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The Collectivity of Saint Barthélemy has an important meeting this weekend in Aruba. Indeed, during the 21st forum between the European Union and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), which begins this Thursday, April 9, and ends on the 14th, the presidency of the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTA) will be entrusted to it. “This is not merely symbolic, as there is significant work involved within the association,” explains Xavier Lédée, president of the Collectivité, who will travel to Aruba this Friday, April 10. He will be accompanied by Pascal Peuchot, head of the Department of Territorial Innovation, Digital and Energy Transition, who arrives in Aruba this Thursday.
As it does every year, the forum organized by the European Union will bring together the thirteen overseas countries and territories that are members of the OCTA (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, French Polynesia, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF), Greenland, New Caledonia, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Eustatius, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sint Maarten, and Wallis and Futuna).
A Focus on Sargassum
The forum will open with technical meetings focusing on cooperation priorities and ongoing programs. The OCTA conference will take place on Saturday. “It’s a progress review held at more or less regular intervals,” notes Xavier Lédée. “There is a real diversity of situations—and therefore of topics—among the different territories. It’s also a progress review with the European Union, particularly regarding the funding that’s being put in place.” For example, the three-million-euro budget that Saint Barthélemy received as part of a “resilience” program is coming to an end. It notably helped fund the purchase of the new STIS truck and the deployment of warning sirens. “The EU has reorganized its operations in the region,” notes the president of the Collectivity. “With a broader vision and greater authority. We are working on the deployment of a digital cable. Everything digital in Saint Barth goes through the United States. The idea is to land this cable in the Southern Islands and interconnect all the OCTs.”
Time will also be devoted to managing Sargassum seaweed strandings. “Even though we see that many meetings are being held without any solutions being found,” notes Xavier Lédée. “The legal status of the washed-up Sargassum has still not been determined. This is a stumbling block when it comes to insurance and management issues. If it is classified as waste, the treatment and consequences are not the same.”
On Sunday, April 12, participants will visit Arikok Park, San Nicolas, and the University of Aruba, before attending a luncheon at the Office of EU-Kingdom of Aruba Relations. In the afternoon, further meetings will focus on “regional priorities and strategic issues.”
Finally, on Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14, representatives from the EU and member countries will participate in an investment conference, as well as meetings on private sector commitments and flagship regional initiatives.
For the record, until 2020, 22 of the 25 OCTs were members of the OCTA, comprising all inhabited territories (21) as well as the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). Due to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, as of February 1, 2020, the 12 British Overseas Territories are no longer Overseas Countries and Territories associated with the European Union. This brings the number of OCTA members down to 13.
