While the premier and other senior leaders held high-level meetings in London this week, two other government ministers travelled to St. Kitts and Nevis for regional sessions hosted by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
The talks were organised in part to bring together health and education ministers from around the region.
Yesterday and Tuesday, Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley was scheduled to attend the Ninth OECS Council of Ministers of Human and Social Development and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Council of Ministers for Health, Human and Social Development and Education, according to government. Meanwhile, Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro was scheduled to travel to the twin-island federation from Tuesday through Saturday to attend the Ninth OECS Council of Ministers of Education.
Government did not provide further information on Ms. de Castro’s trip, but it stated that Mr. Wheatley would be accompanied by Tasha Bertie, his acting permanent secretary, while attending meetings under the theme “Regional Development and Sustainability through Quality Education and Social Empowerment.”
High-level caucus
Among other high-level sessions, Mr. Wheatley was scheduled to participate in a caucus with his counterparts from around the region.
He was also invited to co-chair the joint meeting with education ministers in his capacity as chair of the Ninth OECS Council of Ministers for Health last October in the VI, according to government.
The agenda of the human and social development council included reviewing the OECS Social Inclusion and Social Protection Action Plan (2023-2030) and seeking support from regional agencies for more adaptive social protection measures, according to government.
Health declaration
The joint council of health and education ministers was scheduled to review the OECS Education Strategy and the Fort-de-France Declaration on Health, government stated.
The joint council also planned to tackle regional challenges by encouraging collaboration between ministries to create joint policies for sustainable development.
Mr. Wheatley said education, social development and health are critical pillars of national development, especially in small island developing states like the OECS members.
“In the Caribbean, especially the OECS region, the synergy between ministries and sectors is not just important: It’s essential for sustainable growth,” he said. “Each sector, whether focused on health, education or social development, is critical in our society.”
Acting ministers
While Mr. Wheatley is away from the territory, Junior Minister of Agriculture and Tourism Dr. Karl Dawson will act in his place.
Meanwhile, Junior Minister of Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith will act in Ms. de Castro’s place.
