High-Level Blue Economy Engagements seek to drive Sustainable Ocean Investment across the OECS

October 11, 2024

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission is pleased to advise of the convening of High-Level Blue Economy Engagements – The Fourth Blue Economy Roundtable and Auxiliary Sessions, scheduled for October 15 and 16, 2024 at Harbor Club Hotel, Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia.

Annual OECS Blue Economy Investor Roundtable discussions are designed to raise interest in and drive sustainable ocean investment across the OECS. ​ Discussions emphasise the importance of integrating environmental, social, and governance criteria into blue investments and provide a platform for key stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, to connect, share insights, and explore collaborative opportunities that can drive innovation and growth in the blue economy sector. ​

Two highlights of this year’s event are the high-level Blue Economy Roundtable and the launch of a Regional Micro, Small and Medium Sized (MSME) Matching Grants’ Program. ​ The Blue Economy Roundtable discussion will take place from 6 - 7:30 pm on Day 1 and will be moderated by the OECS Director General, H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules. Speakers include the Honourable Kerryne James, Grenada Minister for Climate Resilience, The Environment, and Renewable Energy; Honourable Daren Pinard, Commonwealth of Dominica Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development; Dr. Jaime Cavelier, Vice president, International Conservation Caucus Foundation Group (ICCF); and French Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean States, to Barbados and to the OECS, H.E. Francis Etienne.

The theme for the Roundtable is ‘Beyond Aspiration – An OECS Model Blue Economy Region’ and discussions are expected to touch on the interconnected nature of ocean matters from a small island context and the importance of a unified approach to managing the oceans and its resources; the importance of aligning the OECS' blue sectors with global markets to drive sustainable growth; the diverse pathways to achieving vibrant blue economies, and the critical need for policy coherence.

The Roundtable will be followed by another major event on Day 2, October 16, at 9 a.m., which is the Launch of the Regional (MSME) Matching Grants’ Programme (MGP). The MGP aims to promote sustainable growth, job creation, and capacity building within participating countries, namely Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The programme will specifically support the Tourism, Fisheries and Waste-Water Management sub-sectors. ​ Under the MGP’s first call for proposals, Individual MSMEs can apply for grants ranging from $5,000.00 to $25,000.00 USD. The MGP is part of a broader initiative, Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC), which is a World Bank-funded regional initiative designed to be implemented as a Series of Projects over a fifteen-year period. ​ This initiative is currently in its first Phase with the initial beneficiary countries being Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

To view the Live Broadcast of The Fourth Blue Economy Roundtable Discussion and the Regional MSME MGP Launch, please visit The OECS’ Facebook page and YouTube Channel, The Government of Saint Lucia’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel and Saint Lucia’s National Television Network (NTN).