OECS Unveils Groundbreaking Ministerial Declaration on Climate-Related Migration

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is making significant strides in addressing climate-related migration and its impact on human security in the Eastern Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). At the upcoming Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week in Panama on October 25, 2023, the OECS will unveil a high-level Ministerial Declaration that underlines its commitment to tackling these critical issues.

The genesis of this Ministerial Declaration can be traced back to the second Immigration Council of Ministers Meeting held on April 13, 2023, in the Commonwealth of Dominica. During this meeting, OECS Member States and Associate Members finalized the declaration, recognizing the challenges faced by SIDS in the Eastern Caribbean due to climate-related hazards, which result in both internal and cross-border displacement.

The declaration goes beyond symbolic commitment and signifies the collective determination of OECS leaders to confront the threats posed by climate change to the region’s survival. It highlights the growing recognition of climate-related migration challenges and the commitment of OECS Member States to address these pressing issues.

This initiative is part of a broader human security program supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the OECS Commission, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD). It is overseen by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

Climate change impacts have significantly increased the vulnerability of Eastern Caribbean SIDS, leading to internal and cross-border displacement. This Ministerial Declaration underscores the urgency of taking action to mitigate climate change’s effects and address the resulting human mobility due to environmental degradation. It emphasizes the importance of allowing vulnerable populations to live free from fear and want while enabling them to live in dignity.

The launch of this Ministerial Declaration at the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week reflects the OECS’s commitment to mitigating climate change’s impact and addressing human mobility resulting from environmental degradation. It marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to ensure the region’s human security amid growing climate challenges.

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