标签： Dominica

Against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global geopolitical landscape, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is moving to amplify its collective diplomatic influence, as member states work to navigate growing international uncertainty. The push for stronger unified action emerged as a central focus of the 10th Meeting of the OECS Council of Ministers: Foreign Affairs (COM:FA), held on September 20 in New York. The gathering took place on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, bringing together top diplomatic officials from across the sub-region.

Opening the meeting, OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules emphasized that sustained coordination between member states and adaptive diplomatic institutions are critical to responding effectively to evolving global challenges. “Our region’s strength has always rooted in our ability to act in concert,” Jules stated, per the official OECS press release. “This gathering reaffirms that our diplomatic framework must evolve alongside the rapidly changing world around us.”

Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, the meeting also marked a formal handover of the Council’s Chairmanship. D. Fitzgerald Bramble, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the outgoing chair, formally transferred the role to E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda.

Bramble noted that the leadership transition occurs at a time when long-standing norms of the international system are facing unprecedented strain. “As established international certainties face growing tests, this handover reinforces the urgent need for a more cohesive, strategically aligned OECS,” he explained.

In accepting the chairmanship, Greene underscored the unique economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities that small island developing states face, and renewed the call for deeper unity and cross-regional coordination. He outlined key infrastructure priorities to drive regional integration, including strengthened inter-island transportation links: improved air connectivity, reliable passenger and cargo sea routes, and expanded market access across Central and South America.

“Governments can lay out the necessary policy frameworks, but building functional, sustainable transport networks will require collaboration from airlines, port authorities, exporters, importers, financial bodies and private investors,” Greene added.

Per OECS officials, Greene also argued that foreign policy should be intentionally leveraged to advance the economic and development goals of all member states. His outlined priorities for his term include safeguarding the OECS Economic Union, securing fair global regulatory treatment for Citizenship by Investment and regional financial services programs, expanding access to international climate finance, advancing air and maritime connectivity improvements, and upholding multilateralism and international law.

Meeting attendees also reached consensus on plans to boost the diplomatic implementation capacity of the OECS Commission. This institutional strengthening is designed to improve cross-member coordination and policy delivery, ultimately giving OECS member states greater collective leverage on the international stage.

Discussions across the meeting covered a wide range of strategic topics, including expanding the OECS’s network of external partnerships, advancing trade and maritime connectivity, addressing regional developments with both humanitarian and diplomatic ramifications, and continuing to strengthen shared diplomatic and institutional structures. Ministers reviewed ongoing regional programs and reaffirmed their commitment to regular cross-member consultation.

The Council also scheduled a special Foreign Ministers’ Retreat to take place before the end of 2026. The retreat will provide a dedicated space for ministers to conduct in-depth strategic planning for the OECS’s positioning and priorities in the face of ongoing global order changes.

In addition to the leadership representatives from the outgoing and incoming chair states, the meeting was attended by senior diplomatic figures from across OECS membership. These included St. Lucia’s Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste, Grenada’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Roxie McLeish-Hutchinson, St. Kitts and Nevis’ UN Permanent Representative Dr. Mutryce Williams, Antigua and Barbuda’s UN Ambassador Walton Webson, First Secretary of Antigua and Barbuda’s UN Mission Asha Challenger, and OECS Chief of Staff and Strategic Diplomacy Dr. Kisha Grant.

In a closing statement, OECS officials reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to a unified, forward-looking foreign policy agenda, and its mission to strengthen the region’s collective ability to advance and defend the shared interests of member states on the global stage. The chairmanship transition has also been independently confirmed by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which officially noted Bramble’s exit from the role and Greene’s succession in its public accounting of the September 20 meeting.

Against a backdrop of persistent agricultural labour gaps and shifting demographic trends that threaten Dominica’s national food security goals, cross-sector stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society have convened to build a cohesive, inclusive framework for integrating migrant labour into the country’s farming sector. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Dominica partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy to host the Technical Validation Workshop for the Policy and Action Plan for Integrating Migrant Labour into the Agricultural Sector of Dominica, held at the Prevost Cinemall.

The two-day workshop brought together representatives from all affected groups to review the draft policy and accompanying implementation plan, flag unaddressed gaps, and submit actionable revisions to ensure the final framework aligns with the on-the-ground needs of local farmers, migrant workers, and public agencies tasked with regulating labour migration. This collaborative effort is a core component of the broader Development of the Agricultural Sector in Dominica by Strengthening Migration Governance initiative.

