OECS Advances Strategic Partnerships on Climate Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth at Global Green Growth Week 2025
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has successfully concluded a strategic, high-impact mission to Global Green Growth Week (GGGW), which included participation in the 14th Session of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Assembly and the 18th Session of its Council, held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 27 October to 31 October 2025.
The OECS delegation, led by Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, accompanied by Programme Director for Sustainable Energy, Mrs. Judith Ephraim, and supported by GGGI Caribbean Representative, Mr. Daniel Muñoz-Smith, engaged in a series of high-impact diplomatic, policy, and technical engagements designed to advance the OECS’ priorities and interests across the international development arena.
This mission aligned with the OECS Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the perspectives, vulnerabilities, and development interests of OECS Member States are strongly and consistently advocated in global fora.
During Global Green Growth Week, the Director General participated in the following major events, which served as critical advocacy platforms for OECS Member States:
1. Session: Mobilising Sustainable Finance in Caribbean and Pacific SIDS
In delivering remarks, Dr. Jules emphasised the urgent need for equitable access to climate finance, reforms to global financing criteria, and recognition of the structural constraints faced by SIDS.
2. Session: Advancing Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Green Growth
As part of the panel on Sustainable AI for Green Growth, Dr. Jules highlighted the OECS’ interest in deploying artificial intelligence to strengthen education, climate resilience, public administration, and innovation-driven economic diversification.
3. Session: Assembly and Council (Joint Session)
Role: Delivered a formal intervention on behalf of the OECS
The Director General also delivered a statement outlining the OECS position on global green growth, climate resilience, natural capital stewardship, and the critical role of innovation in transforming the economies of the Eastern Caribbean.
In addition to the Assembly sessions, the mission to Seoul featured a series of high-level bilateral engagements targeting the region’s priority areas of AI innovation, climate finance, sustainable energy, transport modernisation, and carbon market development.
The OECS delegation held dedicated meetings with the Global Green Growth Institute teams on Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Energy, Carbon Pricing, and Artificial Intelligence; the Korea National Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (NAIRL) and the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (Nature Bank). These discussions strengthened collaboration with key global partners and advanced concrete opportunities for technical cooperation, capacity building, and financing to support the sustainable transformation of the OECS region.
The OECS Delegation took the opportunity whilst in Seoul to meet with the Green Climate Fund (GCF)to discuss amongst other things the Commission’s accreditation to the GCF. The GCF informed that the OECS’s application has progressed to Stage 2, with anticipated Board consideration in 2026. If successful, accreditation to the GCF will position the OECS Commission to manage up to US$50,000,000 for eligible projects, transforming the OECS financing landscape for climate action, resilience and economic development.
Among the achievements of the Mission, were the following:
- Commitment to develop an OECS-GGGI Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Framework focused on AI for climate resilience, education, and governance.
- Agreement with NAIRL to explore Scholarships, Internships, and Joint Research Opportunities for OECS youth in advanced AI fields.
- Initiation of Work on a Regional Carbon Pricing and MRV Framework to expand economic opportunities for OECS Member States.
- Exploration of a Sustainable Mobility Programme including e-mobility, marine transport, and urban low-emissions initiatives.
- Strengthened Partnerships for Renewable Energy Transition and Green Schools with emphasis on energy efficiency, microgrids, and solar systems for educational institutions.
Through direct participation in global policy dialogues and technical negotiations, the OECS seeks to ensure that its Member States’ priorities remain visible, respected, and included in major international development agendas.
Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, Director General Dr. Didacus Jules stated:
“The OECS is entering a new era of green transformation, powered by strategic partnerships and driven by innovation. Our engagements in Seoul have opened concrete pathways for climate finance, AI-enabled development, sustainable transport, and renewable energy. These collaborations set the foundation for a resilient, future-ready Eastern Caribbean.”
Mr. Daniel Muñoz-Smith, GGGI’s Caribbean Representative, added:
“The outcomes of this mission reaffirm GGGI’s deep commitment to supporting the OECS in accelerating climate-smart development. We look forward to expanding our collaboration across energy, adaptation, AI, and sustainable transport.”
About the OECS
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an international intergovernmental organisation established by the Treaty of Basseterre in 1981. The OECS promotes regional integration, sustainable development, and economic and social progress across its twelve Member States.
OECS Communications Unit