From October 15-16, 2024, the ICCF Group co-sponsored the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) 4th Blue Economy Roundtable and associated high-level engagements at the Harbor Club Hotel in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia.
The two-day event aimed to drive sustainable blue investments in the region and to highlight the need for integrating environmental, social, and governance standards in the Blue Economy Model. It also offered an opportunity for key stakeholders, including Ministers, policymakers, investors, and project leads, to connect, collaborate, and inspire innovation in the Blue Economy sector.
H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, moderated the roundtable panel discussion and emphasized the importance of a unified approach to managing the ocean and its resources, especially in the small island context. He gave particular welcome to the ICCF Group, mentioning the critical role it has played in the OECS Assembly as the Secretariat to the OECS Regional Conservation Caucus. The French Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean States, to Barbados and to the OECS, H.E. Francis Entienne, opened the panel emphasizing the importance of Member States in ratifying the United Nations Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and promoting the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) on Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. The ICCF Group’s VP and Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Jaime Cavelier, then presented the value of the Caucus Model and Policy Coherence with respect to the Eastern Caribbean and the Blue Economy Model.
Dr. Jaime Cavelier presenting on Policy Coherence and the Blue Economy Model
Under the GEF-funded, UNEP-implemented project, "Advancing Conservation in the Eastern Caribbean," the ICCF Group also facilitated the participation of Honourable Kerryne James, Grenada Minister for Climate Resilience, The Environment, and Renewable Energy, and Honourable Daren Pinard, Commonwealth of Dominica Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development. The Ministers gave presentations on "Key Crosscutting Issues Essential for Achieving a Blue Economy," and "Advancing Blue Sectors in the OECS to Align with Global Markets," respectively. Lastly, Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, Head of the Environmental Sustainability Division of the OECS, closed the roundtable by reaffirming the OECS’ commitment to regional collaboration and cooperation on sustainable ocean management and good ocean governance matters.
The Saint Lucia Government and the OECS Commission recorded and publicized the event. In attendance were several caucus members and Ministers involved in the ICCF Group-executed project, including:
- Hon. Shawn Edward, Minister in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Co-Chair, Saint Lucia National Conservation Caucus
- Hon. Kerryne James, Minister in the Ministry Climate Change Resilience, The Environment and Renewable Energy, Vice Chair, Grenada Conservation Caucus
- Hon. Daren Pinard, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development in Dominica
- Hon. Senator Dominic Feede, Opposition Member of Saint Lucia National Conservation Caucus
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