On December 3, 2024, Ambassador Perti Ikonen of Finland visited the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) Fee for an essential assembly aimed toward fostering deeper collaboration between Finland and the OECS area. The Ambassador was welcomed by key members of the OECS Fee.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ikonen expressed his gratitude for the chance to interact with specialists from numerous OECS divisions. He emphasised Finland’s dedication to sustainable growth and innovation, notably in areas reminiscent of round economic system, vitality sustainability, and ICT applied sciences.
The assembly supplied a possibility for every OECS division to current an summary of their work. Officer in Cost of the Financial Affairs and Regional Integration Division, Joel Richards, offered the OECS FAST Technique, targeted on boosting meals manufacturing and resilient agriculture. He additionally mentioned the area’s work on freedom of motion and border administration, area of interest tourism advertising, and help for small and medium-sized enterprises. Ambassador Ikonen thanked the OECS for his or her efforts and raised questions concerning the area’s vitality methods, notably in bioenergy.
Programme Director for Local weather Change & Catastrophe Danger Administration, Crispin D’Auvergne and representing the Environmental and Sustainable Improvement Division, highlighted the OECS Inexperienced Blue Financial system initiative, which goals to foster a climate-resilient economic system. He offered key ESD tasks, reminiscent of GeoBuild and the EU-funded BioSpace Undertaking, to which Ambassador Ikonen, as a member of the European Union, confirmed eager curiosity.
Sisera Simon, Head of the Human and Social Improvement Division, and Germain Anthony from the Training Unit additionally supplied useful insights into the Fee’s work in these sectors talking on enhancing high quality of life by strategic sector methods, OECS schooling priorities, together with digital studying instruments and instructor growth.
Ambassador Ikonen concluded the session by offering an summary of Finland’s efforts in international sustainability, notably in vitality. He famous that Finland is a frontrunner in sustainable vitality practices and expressed curiosity within the OECS becoming a member of international initiatives associated to the round economic system. He invited the OECS to attend the World Financial Convention in São Paulo subsequent yr, the place innovation and round economic system matters could be mentioned.
In his closing remarks, Basic Counsel of the OECS Fee, Dwight Lay, on behalf of OECS Director Basic Dr. Didacus Jules, thanked Ambassador Ikonen for his go to and expressed hope that this assembly would function a basis for additional collaboration. He highlighted the significance of working collectively to develop significant areas of cooperation for the mutual good thing about Finland and the OECS area.
The assembly underscored the rising partnership between Finland and the OECS, notably in areas of sustainable growth, vitality, and innovation. Finland’s help for the round economic system and its continued engagement with the OECS provides thrilling alternatives for future collaboration.
Ambassador Ikonen can be accredited to Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Commonwealth of Dominica, and his go to marks an essential step in strengthening ties between Finland and the OECS area.
