Participants in the inaugural meeting of the Steering Group of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) for the Wider Caribbean, held at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, May 13-14.
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada--Grenada has proudly hosted the inaugural meeting of the Steering Group of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) for the Wider Caribbean, held at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort from May 13 to 14. The meeting marked the formal launch and operationalising of the OCM – a coordination and collaboration platform designed to strengthen marine resources governance and management across our region.
The event brought together representatives from 18 States and Territories and seven intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), alongside observers and regional institutions. Grenada’s Ambassador and Special Envoy for Oceans, Ambassador Jerry Enoe, was appointed to serve as Chair of the Steering Group, reinforcing Grenada’s leadership on oceans.
“The launch of this Steering Group is more than a procedural step, it is a regional signal of intent. The OCM must evolve into a platform that aligns our fragmented efforts, strengthens national capacities, and ensures the [Wider Caribbean – Ed.] region moves with one voice in the global ocean space,” said Ambassador Enoe.
This meeting builds on over a decade of preparatory work under the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) Strategic Action Programme, and is widely seen as a response to persistent fragmentation in regional marine governance. The Steering Group adopted its Rules of Procedure, confirmed the PROCARIBE+ regional Project Management and Coordination Unit (PMCU) as OCM Secretariat, and began work on a 2025-2028 Work Programme and Budget.
Grenada’s leadership was further underscored by opening remarks delivered by Permanent Secretary (PS) Peron Johnson of the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, on behalf of Lennox Andrews, Minister for the Blue Economy and Marine Affairs. The remarks reaffirmed Grenada’s early commitment to the Mechanism and emphasised the urgency of coordinated responses to trans-boundary challenges – including marine pollution, loss of marine habitats and biodiversity, illegal fishing and the increasing threat of Sargassum influxes.
“Grenada has long advocated for collective governance. With this meeting, the boat is figuratively leaving the harbour. We need to ensure this mechanism has a clear direction, a full crew and the resources needed to navigate,” stated PS Johnson.
The Ocean Coordination Mechanism was created under a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed by regional governments and IGOs. Its purpose is to support a holistic, integrated approach to ocean governance, in the pursuit of healthy marine and coastal ecosystems as key drivers for human well-being and thriving ocean-based economies.
The establishment of the Steering Group and the work it conducted from May 13 to 14, is widely seen as a critical milestone for the region as it builds a more strategic, results-driven ocean governance architecture. Key upcoming priorities for the Coordination Mechanism include the development of a new regional Ocean Action Programme, coordination of reporting on marine ecosystem health, and support for national ocean governance processes.
The OCM’s architecture includes a Steering Group composed of signatory States and Territories, an Executive Group of regional IGOs, and a Secretariat. Its work is supported by the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility/UN Office for Project Services (UNDP/GEF/UNOPS) PROCARIBE+ Project. ~ OECS ~