In her opening address to attendees, Viola Pascal, Project Coordinator for IOM Dominica, outlined that the draft policy and action plan were developed following a gender-inclusive agricultural labour assessment that centered the lived experiences and input of stakeholders across all segments of the sector. Pascal explained that widespread labour shortages and ongoing demographic shifts have made migrant labour an increasingly critical pillar of sustaining agricultural output and upholding national food security. She stressed, however, that a well-functioning system depends on clear regulatory guidelines, improved inter-agency coordination, dignified working conditions, and robust legal protections for all migrant workers. “This policy and action plan, developed by the government with IOM’s support, marks a critical milestone toward streamlining and formalizing this process,” Pascal noted.

Honourable Roland Royer, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, identified consistent access to a reliable agricultural workforce as one of the most pressing barriers holding back Dominican farmers and the country’s push to expand domestic food production. Minister Royer shared that through the government’s existing temporary migrant farm labour programme, 189 migrant workers have already entered the country to support agricultural operations, directly benefiting 47 local farming operations. He emphasized a key point that guides the government’s approach: migrant workers are not intended to displace Dominican workers, but rather fill critical labour gaps where local workers cannot meet current demand.

Minister Royer also noted that migrant labour integration is only one part of a broader transformation of Dominica’s agricultural sector. Long-term resilience, he argued, requires expanded investment in mechanization, broader adoption of modern agricultural technologies, and targeted outreach to encourage young Dominican people to view farming as a viable, rewarding long-term career. “What we need is a system that is clear, coordinated, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all farmers while protecting the rights and welfare of workers,” Royer stated.

The workshop structured discussion into two focused technical sessions to allow for deep, targeted review of the proposed framework. Dr. Schuyler Esprit, Head Consultant at Create Caribbean, led the first session, which centered on the overarching policy goals and regulatory structure for integrating migrant labour into Dominican agriculture. The second session, facilitated by Create Caribbean’s Project Manager and Research Assistant, gave attendees space to examine the step-by-step implementation action plan and contribute revisions to improve its feasibility and impact.

For participating stakeholders, the workshop reinforced how critical cross-sector input is to building a policy that works for all groups. LeSean Peter, a delegate from the Dominica National Council of Women, called the convening insightful, noting the value of creating structured spaces where stakeholders can address challenging topics and contribute meaningfully to the policy development process. Emmanuel Joseph, Agriculture Officer for the East Agricultural Region, echoed this perspective, highlighting that migrant labour governance extends far beyond the agricultural sector alone. While agriculture remains the focus of the policy, Joseph noted that stakeholders from public health, labour regulation, and national security all have critical roles to play in successful implementation.

The Technical Validation Workshop marks another key step toward establishing a formal, responsive system for managing migrant agricultural labour that meets the needs of farmers while upholding the rights and well-being of migrant workers. Moving forward, IOM Dominica will continue collaborating with the Government of Dominica and cross-sector stakeholders to finalize the policy and action plan. The overarching goal of the effort is to strengthen national migration governance while building a more productive, resilient agricultural sector that can support Dominica’s long-term food security goals.

The small Caribbean nation of Dominica is in mourning this week following the death of Desiree John, 78, the widow of Patrick John — the country’s first prime minister after it achieved independence in 1978. Mrs. John passed away on Tuesday, September 22, while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Dominica-Friendship Hospital. As of Wednesday, no official cause of death has been released to the public.

Top political figures from across Dominica’s partisan divide have stepped forward to honor her legacy and offer condolences to her grieving family. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking from the floor of Parliament, opened the legislative session with reflections on Mrs. John’s unrecognized contributions to Dominica during the critical early years of the nation’s statehood.

Though Desiree John never held an official appointed or elected position in government, Skerrit emphasized that her steady support for her husband during his tenure in national leadership represented an important contribution to the country’s development during one of the most pivotal periods of its modern history. Patrick John, popularly known across the country by his nickname “PJ,” led the Dominica Labour Party and served as the nation’s first prime minister following independence from the United Kingdom. He passed away in July 2021 at the age of 83.

Opposition United Progressive Party leader Joshua Francis also issued a formal statement on the party’s behalf, extending heartfelt sympathy to the entire John family. Francis echoed Skerrit’s framing of Mrs. John’s life as deeply connected to the defining moments of Dominica’s post-independence journey, praising her personal character and commitment to her loved ones.

“Mrs. John leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength, resilience, devotion to family, and steadfastness through some of the defining moments of our nation’s journey,” Francis wrote in his statement. He extended condolences to her children, grandchildren, extended relatives, and close friends, noting that the entire nation of Dominica joins the family in mourning her loss. Francis closed his statement by expressing hope that cherished memories of Mrs. John would bring the family comfort in this difficult time, adding, “May her soul rest in eternal peace.”

