On 8 August 2025 and on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, H.E. Minister Sean Sobers M.P.,  Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that created the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM), bringing the total number of OCM members to: 20 countries from the Wider Caribbean, plus 9 Intergovernmental Organizations (IGO’s) with an oceans-related mandate. 

Through its participation in the OCM, Trinidad and Tobago will be able to better advance the sustainable development of its blue economy in several ways -  including through the joint tracking with other countries of of ocean sustainability goals and through the joint development of a new regional OceanStrategic Action Program (SAP), by enabling enhanced ocean data management and sharing, and by promoting cross-regional and inter-sectoral alignment of institutional and policy frameworks, among others. 

About the Wider Caribbean OCM 

The Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) is a groundbreaking regional governance platform that provides a permanent, inclusive structure for aligning action, sharing knowledge, and optimizing the use of limited resources by enhancing coordination and collaboration across the Wider Caribbean region. 

The OCM brings together countries, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and regional stakeholders to address shared marine opportunities and challenges, shifting the focus from problem-focused approaches to proactive, solution-oriented collaboration in areas such as sustainable fisheries, pollution control, biodiversity conservationand climate-resilient blue economies. 

Read the news article on the OCM Trinidad and Tobago signature here. 

For more information on the Ocean Coordination Mechanism, visit the overview OCM page at https://www.procaribeplus.org/pages/ocm-overview

Confused about the differences between the (permanent) Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) and the (time-bound) PROCARIBE+ Project? We're happy to explain:  click on this link to see our infographic.