Last Updated on August 3, 2026, 11:32 PM AST by Anthony Morris
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat has announced that the Commonwealth of Dominica and the OECS have officially assumed the chairmanship of the CARICOM Group in Geneva. The organisation is succeeding Haiti, who served in the chairmanship for 2026-27.
The change of chairmanship followed a formal handover ceremony which was held on Wednesday, July 29, at Haiti’s mission in Geneva.
The CARICOM Group in Geneva consists of the ambassadors and heads of mission of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomatic missions accredited in Geneva.
The membership of the group feature Caribbean nations including the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago. The missions are accredited to the United Nations and other international organisations which are based in Geneva, including the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The CARICOM Group functions in line with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which calls on CARICOM member states to coordinate their foreign policies. The authorities have confirmed that in accordance with this mandate the Geneva-based missions meet regularly.
The officials take the regular opportunity to review and align their positions on issues before the many UN agencies and international organisations that make up International Geneva.
Under the CARICOM Group’s rotating annual chairmanship, Haiti concluded its tenure this week. The OECS and Dominica has taken over leadership for the coming year.
The Permanent Delegation of the OECS in Geneva is headed by Ambassador Colin Murdoch, while the mission of the Commonwealth of Dominica is led by Chargé d’Affaires Kamila Bell.
During the handover ceremony, Bell spoke to the assembled ambassadors and officers. She acknowledged the complex international environment the Group will navigate over the next year.
“Our group faces a challenging year ahead because of the volatility in international relations and the many changes taking place,” she said, “but we will work assiduously with our colleagues to secure and promote the interests of the small states of the Caribbean region.”
Ambassador Colin Murdoch also addressed the group and talked about the importance of effective coordination and collective leadership in advancing the region’s priorities.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
