OECS Inks New MOU to Better Protect Your Ocean Birthright

The OECS and the Regional Security System (RSS) have signed an MOU to better protect, police and preserve the ocean space in the Eastern Caribbean as the birth right of every Caribbean national.

As the major shared resource between OECS Member States, the ocean plays a vital role in the air we breathe, transportation, recreation to food, medicine and economic benefits.

OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules said the ocean was the last frontier of untapped economic growth for the region as a collective of Ocean Developing States.

“In recognition the OECS Commission coordinates the implementation of the $6.3 million Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy and Strategic Action Plan (CROP) to ensure the space is managed sustainably to leverage economic opportunities for Member States.

“The RSS as a key player in the plan performs a vital role as the body with regional oversight and capacity to protect the space from overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction.

“The Grant Agreement between the RSS and the Caribbean Development Bank also signed will support the implementation of some of the plan’s strategic actions. 

“This is a good case illustrative of the exponential Mathematics of integration and cooperation - one plus one equals 11.

“We also applaud the RSS in their tireless work in promoting co-operation among OECS Member States in the prevention and interdiction of traffic in illegal narcotic drugs, in national emergencies, search and rescue, immigration control, combating threats to national security, the prevention of smuggling, and in the protection of off-shore installations and exclusive economic zones” said Dr. Jules.

The MOU was signed on behalf of the six independent Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States - Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – and Barbados.

The signing took place on Friday 5^th April at the RSS Council of Ministers meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

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This story aligns with OECS Strategic Objective No.2: Mainstream climate, economic, environmental and social resilience.