OECS/Dominica Assumes Chairmanship of CARICOM Group in Geneva

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Commonwealth of Dominica have officially assumed the chairmanship of the CARICOM Group in Geneva, succeeding Haiti following a formal handover ceremony held on Wednesday, July 29, at Haiti's mission in Geneva.

The CARICOM Group in Geneva comprises the ambassadors and heads of mission of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomatic missions accredited in Geneva. Its members include The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago. The missions are accredited to the United Nations and other international organisations based in Geneva, including the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Group operates in accordance with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which calls on CARICOM member states to coordinate their foreign policies. To this end, the Geneva-based missions meet regularly to review and align their positions on issues before the many UN agencies and international organisations that make up International Geneva. The work of the heads of mission is supported by a corresponding group of technical experts from the member missions.

Under the Group's rotating annual chairmanship, Haiti concluded its tenure this week, with the OECS and Dominica taking over leadership for the coming year.

The Permanent Delegation of the OECS in Geneva is headed by Ambassador Colin Murdoch, while the mission of the Commonwealth of Dominica is led by Chargé d'Affaires Ms Kamila Bell.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ms Bell acknowledged the complex international environment the Group will navigate over the next year.

"Our group faces a challenging year ahead because of the volatility in international relations and the many changes taking place," she said, "but we will work assiduously with our colleagues to secure and promote the interests of the small states of the Caribbean region."

Ambassador Murdoch emphasised the importance of effective coordination and collective leadership in advancing the region's priorities.

"Leadership matters," he stated, "and the missions of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the OECS can and will coordinate the policies of the CARICOM Group in Geneva to better serve the interests of our region."

The transition underscores the OECS's continued commitment to presenting unified positions on key international issues and strengthening the voice of CARICOM's small states within the multilateral system.