WTO pledges to deepen co-operation with the OECS

Deputy Director-General (DDG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Johanna Hill made an official visit to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) from August 19-21, 2024. Hill travelled to Grenada on August 19 and to Saint Lucia on August 21, where she held discussions with public and private sector officials, as well as representatives of the OECS Commission, a release from the OECS Secretariat states.

During the visit, the official took the opportunity to discuss matters related to the WTO’s fisheries subsidies agreement and ongoing negotiations, trade in services, investment facilitation for development, the role of the WTO in supporting climate action, agriculture and food security, and the reform of the WTO’s dispute settlement system.

In Grenada, she met with, among others, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, Joseph Andall; Minister of Econo Development,Planning, Tourism, Creative Economy, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry and Fisheries. Lennox Andrews; Mr. Ronald Theodore, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Investment and Development Corporation, Ronald Theodore; and Permanent Secretary for Trade and Export Development, Patricia Clarke.

In Saint Lucia, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, the current OECS Authority Chairman, welcomed the WTO Deputy Director-General. In his remarks, he stated: “The OECS is committed to the effective functioning of the international trading system, and especially to the effective functioning of the WTO. In these turbulent times, we see the WTO as our protection against arbitrary and unfair terms of trade. We hope the visit of Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill signals a strengthening of the technical and other cooperation between the WTO and OECS member states.”

Hill also had discussions with Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, Emma Hippolyte; Director-General of the OECS Commission, Dr Didacus Jules.

“The World Trade Organization’s visit to the OECS provided a valuable opportunity to witness first hand the impactful work being done on the ground by the Member States and the OECS Commission. Through productive discussions with government officials and trade experts in Grenada and Saint Lucia, we focused on key areas such as agriculture, services, digital trade, climate change and disaster preparedness, moving forward with the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and enhancing trade facilitation,” the WTO official said.

“ The WTO remains committed to deepening collaboration with the OECS, providing technical assistance, and supporting efforts to strengthen trade and economic resilience across the region.”

Dr. Jules emphasised the continuing importance and relevance of the WTO, especially for small, vulnerable economies and small island developing states such as those of the OECS, which rely on the stability, predictability, and legal certainty that the WTO provides to navigate an often hostile and volatile world.

Through its Diplomatic Mission in Geneva, the OECS intends to continue and intensify its engagements at the WTO. On behalf of the WTO, Deputy Director-General Hill also signalled her interest in deepening cooperation with the OECS.