OECS and Dominica take over chairmanship of CARICOM Group in Geneva
Key Points(5)
- The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Commonwealth of Dominica have assumed the chairmanship of the CARICOM Group in Geneva, following a formal handover ceremony on Wednesday, July 29.
- The transition took place at Haiti’s mission in Geneva, where Haiti concluded its tenure as chair of the group’s rotating annual leadership.
- The CARICOM Group in Geneva is made up of ambassadors and heads of mission from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomatic missions accredited in Geneva.
- Members include The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago.
- The missions represent their countries at the United Nations and other international organisations based in Geneva, including the World Trade Organization.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Commonwealth of Dominica have assumed the chairmanship of the CARICOM Group in Geneva, following a formal handover ceremony on Wednesday, July 29.
The transition took place at Haiti’s mission in Geneva, where Haiti concluded its tenure as chair of the group’s rotating annual leadership.
The CARICOM Group in Geneva is made up of ambassadors and heads of mission from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomatic missions accredited in Geneva. Members include The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago.
The missions represent their countries at the United Nations and other international organisations based in Geneva, including the World Trade Organization.
The group operates under the framework of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which calls on CARICOM member states to coordinate their foreign policies. Through regular meetings, the Geneva-based missions align their positions on issues before the various UN agencies and international bodies that make up International Geneva.
The work of the heads of mission is supported by technical experts from the member states’ diplomatic missions.
As the new chair, the OECS and Dominica will lead the group’s efforts over the coming year. The Permanent Delegation of the OECS in Geneva is headed by Ambassador Colin Murdoch, while Dominica’s mission is led by Chargé d’Affaires Kamila Bell.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Bell acknowledged the challenges facing the region amid shifting global dynamics.
“Our group faces a challenging year ahead because of the volatility in international relations and the many changes taking place,” she said. “But we will work assiduously with our colleagues to secure and promote the interests of the small states of the Caribbean region.”
Murdoch highlighted the importance of collaboration and collective leadership in advancing Caribbean priorities on the international stage.
“Leadership matters,” he said. “The missions of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the OECS can and will coordinate the policies of the CARICOM Group in Geneva to better serve the interests of our region.”
The transition reflects the OECS and Dominica’s continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring that the interests of Caribbean small states remain visible and coordinated within the multilateral system.
