Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on OECS member states to fundamentally rethink their relationship with the ocean, declaring that the region can no longer afford to turn its back on the vast maritime resources at its disposal. According to Antigua.news, Browne made the remarks during his address as incoming chairman of the OECS Authority.
Browne reminded fellow heads of government that the OECS holds jurisdiction over approximately 500,000 square kilometres of ocean space, and pressed the Secretariat to produce a blue economy investment portfolio within six months.
"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," he told delegates.
The prime minister cited figures valuing the Caribbean blue economy at approximately US$5 billion annually in seafood, US$39.9 billion in oil and gas, and US$57 billion in tourism. He urged the Authority to direct the Commission to act swiftly on these opportunities.
Browne argued that regional governments and the private sector should partner directly to exploit these resources, rather than depending on foreign direct investment. Profits retained within the region, he said, could drive more robust and self-sustaining economic growth.
Alongside his blue economy push, the prime minister paired a broader call for institutional reform within the OECS Commission itself. He revealed he had already raised the matter privately with Director General Dr. Didicus Jules.
Browne said the Commission must become a leaner, faster, and more effective body capable of keeping pace with the demands he intends to place on it during his chairmanship.
"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."
