Artikel III

1. The Association is an organisation for consultation, cooperation and concerted action, whose purpose is to identify and promote the implementation of policies and programmes designed to:
a) harness, utilise and develop the collective capabilities of the Caribbean Region to achieve sustained cultural, economic, social, scientific and technological advancement;
b) develop the potential of the Caribbean Sea through interaction among Member States and with third parties;
c) promote an enhanced economic space for trade and investment with opportunities for cooperation and concerted action, in order to increase the benefits which accrue to the peoples of the Caribbean from their resources and assets, including the Caribbean Sea;
d) establish, consolidate and augment, as appropriate, institutional structures and cooperative arrangements responsive to the various cultural identities, developmental needs and normative systems within the region.
2. In pursuit and fulfilment of the purposes set out in paragraph 1 of this Article, the Association shall promote gradually and progressively among its members the following activities:
a) economic integration, including the liberalisation of trade, investment, transportation and other related areas;
b) discussion on matters of common interest for the purpose of facilitating active and coordinated participation by the region in the various multilateral fora;
c) the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for functional cooperation in the fields mentioned in paragraph 1a) of this Article;
d) the preservation of the environment and conservation of the natural resources of the region and especially of the Caribbean Sea;
e) the strengthening of friendly relationships among the Governments and peoples of the Caribbean;
f) consultation, cooperation and concerted action in such other areas as may be agreed upon.