Ambassador of Brazil Presents Credentials to OECS Director General

His Excellency Colbert Soares Pinto Junior, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), presented his Letter of Credence to Dr Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, during an accreditation ceremony held at the OECS Commission Headquarters in Castries.

The ceremony brought together Commissioners of the OECS, members of the Ambassador’s delegation, representatives of embassies and international institutions accredited to the OECS and other distinguished guests, who joined virtually. The proceedings were chaired by OECS Master of Ceremonies, Dr Kisha Grant, Manager of the Office of the OECS Director General.

In formally presenting his credentials, Ambassador Soares Pinto Junior expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to strengthen the partnership between Brazil and the Eastern Caribbean. He highlighted Brazil’s longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and the natural affinities shared between Brazil and the OECS Member States.

“It is indeed a great honour to present my diplomatic credentials so that I may represent Brazil at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Brazil considers the trajectory of the OECS since its founding in 1981 as a very successful example of regional cooperation and integration,” he said.

The Ambassador commended the OECS for achievements in free movement of people, shared currency space, and harmonised documentation systems, describing these as “important achievements that make integration among Member States a living reality.” He further reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to expanding development cooperation with the region:

“Brazil and the Caribbean share many affinities which provide fertile ground for cooperation initiatives. Our interest is to deepen collaboration in sectors such as health, agriculture, and others, to generate structural benefits with lasting effects on local societies.”

The Ambassador underscored Brazil’s belief in empathy, solidarity and cooperation as essential diplomatic tools in a time of global uncertainty:

“In a world facing tensions and uncertainties, we believe it is crucial to promote values that nurture understanding, tolerance, and trust on a global scale.”

In accepting the credentials, OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules welcomed the Ambassador and reaffirmed the OECS' strong commitment to deepening cooperation with Brazil, one of the region’s most significant hemispheric partners.

“You represent not only a large and influential nation, but a civilisation whose cultural diversity, scientific achievement, and development philosophy resonate profoundly with the aspirations of the Eastern Caribbean,” Dr Jules said.

He noted that Brazil has consistently demonstrated solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and a genuine ethos of South-South cooperation, adding that these principles mirror the very foundation of the OECS integration movement.

Dr Jules outlined several priority areas where the OECS seeks to expand collaboration with Brazil, which included:

The Director General announced that the OECS proposes the activation of the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation and the convening of the first Joint Cooperation Commission in early 2026.

“As you present your credentials today, we open a new chapter, one where Brazil and the OECS create practical, scalable, and transformative solutions in health, agriculture, climate resilience, governance, and culture,” Dr Jules stated.

Formal diplomatic relations between Brazil and the OECS were established in 2009. Brazil maintains active cooperation programmes across several OECS Member States, with notable collaboration in public health, agriculture, education, and humanitarian support.