In a significant step toward strengthening consumer safeguards and regulating the domestic banking sector, Dominica’s House of Assembly greenlit the Banking Amendment Bill 2026 on Tuesday, rolling out a series of updated rules designed to tighten oversight of how commercial banks interact with their customers.

The legislative changes expand the regulatory purview of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), granting the institution broader authority to supervise the market conduct of licensed lending institutions. Under the newly introduced provisions outlined for parliament, all covered banks will be legally mandated to uphold fair treatment for customers and formalize robust internal mechanisms to resolve consumer complaints in a timely manner.

A key structural change enabled by the bill is the establishment of a dedicated office for financial market conduct and financial inclusion within the ECCB. This new unit will take ownership of two core priorities: overseeing compliance with consumer protection standards and rolling out mandated financial education initiatives for the public. The legislation also codifies clear financial penalties for institutions that fail to meet the new requirements, creating enforceable accountability for non-compliance.

During parliamentary debate on the bill, Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre clarified key details of the new framework, addressing concerns about the scope of the legislation and its potential impact on consumers and community financial institutions. Dr. McIntyre confirmed that the amendments add a new layer of ECCB oversight over the service and transaction fees that banks charge their customers, a common point of consumer concern in the region.

He emphasized that the regulatory changes only apply to financial institutions already licensed and supervised directly by the ECCB, explicitly excluding credit unions from the new requirements. “The Banking Amendment Act only refers to financial institutions licensed and regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, so credit unions do not come under this, so there will be no added costs to any of the members of the credit union,” Dr. McIntyre stated.

He went on to note that by monitoring bank fees, the legislation directly addresses widespread consumer worries about rising banking costs. “Even within this Bill, the concern of yours, as for the cost for the customers, this Bill also monitors this,” he added.

Dr. McIntyre framed the reform as a positive step forward for both consumers and the broader financial sector. “From the point of view of the welfare of the consumers that’s important and also in terms of the fairness to the financial sector and how efficient and how sustainable it is that’s also very important,” he said.

The bill also includes provisions designed to increase consumer choice in the banking market, a development Dr. McIntyre highlighted as a particularly encouraging outcome. Beyond expanding choice, the strengthened oversight framework is expected to boost overall public confidence in the domestic banking system. “All in all, it is really an effective system to redress consumer concerns,” he noted.

Looking at the bigger policy picture, Dr. McIntyre argued the bill aligns with the country’s long-term national development goals and strengthens the overall resilience of Dominica’s financial system. “This is moving in the right direction considering where we are in our national development agenda and in terms of our financial resilience,” he told the House. “This Bill adds to our financial resilience, not just resilience in terms of us having money for a rainy day, but in terms of how we conduct business in the country.”

On a historic Tuesday sitting of Dominica’s House of Assembly, Ashma McDougall officially took office as the newly elected Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau North Constituency, marking the start of her tenure representing local residents.

McDougall’s ascent to the seat follows her decisive victory in the September 7 by-election, called after former representative Miriam Blanchard stepped down from the position on June 12, leaving the constituency seat vacant. Final vote counts released by the Electoral Office confirm McDougall secured a clear win, pulling 1,473 votes to outpace her closest challenger, United Workers Party nominee Daniel “Danny” Lugay, who earned 998 votes. Independent candidate Sherman Boston finished third with 49 votes.

During the formal swearing-in ceremony, McDougall took the required Oath of Allegiance, formalizing her position in the national legislative body. Following the oath-taking, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and fellow sitting members of the House of Assembly extended their congratulations and officially welcomed McDougall to the legislature.

In her maiden address to the chamber after taking her seat, McDougall revealed that she had already begun outreach and collaborative work with Roseau North stakeholders even before her formal swearing-in. She noted that multiple productive meetings have already been held with local community organizations, neighborhood improvement committees, and everyday residents to align with the mandate voters granted her in the by-election.

“I am really looking forward to delivering to the people of Roseau North within the constituency,” McDougall told the assembly. “Work has already begun; actually, we have been meeting with community groups, improvement committees and other persons within the constituency, because we recognize that with this heavy mandate that has been delivered, it will take not only the parliamentary representative or the Dominica Labour Party but multiple individuals across the entire constituency, from different backgrounds and different political colours.”

McDougall closed her opening remarks by offering sincere gratitude to the people of Roseau North, her on-the-ground campaign team, and her campaign manager, Ambassador Ian Douglas, for the widespread support they provided throughout the by-election race. She emphasized her commitment to inclusive representation, saying she is eager to work alongside all community members regardless of political affiliation to advance the constituency’s priorities during her term.