BVI delegates to attend 48th OECS authority meeting in Montserrat
~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola -
A three-man delegation from the Territory will join their Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States counterparts for the 48th meeting of the OECS Authority this week.
The meeting which begins in Montserrat tomorrow with an opening ceremony will be attended by Representative for the Fifth Electoral District Honourable Elvis Harrigan, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams and Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms. Najan Christopher.
In addition to adopting the report of the 47th meeting of the OECS Authority, the delegates will discuss a range of issues relating to the OECS economic union and Trinidad and Tobago’s interest in becoming part of this union, geopolitical relations, trade, macro-economic development, social and sustainable development.
Agenda items for the three-day meeting include the OECS perspective on preparation for CARICOM/Canada trade negotiations and the implementation of the recently signed CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The status of the Regional Integration Unit and Memoranda of Understanding with Spain and Puerto Rico and the procedures for accreditation are also listed on the agenda.
On the subject of macro-economic development, delegates will discuss the development strategy and get an update on preparatory work as well as implementation arrangements for the Electronic Government for Regional Integration Project (E-GRIP).
Investment by OECS member states in biodiversity management will also be discussed specifically the OECS Protected Areas and Associated Livelihoods (OPAAL) and Eastern Caribbean Region’s Biodiversity (PERB) projects.
On the issue of disaster management, discussions will focus on the BTOOL National Assessment of disaster preparedness, response and resilience.
Before wrapping up their meeting on Friday, the OECS delegates will also discuss the HIV/AIDS Project Unit (HAPU), the Pharmaceutical Procurement Service (PPS) and the status of the 2008 OECS Human Development Report.
The OECS Authority is the highest decision making body of the organisation and is comprised of the Heads of Government of member states. The OECS came into being on June 18, 1981 with the signing of the Treaty of Basseterre. The organisation is comprised of nine members including two associate members, one of which is the British Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News