The Heads of Authorities of the Organisation of Jap Caribbean States (OECS) met in Saint Lucia on 13th January 2026, hosted by the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, and underneath the chairmanship of Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in his inaugural Heads of Authorities assembly.
The assembly was attended by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia; Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada; Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis; Premier Reuben T. Meade of Montserrat; Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands; and Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge of Anguilla. The Heads of Authorities had been accompanied by the Director Normal of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules.
The assembly addressed a number of essential regional and worldwide points, together with the rising geopolitical surroundings, regional developments, and proposals being mentioned with the US of America.
The Heads of Authorities proceed to watch the continuing developments between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the US and the potential implications for the Jap Caribbean. These embrace impacts on financial stability, regional safety, vitality safety, migration flows, and diplomatic relations. On this context, the Heads reaffirmed the OECS’ dedication to peace, stability, and good neighbourly relations throughout the hemisphere.
The Heads of Authorities mentioned the requests by the US to OECS member states, together with Grenada, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis to just accept Third Nation Nationals (TCN) from the US and famous that some OECS member states have already signed Non-Legally Binding Memoranda of Understanding with the US to enter into additional discussions with the US on the matter. The Heads of Authorities have subsequently agreed to determine a broad-based, high-level negotiating group, comprising representatives from OECS Member States, to undertake technical negotiations with the US on this matter.
The Heads of Authorities reaffirmed with respect to Citizenship by Funding Programmes (CIPs) within the 5 related OECS jurisdictions, their dedication to ongoing enhancements and finest practices within the CIPs, noting the numerous efforts undertaken over the previous 9 months towards establishing an impartial regional regulatory authority, along with proposed legislative reforms to the CIP frameworks, and the necessity for continued engagement with companions together with the European Union.
The Heads of Authorities expressed their dedication to adopting and implementing sooner or later traveller biometrics programs all through the OECS to boost regional border safety, trouble free and seamless journey, and to enhance traveler expertise for residents and guests alike throughout the OECS.
Given the dynamic and quickly evolving geopolitical surroundings, the Heads of Authorities agreed to convene in political caucus as often as required to make sure coordinated and responsive decision-making and reaffirmed their dedication to collective motion, regional solidarity, and continued principled and sensible engagement with the worldwide group, together with the US, in safeguarding the safety, stability, and sustainable improvement of the OECS.
The Heads of Authorities are dedicated to persevering with and enhancing public communication with their residents to guarantee them that any selections made, or to be made, might be finished in the most effective curiosity of the residents of the OECS.
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