Marigot, Dominica – September 26, 2024:
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission successfully convened a workshop from September 10 to 11, 2024, at the Paradise Beach Hotel in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The workshop, a key event in the region’s development efforts, focused on accelerating the implementation of the OECS Development Strategy (ODS) Action Framework.
The ODS Action Framework, which was established from the OECS Development Strategy paper in 2018, underwent further refinement in consultation with Protocol Member States. The updated framework incorporates key recommendations from the 2022 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) review and aligns with the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The two-day event provided a platform to discuss and assess the progress of the ODS Action Framework while ensuring its alignment with National Development Plans (NDPs) of the Protocol Member States. The objectives of the workshop included:
- Assessment of NDP Alignment: Evaluating the extent to which member states’ National Development Plans align with the ODS Action Framework and prioritizing regional actions.
- Implementation Review: Assessing the current status of NDPs with the aim of drafting the OECS Development Report Update.
- Showcasing Achievements: Highlighting achievements toward meeting NDP goals through data-driven results and testimonials.
- Identifying Challenges: Sharing challenges encountered in implementing NDPs and exchanging best practices for overcoming these obstacles.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Progress: Engaging participants in peer-to-peer learning on monitoring SDG progress and sharing experiences.
- Scorecard Approval: Approving indicators for the full implementation of the ODS scorecard and revising regional targets to support progress measurement.
In his opening address, Mr. Joel Richards, Officer in Charge of the OECS Economic Affairs and Regional Integration Division, highlighted the significance of the ODS as a tool to complement national development plans. He emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to maximize economic and social gains for all citizens of the OECS.
“The ODS will complement national development plans and work in tandem to achieve optimal economic outcomes,” Richards noted. “We must identify policy areas where regional solutions can fulfill our national development ambitions, enhancing economic prosperity and social advancement for all citizens of the OECS.”
The workshop facilitated an open exchange between representatives of the Protocol Member States, enabling them to communicate national priorities, share data-backed results, and address implementation challenges. It also provided an opportunity to approve key indicators for tracking progress on the ODS scorecard and fostered stronger collaboration across the region.
The OECS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to driving regional sustainable economic development and improving the well-being of all citizens across the region. This workshop marked a critical step towards achieving the shared goals of the OECS member states.
The workshop and related activities were made possible with funding from the 11th European Development Fund through the Regional Integration Through Growth Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) programme.
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