OECS

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an intergovernmental organization established to promote economic integration, cooperation, and development among its member states in the Eastern Caribbean region. Founded on June 18, 1981, through the signing of the Treaty of Basseterre, the OECS currently comprises eight sovereign states and two British Overseas Territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the British Virgin Islands, as well as Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The organization operates under a democratic framework, with decisions typically made by consensus among member states. Its primary objectives include fostering regional economic integration, enhancing social and economic development, promoting sustainable environmental management, and strengthening political cooperation. The OECS also serves as a platform for addressing shared challenges such as climate change resilience, disaster risk reduction, and regional security.

Economically, the OECS facilitates trade liberalization through the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), which shares a common currency, the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD). The organization also coordinates policies on tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure development to boost competitiveness and economic growth. Additionally, the OECS collaborates with international partners, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the European Union, and the United Nations, to secure funding and technical assistance for regional projects.

The OECS Secretariat, headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia, oversees administrative and technical functions, while key decision-making bodies include the Council of Ministers, the Conference of Heads of Government, and the OECS Commission. The organization plays a vital role in regional governance, ensuring that member states work together to achieve shared goals in a rapidly changing global environment.