Ministers responsible for environmental sustainability across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States will meet in Dominica later this month as the region intensifies efforts to confront mounting climate and environmental threats facing Small Island Developing States.

The 13th Council of Ministers: Environmental Sustainability Meeting (COM:ES 13) is scheduled for May 27-28 under the theme, “The OECS Collective Resolve: Innovative Pathways in a High-Risk Global Landscape”.

The high-level meeting, to be chaired by Cozier Frederick, Dominica’s minister for environment, rural modernisation, Kalinago upliftment and constituency empowerment, will bring together ministers, technical experts, development agencies and environmental practitioners from across the OECS and wider international community.

Organisers say the discussions come at a critical time for the Caribbean, as countries continue grappling with the growing impact of climate change, environmental degradation and disaster vulnerability.

A major focus of the meeting will be strengthening regional cooperation and identifying practical, coordinated solutions to improve environmental sustainability and resilience throughout the OECS.

The discussions will build on commitments made during COM:ES 10, where ministers endorsed the OECS Environmental Sustainability Roadmap to 2030, aligned with the St George’s Declaration for Environmental Sustainability and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.

Over the two days, ministers and technical specialists are expected to examine a wide range of environmental priorities, including ocean governance, fisheries management, pollution control, biodiversity protection, land and water management, renewable energy and disaster resilience.

Climate finance, ecosystem restoration, marine pollution and sustainable fisheries are also expected to feature prominently on the agenda, alongside ongoing regional concerns surrounding sargassum influxes and water resource management.

Regional and international agencies expected to participate include the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the World Bank, the European Union, Expertise France and International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Ahead of the ministerial sessions, the OECS Commission and the Government of Dominica will host an Environmental Sustainability Exhibition from May 25-28 at the Goodwill Parish Hall in Roseau under the sub-theme, “From Aspiration to Focused Action”.

The exhibition will highlight environmental initiatives and climate-focused projects from across the region, with particular attention on renewable energy, mangrove restoration and sargassum management.

Visitors will also be able to experience interactive displays, educational exhibits, videos and virtual reality presentations showcasing how Caribbean countries are responding to climate and environmental challenges.

Several regional programmes are expected to be featured, including the EU-funded BioSPACE and Integrated Landscape Management programmes, the Resilient Ecosystems Through Mangrove Restoration Project and the Sargassum Regional Strategies for Ecosystem-Based Actions initiative.

The OECS Commission said COM:ES 13 will serve as an important platform to reinforce collective regional action and advance sustainable and resilient development across the Eastern Caribbean.