The nine-member Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States celebrates its twenty-second anniversary on June 18th 2003.

The Organisation came into being with the signing of the Treaty of Basseterre in the St. Kitts/Nevis capital on June 18th 1981. At that time the initial grouping comprised Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States was the offshoot of two predecessor groupings – the West Indies Associated States (WISA “why-sah”) Council of Ministers and the Eastern Caribbean Common Market (ECCM).

During the 1990’s Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands joined the grouping as Associate Members to bring the total number of Member States to nine.

Through the Treaty, the participating territories undertook to, among other things:

• Promote cooperation at the regional level and in international relations
• Pursue unity and solidarity and defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence
• Seek to achieve the fullest possible harmonization of foreign policy
• Promote economic integration, and Coordinate, harmonize and pursue joint policies, initially in 17 specified areas including international economic relations, the judiciary, financial management and central banking, tertiary education, mutual defence and security.

Twenty-two years on, the OECS through its Castries-based Secretariat continues to coordinate an ever-expanding programme of activities that Member States have agreed are best done jointly.

The facilitation of a common OECS development charter is among several major achievements of the regional integration movement. A Trade Policy project has been established to help member states measure up to the growing complexities in regional and International Trade. The OECS Export development Unit has tangibly assisted the business sector in product import, market access and exposure. Education Reform has facilitated the development of harmonized systems to enhance the management and efficiency of human resources in accordance with the ever-changing global demands of education systems. The significance of an Environmental Management programme has propelled the declaration of principles for Environmental Management Sustainability in the OECS. This helps to monitor and enhance National Environmental Management Systems. In Judicial reform audio recordings in the high court now replace the tedious hand written note taking by judges. OECS governments are also developing ICT as one of the new pillars for economic growth in the sub region. The OECS Sports programme continues to offer opportunities while acting as a unifying force.

In addition the OECS is a group that now boasts of:

• A single currency and Central Bank
• A single Supreme Court and judicial system
• A single Civil Aviation Administration
• A single pharmaceutical procurement service, and
• A single Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

These are recognized in the region and internationally as shining examples of cooperation providing economies of scale, cost effectiveness, improved efficiency and greater benefits for the people of the OECS.In some way the work of this regional organization touches the lives of each OECS national.