The Caribbean Development Bank (Eleventh Replenishment of the Special Development Fund (Unified)) Order 2026

Published: Wed 25th Mar 26

This statutory instrument, The Caribbean Development Bank (Eleventh Replenishment of the Special Development Fund (Unified)) Order 2026, formally approves the Secretary of State making payments on behalf of the UK Government, up to £21 million, as a further contribution to the Caribbean Development Bank's Special Development Fund (Unified) for its eleventh replenishment cycle, pursuant to a resolution adopted in March 2025 and exercising powers granted under the International Development Act 2002.

Arguments For

  • Authorizes the UK to fulfill its commitment to international development goals by contributing funds to a multilateral development bank aimed at supporting the Caribbean region.

  • Ensures compliance with existing statutory powers under the International Development Act 2002, which governs payments to such institutions.

  • Supports economic stability and development within Caribbean nations, potentially fostering stronger diplomatic and trade relationships between the UK and the region.

  • The process includes Treasury approval and parliamentary scrutiny (the draft Order was approved by the House of Commons), indicating robust governmental oversight of the expenditure.

Arguments Against

  • The allocation of £21 million represents a significant overseas financial commitment that could otherwise be directed towards domestic priorities or other development aid channels.

  • Reliance on a Resolution adopted in March 2025 means these funding levels were set prior to immediate economic conditions in 2026, potentially affecting the real value of the contribution.

  • Potential criticism regarding the need for a specific statutory instrument for funding activities already covered under broader international development legislation, adding administrative steps.

  • While no impact assessment was deemed necessary, there is always a risk of unintended cross-sectoral economic or environmental impacts in the recipient territories that are not explicitly detailed.

2026 No. 365

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Caribbean Development Bank (Eleventh Replenishment of the Special Development Fund (Unified)) Order 2026

Made

24th March 2026

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Coming into force in accordance with article 1

The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 11(4) of the International Development Act 2002 ('the Act')( a ) for the purposes of approving a payment under section 11(3) of the Act.

Section 11 of the Act provides that where the Government of the United Kingdom becomes bound to make a relevant payment( b ) to a multilateral development bank( c ) the Minister( d ) may make the relevant payment and other associated payments specified in section 11(3).

In accordance with section 11(4) of the Act, this Order is made with the approval of the Treasury.

In accordance with section 11(5) of the Act, a draft of this Order has been laid before the House of Commons and approved by resolution of that House.

Citation and commencement

  1. This Order may be cited as the Caribbean Development Bank (Eleventh Replenishment of the Special Development Fund (Unified)) Order 2026 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.

Interpretation

  1. In this Order-

'the Agreement' means the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Development Bank dated 18th October 1969 and ratified by the United Kingdom on 23rd January 1970( e );

'the Bank' means the Caribbean Development Bank established by the Agreement;

'the Fund' means the Special Development Fund established by article 8 of the Agreement and referred to by the Bank as the Special Development Fund (Unified);

'the Government' means the Government of the United Kingdom;

'the Resolution' means the Resolution titled 'Replenishment of the resources of the Special Development Fund (Unified) eleventh cycle (SDF 11)' adopted by the contributors to the Fund on 14th March 2025( a ).

Relevant Payments

  1. The Secretary of State may, on behalf of the Government and in accordance with section 11 of the International Development Act 2002-
  • (a) make payment of a further contribution to the Fund not exceeding £21 million in accordance with arrangements made between the Government and the Bank in accordance with the Resolution, and
  • (b) make payment of sums required to redeem any non-interest-bearing and non-negotiable notes or other obligations which may be issued or created by the Secretary of State and accepted by the Bank pursuant to the arrangements mentioned in paragraph (a).

| 23rd March 2026 | Chris Elmore Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | |-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | We approve, | | | 24th March 2026 | Two of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury |

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order approves the making of payments on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom to the Caribbean Development Bank (the 'Bank') of sums not exceeding £21 million as a contribution to the Eleventh Replenishment of the Special Development Fund (Unified) (the 'Fund'). The payments approved by this Order will be made pursuant to the Resolution adopted by the contributors to the Fund on 14th March 2025. The Order also provides for the redemption of non-interest-bearing and non-negotiable notes issued by the Secretary of State pursuant to arrangements between the Government and the Bank.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, public or voluntary sector is foreseen.

The Resolution referred to in this Order is available online at: https GLYPH<c=0,font=/GFEDCB+TimesNewRomanPSMT> ://www GLYPH<c=0,font=/GFEDCB+TimesNewRomanPSMT> .caribank.org/our-wor k/programmes/special-development-fund; a copy may be obtained by application to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH.

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