations with the traditional donors are primarily based on the provision of cash resources for approved development programmes and projects. In the case of the emerging donors, cooperation is primarily through the provision of technical assistance.

Of importance is the increasing trend among developing countries to establish mechanisms for South-South cooperation. Countries from Central and South America, in particular, have indicated that this is their preferred method of cooperation with the Community. Countries in the forefront of this recent thrust include Central and South American countries, India and Cuba.

The table below lists the countries and multilateral agencies with which the CARICOM Secretariat has formal or informal cooperation relations