The OECS

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an International Inter-governmental Organisation

dedicated to regional integration in the Eastern Caribbean. (June 18th 1981)

The Treaty of Basseterre

The OECS came into being on June 18th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty to cooperate
and promote unity among the Members. The Treaty was signed in the city of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The 1981 Treaty was replaced in 2010 with a Revised Treaty of Basseterre, creating an economic union which is an
agreement between countries where barriers to trade are reduced or removed for a single market with a customs
union. This Revised Treaty was signed on 18th June 2010 in Saint Lucia during the 51st Meeting of the Authority.

Integration
The revised treaty established a single financial and economic space where goods, people and capital move freely.
The countries of this economic union continue to adopt a common approach to trade, health, education and the
environment, as well as the development of critical sectors such as agriculture, tourism and energy.

OECS Strategic Priorities

- Accelerate Regional Integration- To facilitate the establishment of a functional economic union.
- Reinvent the economy- to support the transformations of our economies to become globally competitive.
- Value the environment-to enhance our capacity to leverage Natural Systems for Socio-Economic
development.
- Build reliance- to enhance our ability to plan, manage, mitigate and to respond to natural disasters and
outbreaks.
- Advance Equity and inclusion- to reduce disparities in health, education and social outcomes.

OECS structure
The Authority - are the Heads of Government of the Member States. The Chairmanship of the Authority is rotated
alphabetically by country annually.

The Council of Ministers- This is the second highest decision making body of the Organisation which comprises
appointed Ministers of Government from each Member State.

The OECS Assembly- This is made up of representatives of the elected members of the Houses of Parliament and
Legislatures of the Member States.

The Economic Affairs Council-Ministers are appointed to the Council by the Head of Government of that Member
State. It is responsible for the implementation of the Economic Union and therefore supervises and reviews the
operation of the Protocol.

The OECS Commission-The Commission is led by the Director General with one Commissioner of Ambassadorial
rank from each Member Country. The Commission provides secretariat service and coordinate meetings.
The OECS Commission is located on Morne Fortune, Castries, Saint Lucia.
The current Director General is Dr. Didacus Jules.