BRADES, Montserrat (February 28, 2011) – Chief Minister of Montserrat Hon. Reuben T. Meade on Monday accepted the chairmanship of the Overseas Countries & Territories Association (OCTA) Ministerial Conference.

Speaking in New Caledonia at the European Union and OCT Forum, which is the annual gathering of representatives from all of the OCTs and EU Member States, the chief minister said it was “both an honour and a privilege to serve the OCTA family in this office.  I see my election not only as a serious responsibility but as an opportunity to support the diverse agenda of the OCTs.”

Meade said the targets set by the EU to be achieved by the year 2020 provide “the basis for hope in the OCTs, if we can fully benefit from such an agenda.” These include:

i. Employment of 75% of their 20 – 64 year old.
ii. Investment of 3% of EU’s GDP in Research, Development and Innovation.
iii. Reduction of greenhouse gases by 20% below the 1990 levels (conditioned on international agreement).
iv. Achieving 20% energy from renewable and 20% increase in energy efficiency.
v. Reduction of the school drop-out rates to below 10% and at least 40% of 30 – 34 year olds completing tertiary education or its equivalent.
vi. Reduction in the levels of poverty and social exclusion by committing to 20 million fewer people at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

However, he said “we must strive for simplicity above complexity; social justice and order above discrimination and pride; and, a cleaner and more sustainable environment above destruction and greed.

“It is no doubt a challenging time to be the Chairman of OCTA.  We must face the:
• effects of protracted global economic and financial decline;
• falling levels of disposable incomes of our people; and
• increasing challenges of war and natural disasters and their demand on scarce resources.

“There is a need for open discussion about where we all are today.  A discussion about what needs to be done individually and collectively to achieve a sustainable future and a realistic allocation of resources to make that future happen. That discussion will include pushing for progress on the [Economic Development Fund] EDF 10 programmes.  We continue to face many difficulties in the finalization of the frameworks for the funds to be released,” Chief Minister Meade stated.

He said the OCTs are encountering “the continuous changing of the goal posts in the development of the relevant documentation and processes.  We must strive to develop an understanding with the relevant officials in the relevant directorate to overcome these difficulties.”

Minister Meade reiterated his commitment to working with all the OCTs and the European Union to build and focus efforts on a sustainable future and hoped that the Brussels meeting, he is to chair later this year, will show that substantial progress had been made and OCTs “would feel much better about the future of our people.”