BUSINESS OF THE Ocean Coordination Mechanism - MEETINGS, EVENTS, KEY DOCUMENTS

The Steering Group (SG) of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) is composed by representatives of the States and Territories that have signed the OCM MoU (hyperlink to the table that shows current status of signatures - in a new window).

At its First Regular Meeting (SGM1.2, 6 August 2025), the OCM SG adopted the “Steering Group Rules of Procedure” (RoP) document (v1.5), noting that the SG RoP may be revised or further complemented if a request for such is supported by a simple majority of the membership.

The RoP document can be accessed here.

• The Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of the OCM Steering Group is currently exercised by respectively Grenada and Panama.
• Through Decision oSGM1.D8.1, the SG calls for all SG Members to submit their OCM SG Focal Point(s)/Representative(s) nominations to the Secretariat (info@procaribeplus.org) and to help the Secretariat in keeping this information up-to-date.
• The list of nominations currently registered with the Secretariat can be accessed here.
• The online OCM SG Decision Tracker can be accessed here.
• An overview of the representation roles exercised by the SG and EG Chair and the Secretariat can be accessed here.

Text last updated: 5 November 2025.

The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) successfully convened its Steering Group Meeting 1.2 (SGM1.2) virtually on August 6, 2025. The meeting aimed to advance the strategic direction of the OCM by addressing pending matters from SGM1 and considering new business relevant to its mandate, objectives, and functions. A total of 53 participants attended, representing 17 Steering Group Member States and Territories*, 6 Observer States and Territories, and 7 Executive Group Intergovernmental Organization Members.

During the meeting, the Steering Group approved significant outcomes that will strengthen the OCM’s governance and operational capacity. These include: (a) the adoption of the OCM Steering Group Rules of Procedure, (b) a formal mandate to establish OCM Working Groups, and (c) the adoption of the SGM1 Decisions & Recommendations, providing clear strategic guidance to advance thefor the OCM work. Additional discussions focused on enhancing OCM branding and visibility, opportunities for regional coordination on key issues such as sargassum, and engagement with ongoing international initiatives.

• SGM1.2 Meeting Agenda
• SGM1.2 Annotated Agenda
• SGM1.2 Meeting Decisions and Recommendations
• SGM1.2 List of Participants
• Adopted OCM Steering Group Rules of Procedure

*Following the explicit request of the USA participant, it is to be noted that their participation was in a listening-only capacity.

The inaugural Meeting of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism Steering Group was convened by the OECS Commission and celebrated in Grenada on 13 and 14 May. The primary objective of this meeting was to launch and operationalize the OCM, and to conduct a collective discussion leading to the provision of a general direction to further the OCM mandate.

The event brought together a total of 55 participants representing respectively 17 and 7 OCM Steering Group Member and Observer States and Territories and 8 and 1 Member and Observer Executive Group Intergovernmental Organizations.  Key appointments made during the meeting include Grenada as Steering Group Chair, Panama as Vice Chair, and PROCARIBE+ PCMU as the formal secretariat of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism.

Additional outcomes include the provisional adoption of OCM SG rules of procedure, the adoption of the (preliminary) Steering Group Rules of Procedure and the adoption of the (preliminary) 2025-2028 Work Programme. Due to time constraints a number of matters on the agenda could not be addressed. For this reason the SG will convene virtually on the 6th of August to address the most urgent pending matters from SGM1.

• SGM1 Meeting Agenda and Materials
• SGM1 Annotated Agenda
• Subset of SGM1 proposed Decisions and Recommendations, adopted by the SG in Grenada
• SGM1 List of Participants
• Meeting photos

Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

You can also find the opening remarks from the Director of the OCM Secretariat and PROCARIBE+ Coordinator, Patrick Debels here.

The Executive Group (EG) of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) comprises representatives of the Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) that have signed the OCM MoU.
At its First Regular Meeting (EGM1, 24 February 2025), the OCM EG adopted the “Executive Group Procedural Guidance” (PG) document (v1.0), noting that the EG PG may be revised or further complemented if a simple majority of the membership supports such a request.
 

The Procedural Guidance document can be accessed here.

