The high-level meeting, hosted by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission in partnership with Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), brought together government officials, civil society actors, private sector stakeholders, and regional experts.

Discussions covered climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, sustainable tourism, agriculture, and new avenues for economic growth.

Chamberlain Emmanuel, Head of the OECS Environmental Division, said the forum created a space for Caribbean voices to frame solutions to the region’s most pressing vulnerabilities.

“We have representatives from our member states, from government ministries, civil society, the private sector, and regional agencies who know these issues well and are able to grapple with the challenges and propose solutions,” Emmanuel noted.

“The dialogue has highlighted gaps in capacity and finance, but also innovative approaches, placing priority on youth, gender, community involvement, technology, and data.”

For the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the dialogue underscored the importance of global partnerships in facing shared threats. Dr. Mitsutaku Makino, President of the SPF Ocean Policy Research Institute, emphasised that climate change remains the most urgent challenge.

“In my understanding, the biggest and most serious challenge is, of course, climate change. Yes, this is so serious. At the same time, under today’s shifting political and economic landscape, including uncertainties linked to the United States, we must reconstruct our strategies and strengthen relationships among countries,” he said.

The dialogue, which forms part of an ongoing collaboration between the OECS and SPF, aims to ensure that the Caribbean’s development concerns remain at the forefront of international policymaking, while mobilising the resources and partnerships needed for SIDS to thrive.