BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. Terrance Drew has urged members of the sub-regional grouping to continue to show strength in leadership in order to navigate successfully a changing global environment.
St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew addressing opening ceremony of OECS Summit on Sunday night (CMC Photo)Drew, the St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister, told the 42nd anniversary of the sub-regional grouping that coincided with the opening ceremony of its 73rd meeting here on Sunday night, that he was assuming the chairmanship at a time more than ever when sustainable development of the people of the sub-region was needed.
“The work of development is never done. It is an enduring commitment of a nation of every generation to all citizens and of those who are trusted with the responsibility of leadership. We are proud members of the OECS, sisters and brothers connected by a common history and committed to a common cause.
“In the OECS, each leaders brings a particular vision and focus to the cooperation and development agenda,” said Drew, who last August led his St. Kitts -Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) to victory in the general election.
“Strong institutions are needed to deliver development for the region. It includes a strong Authority (OECS Commission) ably led with high functioning motivated effective and motivated staff that must inspire confidence in the public…and foster the cooperative partnerships and relationships which are so important in the complex and precarious geo-political societies and economies which characterizes the globe today and of which the OECS is a part,” Drew said outlining d the strategic priorities of his chairmanship .
He said he was also assuming the chairmanship of the nine-member grouping at start of the annual Atlantic hurricane season, “ a period which far too often spelt fear and havoc for our people.
“The OECS region is still reeling from the economic and social impact of COVID-19. We are being knocked by the price rises and challenges posed by the Russian-Ukraine war and we stand on the frontlines of the battle with climate change, a crisis which is not of our making and which we cannot afford environmentally or economically.”
Drew said that the sub-region was also having to deal with inflation and a volatile labor market that are “raining heavy blows on the incomes and ability of our people to maintain themselves.
“Small island Developing States are struggling against geo-political and economic forces which threaten to overwhelm the small and vulnerable,” he said, noting however that he citizens of the OECS are looking to their leaders for modern technologies, upgraded resilient infrastructure, social and economic empowerment and “opportunities that will provide them lives of dignity.
“It is against this backdrop that I identify where I think my focus should lie,” he said, making reference to what he termed d”five areas of special attention.
He said these would be youth, health, violence as a public health issue, security, energy and the environment.
Drew said that it was important for young people to be able to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the sub-region at a time of advances in technology.
“Our youths need to think that our countries have something to offer them, that they have opportunities for economic and social growth…that they can receive living wages and income,” he said.
“Unless we make new space for our OECS youth we risk an unprecedented brain drain at a time when most need the creativity and energy of our young people,” he said.
The OECS leaders will be discussing several issues during their summit here including regional integration, security, health, and renewable energy.
The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin islands.
