Ambassador of the United Kingdom Presents Credentials to OECS Director General

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) today formally received the Letter of Credence of His Excellency Simon Mustard, British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, during a virtual presentation of credentials ceremony on November 26, 2025.

The ceremony opened with warm greetings from Dr. Kisha Grant, who invited attendees to reflect on the significance of the moment and the renewal of a longstanding partnership between the OECS and the United Kingdom.

Delivering his remarks from Bridgetown, His Excellency Simon Mustard expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the region, noting that he looks forward to strengthening cooperation with the OECS and its Member States, specifically in the areas of climate, climate resilience and regional security. He stated: “I'm very much looking forward to working with you, your team, and your member nations in the coming months and years to drive forward the agenda on all three of those areas.”

OECS Director General, Dr Didacus Jules, highlighted the evolving global context and the importance of principled alliances. “We are in a world defined by overlapping crises, where the voices of small states must be strengthened through principled partnerships,” Dr Jules stated. “The UK has been a valued partner in education, governance, renewable energy, disaster management, and health. This new chapter provides an opportunity to modernise and deepen that cooperation.”

Dr Jules further underscored the importance of this relationship with the United Kingdom, stating,

“You join us at a moment of profound global turbulence. The multilateral order that once provided predictability for small states is weakening. Exceptionalism, unilateralism, and great-power competition increasingly define global affairs. Small island developing states like ours confront overlapping crises - climate impacts, supply chain fragility, geopolitical insecurity, and technological disruption - while facing a global financial system that remains misaligned with our vulnerabilities.”

The UK has supported OECS Member States across several sectors, including education, renewable energy, governance reform, health, disaster preparedness, and resilience-building. Dr Jules noted:

The global environment is not benign. As multilateralism weakens and exceptionalism grows, small states must rely increasingly on trusted partnerships that honour our sovereignty and recognise our vulnerabilities.”

He added that such engagement “must now be guided by principled partnership - not paternalism - grounded in democracy, justice, rule of law, and a shared belief in the right of small states to chart their development pathways with dignity.” He noted that the UK’s influence in global financial architecture, stabilisation efforts, and climate governance uniquely positions it to champion the priorities of small island developing states. He called for a modernised partnership capable of confronting global turbulence with shared resolve.

In closing, the OECS Director /.General conveyed the OECS Commission’s congratulations and extended a warm welcome to High Commissioner Designate Mustard. He expressed confidence that this new chapter will strengthen ties and unlock opportunities for resilience, prosperity, and development across the region.

He concluded, “This is a moment that calls for bold, collaborative leadership. May your tenure mark the beginning of a renewed and re-energised UK–OECS partnership - one that honours our history, responds to our present challenges, and builds a secure and sustainable future for generations to come.”