The OECS and IOM Meet to Discuss Migration Priorities

Officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) met to plan cooperation activities and programmes surrounding challenges and opportunities with the movement of people in the region. The meeting was held on October 15, 2024, at the OECS Commission headquarters in Saint Lucia.

OECS Director General, Dr Didacus Jules, remarked,

“The relationship with the IOM has been mutually rewarding as there are several initiatives where our mandates converge, especially on the issue of migration.”

For several years, the IOM and the OECS have collaborated on several initiatives that have advanced research and policy development, especially in the areas of regional integration, migration, data management and diaspora engagement. This includes a recent collaboration on initiatives under the UN Security Trust Fund Joint Programme which focuses on strengthening OECS Member States capacity against climate change. The Joint Programme has led to the development of cross-border protocols to respond to cross-border displacements and the OECS Ministerial Declaration on responding to Environmental Migration and Climate Change. 

The discussion on October 15 allowed for a review of these initiatives and their successes and participants mapped the path for future engagements in these areas and others of mutual interest. 

Among the topics discussed included: 

While the OECS has implemented a successful Free Movement of Persons Regime within the framework of the OECS Economic Union, there are many opportunities where collaboration with the IOM will help strengthen the benefits available to citizens. Of note for the OECS delegation was the need to further expand the capacity and scope for collecting data and managing databases as they are significantly important to free movement. The discussion also pursued options for building the capacity of OECS Member States to respond more effectively to cross-border displacement caused by climate-induced disasters and other hazards.

Mr. Patrice Quesada, IOM Coordinating Officer for the Caribbean, highlighted the importance of collaboration with the OECS on these and other initiatives, noted in his opening remarks,

“The IOM is pleased to be partnering with the OECS Commission on several key initiatives given the exemplary record of the OECS in advancing regional integration in the region.”

The two organizations will form a collective work programme based on these preliminary discussions. This will guide the activities implemented as part of an existing cooperation agreement between them.

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