Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on OECS member states to reframe their identities as large ocean states rather than small island developing states, pressing the regional body to capitalise on vast maritime resources that he says have been long overlooked.
According to Antigua.news, Browne made the declaration during his address as incoming chairman of the OECS Authority, reminding fellow heads of government that the organisation holds jurisdiction over approximately 500,000 square kilometres of ocean space.
"We must shift the paradigm and recognise that we are not necessarily small island developing states. We are large ocean states. That is where our competence lies, and we cannot continue to have our back to the oceans," Browne told delegates.
The Prime Minister cited figures placing the Caribbean blue economy's annual value at approximately US$5 billion in seafood, US$39.9 billion in oil and gas, and US$57 billion in tourism. He directed the Authority to instruct the Commission to produce a blue economy investment portfolio within six months.
Browne also argued that the region's governments and private sector should move to exploit these resources through direct partnerships rather than relying on foreign direct investment, contending that profits retained within the region would fuel stronger economic growth.
Alongside his blue economy push, the Prime Minister called for sweeping institutional reform within the OECS Commission itself. He noted that he had already raised the matter privately with Director General Dr Didicus Jules before bringing it before the full Authority.
"We must re-engineer the OECS Commission into a leaner, faster, and more effective institution that is fit for purpose," Browne said. "I'm asking the Director General to develop a reform plan that improves delivery, reduces costs, and strengthens the commission's ability to better serve our people."
Browne made clear that the Commission must keep pace with the demands he intends to place on it throughout his chairmanship.
