Consultation on governance and development in small island states ends today

Heads of Governments of member countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are today wrapping up a two-day consultation on governance and development in small island states.{{more}}

The consultation, the first of its kind, got underway yesterday (Monday) and is being hosted by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Held at the Buccament Bay Resort, facilitators drawn from several countries of the Commonwealth were engaged in discussions on topics such as: Political Leadership and Effective Public Administration; Reform, Governance and Public Service Development; Policy-making and Public Financial Management; Integrity in Public Office and ICT Governance and Development.

During the opening ceremony, held on Sunday, June 23, at the official residence of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Dr Collin Mc Donald, Regional Adviser, Governance and Institutional Development Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, said that it is his hope that the delegates use the next two days as a medium to focus on the positives and, to a lesser extent, the negative.

“In that sense, I am asking that we should use it so that there could be some lessons which we can learn from each other which we could share and in the final analysis, we could use it for the betterment of the region and its people,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Max Everest Phillips, Director of Governance and Institutional Development Division disclosed that one of the key objectives of the consultation “is to find out what works and what can be imitated around the Commonwealth.

“This is great for the Commonwealth, having shared traditions of public administration, shared values and democracy and human rights.

“I think we are a unique institution of 54 countries and it is a pleasure to have these consultations without practical follow-ups. I really think about how shared traditions enable us to work together to tackle such problems…”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Douglas Slater, along with Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who acted as host, also spoke at the opening ceremony.

Sunday’s opening also featured a musical interlude by Ragga Soca monarch Skarpyon and a cultural presentation by the High Voltage mas band, who entertained the visiting delegates. (AA)