Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has called for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to regional security, saying Caribbean nations must work together to confront emerging threats that extend far beyond traditional policing.
Speaking at the Antilles Regional Security Conference in Martinique, Skerrit said modern security challenges include climate resilience, cybersecurity, food and energy security, and maritime protection. According to an OECS Commission press release, the conference was held alongside the 19th Antilles-Guyane Regional Cooperation Conference (CCRAG) from July 1-3 at the Université des Antilles in Martinique.
“Security today must be viewed differently. It extends well beyond policing and defense. It includes protecting our maritime borders, strengthening cybersecurity, securing energy and food systems, and building resilience to natural disasters. These issues are felt collectively, and our response must be fully integrated. We cannot speak about security in isolation. For countries like ours, security is inseparable from climate resilience and economic stability,” Skerrit told delegates.
The OECS Commission said the conference, hosted by the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM), brought together political leaders, regional organisations and security officials to strengthen cooperation between the French Caribbean territories and their Caribbean neighbours. The event was held under the stewardship of His Excellency Arnaud Mentré, France’s Ambassador-at-Large for Regional Cooperation in the Atlantic Region. The OECS Commission was represented by General Counsel Dwight Lay and Cooperation Officer Mendy Kilo.
In his opening address, Martinique President Serge Letchimy described regional integration as critical to the territory’s economic development. He called for renewed negotiations with France and the European Union under the EU-ACP framework to give Martinique a stronger voice in trade discussions between the Caribbean and the European Union, highlighting the territory’s unique status as both a European Union region and a recent member of CARICOM.
On July 1, Martinique also signed an agreement with the French State to begin discussions on expanding the territory’s local legislative powers. The move is intended to increase autonomous decision-making while maintaining Martinique’s place within the French Republic.
President Letchimy said closer regional collaboration is becoming increasingly necessary.
“We have no choice but to seek different supply chain pathways; we have no choice but to work with all the Caribbean countries in research and development, innovation and biodiversity”.
President Louis Mussington of the Collectivité of Saint Martin also advocated for governance arrangements that better reflect local realities while remaining within the European Union framework.
“It is time to go beyond paradoxes. It is time to modernize our working methods, for [the] convergence of our interests in the region supported by the reinforcement of our capacity of action.”
Referring to Saint Martin’s accession to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in 2025, Mussington said regional cooperation has never been more important.
“Regional Caribbean cooperation never made as much sense as of now, given the rise of the economic insecurity sentiment in this global context. We need to be creative to imagine a multisectoral cooperation which takes into account our status.”
As per the release, the conference also explored opportunities to strengthen the Caribbean’s creative economy. Saint Martin presented its proposal for a Caribbean Audiovisual and Cinema Network through the OECS, an initiative first announced at the 49th OECS Commissioners Meeting in April 2026 and later submitted to the OECS Authority in June.
The OECS Commission also shared findings from the 2025 OECS Creative Sector Survey during a series of workshops. The research will help shape the OECS Orange Economy Strategy, aimed at promoting greater regional collaboration in production, co-production, financing, skills development and distribution within the creative industries.
Patrick Sellin, representing the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, said regional integration requires sustained commitment and practical cooperation.
“Experience teaches us that regional integration cannot be decreed. It is built with consistency, confidence, and method. It relies on an affirmed political will, solid institutions, and projects useful to our populations.”
The security conference brought together Caribbean and Latin American partners to coordinate efforts against drug trafficking and organised crime. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Overseas France Naïma Moutchou, and Minister Delegate to the French Minister of the Interior Jean-Didier Berger were among the officials in attendance.
French authorities announced plans to strengthen anti-drug trafficking operations across their overseas territories and deepen cooperation with neighbouring countries. Officials also disclosed that of the 81 tonnes of drugs seized nationally by France in 2025, 42 tonnes were intercepted in the Caribbean region.
The release said the conference concluded with delegates establishing working groups on joint investigations, judicial cooperation and intelligence sharing before adopting the “Martinique Declaration” on July 3, a regional call for stronger action against criminal activity.
Representatives from French national and overseas authorities, Caribbean governments, police, military and judicial agencies, the Regional Security System (RSS), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also participated in the meeting, according to the OECS Commission press release.