The First Meeting of the Executive Group of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM EGM1) was held virtually on February 24, 2025, convened by the OECS Commission. The meeting aimed to establish OCM Executive Group governance arrangements, facilitate strategic and tactical decision-making for the OCM's way forward (including support from the UNDP/GEF/UNOPS PROCARIBE+ Project), and develop recommendations for the OCM Steering Group's first meeting.

• EGM1 Meeting Agenda and Materials
• EGM1 List of participants
• EGM1 Meeting Decisions and Recommendations 

The Joint Workshop was organized by the OCM Secretariat. The objectives of the OCM Working Groups Workshop included: 

• Provide preliminary inputs for the development of draft roadmaps for the implementation of key activities and outputs under the OCM Work Programme 2025–2028.
• Exchanging preliminary ideas and approaches to support the implementation of the OCM Functions and Work Programme.
• Agreeing on the use of virtual collaboration platform.
• Defining engagement strategies with the OCM Steering Group, Executive Group, and external partners.
• Discussing key principles for the Working Groups’ Terms of Reference (ToRs).

OCM Working Groups Workshop Documents:

• Concept Note
• Agenda Joint WG Workshop & WGs PPT Presentations
• List of participants
• Draft Report

On September 11, the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) successfully launched its Working Groups with a welcome and introductory teleconference. The overarching objective of kick-starting the implementation of the OCM Work Programme was accomplished, with participants prepared for a swift initiation of OCM Working Group activities and urgent doubts clarified.

A total of 21 participants attended the meeting, representing the 4 OCM working groups: (1) Marine Data & Information (MDI), (2) State of the Marine Environment & associated socio-Economics (SOMEE), (3) Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and (4) Gender and Youth.

During the teleconference, all participating members gained insights into the mandate, structure, and Work Programme of the OCM, and acquired an understanding of the current status of OCM operationalization and the vital role of the OCM Working Groups. 

• Presentation: Launch of the Working Groups of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)

OCM Working Group members can access the online monday.com collaborative workspaces of the WGs using the following links:

MDI WG Activities- Monday Board

SOMEE WG Activities- Monday Board

SAP WG Activities- Monday Board

Gender WG Activities- Monday Board

• OCM MoU
• ICM formal termination requests
• OCM MoU Signatures (overview)
• OCM MoU Signatures (details)

The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) celebrated its global launch at UNOC3, on June 9th, 2025, at a side event hosted by the government of Grenada, during the event United In Action: Actioning Blue 30x30 Vision and Launching the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism. 

The event celebrated early signatories of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) and welcomed the United Mexican States as the 19th signatory of the OCM. 

This is an opportunity to continue strengthening efforts to contribute to the well-being of marine capital in the wider Caribbean region.

Read the full article and take a look at the photo carrousel following this link

Seated, L- R: Mexico’s Undersecretary of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration Dr. Marina Robles Garcia; UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva; Dominican Republic’s Vice Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Hon. Jose Ramon Reyes; Antigua & Barbuda’s Deputy Parks Commissioner and Climate Ambassador Ruleta Camacho-Thomas; Belize’s Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation Hon. Minister Abner Andre Perez; British Virgin Islands’ Vice Premier Hon. Julian Fraser RA; Grenada’s Special Envoy and Ambassador for Climate H.E. Safiya Sawney; Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to the United Nations Office at Geneva H.E. Colin Murdoch; Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF)’s Chief Executive Officer Karen McDonald Gayle. Standing, L-R: CBF Technical Officer Fabian Kyne, Director of the OCM Secretariat and PROCARIBE+ Coordinator Patrick Debels, OCM Secretariat Deputy Director and PROCARIBE+ Senior Project Officer Alexander Girvan."

The First Regional Partnership Forum “Our Sea - Our Source - Our Future. The Wider Caribbean (and beyond): United in Action” is taking place at a critical juncture for ocean governance and sustainable development in the Wider Caribbean. The commencement of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) in December 2024 marked a milestone in the region’s collective efforts to strengthen cooperation for healthy, resilient marine and coastal ecosystems and sustainable blue economies. 

Read the full article and take a look at the photo carrousel following this link