This document provides guidance on the establishment and operation of Regional Activity Centres (RACs) and Regional Activity Networks (RANs) under the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention). The document is intended to serve as guidelines to Contracting Parties to the Cartagena Convention, other participating governments, other organizations or institutions responsible for RACs and RANs (existing or proposed) and the Secretariat of the Caribbean Environment Programme (UNEP-CAR/RCU). The document should also provide useful guidance to all Contracting Parties to assist in the evaluation of the administration and implementation of existing RACs and RANs and to evaluate new RAC and RAN proposals as they arise. These guidelines are recommendatory in nature; nothing in this document is intended to be binding under international law.