Eastern Caribbean State ministers meet in Dominica in preparation for high-level Forum

The Commonwealth of Dominica, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), welcomed high-ranking government officials from the Eastern Caribbean to State House in Roseau on Friday, August 30, for the Preparatory Meeting of the XVI Ministerial Forum for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. This Ministerial Forum is scheduled to take place in Barbados from October 31 to November 1, focusing on the theme “Resilience in Action: Social policies to navigate uncertainty in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The Preparatory Meeting commenced with the presence of Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, the President of Dominica, and included both in-person and virtual participation from Ministers and senior officials responsible for Social Development, Environment, and Finance from English-speaking member and associate states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), along with representatives from Barbados. The event was initiated by the Hon. Dr. Cassandra Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services, while Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Barbados’ Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, provided remarks to set the context for the upcoming Forum.

Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre, the Representative of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Dominica, delivered the keynote address. He stated, “As we look ahead to the upcoming Ministerial Development Forum, let us leverage this opportunity to collaborate, learn from each other, and work towards a more prosperous and resilient future
for all. Together, with the support of partners like UNDP, I am confident that we can make significant strides in achieving our shared goals of sustainable development and inclusive growth.”

During the meeting, senior specialists from UNDP led roundtable discussions covering topics such as resilience and adaptability in social protection and inclusion, climate vulnerability and social safety nets, digitalization, and financing for social policies. Participants examined innovative strategies to tackle inequality and shocks, enhance the resilience of social safety nets, and foster inclusive economic growth, ensuring they approach the forthcoming Ministerial Forum with clarity and relevant success stories from the wider Caribbean region.

Ms. Limya Eltayeb, the UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted the necessity of articulating the Caribbean perspective, noting that this is the first time the Ministerial Forum is being conducted in-person in the English-speaking Caribbean. She remarked, “Social protection and social justice are needed now more than ever to support vulnerable communities in Latin America and the Caribbean, where almost one third of people live in poverty. The high-risk, high-vulnerability communities and nations are those most exposed to the increasing uncertainties of today’s world. For the Caribbean, that includes more frequentand severe climate events, as well as heightened vulnerability to instability and disruptions in other parts of the globe. This Preparatory Meeting for Eastern Caribbean States has been instrumental to current discussions, will inform new policies, and is timely. We are grateful to the Government of Dominica for partnering with us to host this important event. It was a truly collaborative effort, and we anticipate a dynamic Ministerial Forum in Barbados in October.”

The Ministerial Forum for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean was first convened in 2007 to provide a platform for ministers and decision-makers to share experiences in public policy related to human and social development and to address the region’s emerging challenges. The most recent Forum took place in 2023 in Santiago, Chile.

For additional information about the XVI Ministerial Forum for Development, please visit: https://www.undp.org/latin-america/forodesarrollolac.