OECO Press Release
The Commission of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan, successfully organized the first Caribbean Regional Dialogue on August 21 and 22, 2025, under the theme «Advancing Resilient Prosperity in the Caribbean».
Hosted at the Bay Gardens Hotel in Saint Lucia, this two-day Dialogue brought together senior government officials, regional organizations, academia, civil society, the private sector, and youth representatives from the OECS and the broader CARICOM region. Discussions focused on experiences and opportunities related to five key pillars: the blue economy, community-based tourism, agriculture and food security, economic and trade development, and climate and disaster risk reduction. Cross-cutting issues such as data, gender, youth, and the participation of civil society and the private sector also took center stage in the discussions.
In his welcoming remarks, the Honorable Wayne Girard, Minister at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Youth Economy of Saint Lucia, described this Dialogue as «a call to conscience, a platform for cooperation, and a powerful expression of our collective Caribbean resolve». He emphasized that resilience for the region «is not just the ability to bounce back, but the determination to move toward sustainability, inclusion, and innovation».
In the same vein, the Dr. Didacus Jules, Executive Director of the OECS, urged the region to rethink its narrative on the global stage:
«The Caribbean is not merely vulnerable; it is a source of abundant renewable energy networks, blue economy innovations, community-based tourism, and food system transformation. We must ensure that the ambitions of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS are translated into concrete solutions centered on island realities.»
He proposed a series of results-oriented initiatives, including a Caribbean Island Systems Management Pact, a Blue Value Chain Accelerator, and a Toolkit for Climate-Resilient Financing, all designed to translate policies into measurable results.
The Dialogue also served as a prelude to the Interregional Dialogue and the World Islands Summit, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, in 2026, where island nations from the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean will come together to address common challenges and seize shared opportunities.
The professor Mitsutaku Makino, president of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), addressed the participants, stating:
«Today’s discussions represent an important first step toward these international conferences. Although our resources are limited, we remain committed to working alongside you to advance solutions to the challenges facing small island nations, thereby contributing to the stability and prosperity of countries and regions, and ensuring the sustainable development of our oceans for future generations.»
Looking toward the world stage, Mr. Hideyuki Shiozawa, director of Island Nations at the OPRI of the SPF, outlined a broader vision:
«Although we have participated in numerous international conferences, gaps remain between policies and realities on the ground. Bridging these gaps requires fostering dialogue and providing information to decision-makers and partners. Starting with this Caribbean Dialogue, we will build momentum toward the Global Synergy Conference in Tokyo and the Global Islands Summit.»
Throughout the sessions, speakers emphasized that the challenges facing the Caribbean require collective responses and bold innovation. As the minister pointed out, Wayne Girard :
«No country can meet these challenges alone. The threats we face—whether rising sea levels, declining fish stocks, or inequitable global financial systems—are regional and global in scope. Our response must therefore be a collective one.»
The Dialogue concluded with the participants reaffirming their commitment to presenting the Caribbean not as a list of vulnerabilities, but as a portfolio of solutions. The Dr. Didacus Jules summed up this ambition by stating:
«This is not just a meeting; it is an important step toward enhanced cooperation, stronger systems, and a shared Caribbean vision of peace, resilience, and prosperity.»
About the OECO
The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to economic harmonization, integration, sustainable development, and the protection of human and legal rights in the Eastern Caribbean.
About the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
Established in 1986 with the support of the Nippon Foundation, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) is committed to promoting international exchange, cooperation, and policy research to address global challenges. Through its Ocean Policy Research Institute, the SPF has expanded its scope to include island nations around the world, supporting dialogue, policy innovation, and sustainable development initiatives.
