UBEC 2nd Regional Retreat Advances Stakeholder Collaboration for a Resilient Blue Economy in the Eastern Caribbean

This pivotal gathering brought together the National Project Implementation Unit (PIU) representatives of Saint Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Regional PIU representatives of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission, representatives of the World Bank, and sectoral experts in agriculture, environment, waste management, fisheries and tourism. ​

During the opening ceremony, Grenada’s Minister for Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation, Honourable Andy Williams, urged stakeholders to work collaboratively for lasting success, emphasizing that UBEC is not just about economic growth, but about people, prosperity and planning.

Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS Commission reinforced the critical need for enhanced communication and institutional capacity building to synchronize national and regional actions, facilitate policy harmonization and ensure positive impacts beyond project implementation. The UBEC project teams were encouraged to foster synergy, strategic alignment, and operational harmonization, leading to improved project success.

UBEC will be implemented as a Series of Projects (SOP) in three distinct five-year phases over a fifteen-year period. Phase I (2022 to 2028) focuses on economic recovery and marine and coastal resilience in Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This phase aims to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of two key sectors – tourism and fisheries – while strengthening waste management infrastructure as a fundamental enabler.

Building a resilient blue economy requires collaborative efforts and sustained action at all levels. The OECS Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to the UBEC initiative, ensuring that efforts are focused on preserving the marine environment and fostering sustainable economic opportunities across the OECS sub-region.