At a Glance
Alliances & Memberships
- UN
- CARICOM
- OECS
- Commonwealth
- OAS
- AOSIS
Foreign Policy Overview
Tourism and spice economy; CARICOM bloc; climate-vulnerable.
Key Positions on Major Issues
Climate resilience; reparations; small-state representation.
UN Voting Record Notes
CARICOM/AOSIS aligned.
Economy & Trade
Grenada has a service-based economy dominated by tourism and the 'Citizenship by Investment' program, which significantly funds public infrastructure. Often called the 'Spice Isle,' it remains a leading exporter of nutmeg and mace, though agriculture's share of GDP has decreased. Key exports include fresh fruits and fish, while imports are dominated by manufactured goods, machinery, and fossil fuels. The currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), pegged to the USD, and top trade partners include the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
Military & Security
Grenada does not maintain a standing national army; instead, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) includes a specialized paramilitary Coast Guard and Special Service Unit. Defense and internal security are heavily coordinated through the Regional Security System (RSS) with neighboring Caribbean states. Grenada is a signatory to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, maintaining a nuclear-weapon-free status. Its security doctrine focuses on narcotics interdiction, human trafficking prevention, and disaster response resilience rather than conventional warfare.
Recent History
Following the 1983 US-led invasion (Operation Urgent Fury), Grenada transitioned back to a stable parliamentary democracy. The 1990s and early 2000s focused on rebuilding democratic institutions and shifting the economy from nutmeg dependency toward high-end tourism. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused damage exceeding 200% of GDP, which permanently reshaped Grenadian foreign policy to prioritize climate diplomacy and disaster resilience. The recent 2022 general elections saw the New National Party (NNP) succeeded by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under Dickon Mitchell, signaling a shift toward digital transformation and youth-centric policies. Grenada has also expanded ties with China, resulting in significant infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative while maintaining traditional security ties with the US.
International Memberships
- CARICOMsince 1974
Founding member; central to Grenada's regional integration and security cooperation.
- OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States)since 1981
Participates in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
- United Nations (UN)since 1974
Crucial for climate advocacy through the AOSIS subgroup.
- Regional Security System (RSS)since 1985
Focuses on regional security and disaster response coordination.
MUN Negotiation Profile
CARICOM / G77 / Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Multilateralist, collaborative, and focused on consensus-building within the Caribbean bloc. Grenada often leverages its vulnerability to climate change to advocate for 'Moral Debt' from developed nations.
- Violations of National Sovereignty (specifically regarding non-interference in domestic governance).
- Any climate policy that excludes 'Loss and Damage' funding for SIDS.
- Changes to the status of the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) affecting local fishing rights.
- "Urgent operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund for Small Island Developing States."
- "Debt restructuring and the implementation of 'Climate Resilient Debt Clauses' (CRDCs)."
- "Strengthening regional Caribbean security frameworks to combat illicit small arms trafficking."