ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) were scheduled to start their meeting here in Antigua and Barbuda yesterday, for the first assembly of the regional sub-grouping in four years.

However, only seven state delegations from the nine-member organisation were expected to attend, as, according to the Permanent Secretary in Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Colin Murdoch, Dominica and Martinique indicated that they would be absent.

Prime Minister of St Kitts Nevis Dr Timothy Harris, who is also the chairman of the OECS, was expected to take the chair, while the regional assembly was expected to elect Rene Baptiste of St Vincent and the Grenadines as speaker. Gail Christian of Antigua and Barbuda was expected to take on the role of deputy speaker.

The member states are expected to adopt the Hansard reports of the last assembly, while Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of St Lucia would table a motion on climate change.

Today, following this session of the OECS Assembly, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank will host its Monetary Council meeting for ministers of finance .

The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.