Organization of Eastern Caribbean States

                                  Regional Partnership Framework

                                           Chair Summary*

                                            May 19, 2022


Executive Directors expressed support for the Regional Partnership Framework (RPF) for the
OECS countries for the period FY22-FY25.

Recognizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector in the OECS countries,
Directors welcomed the ongoing and the planned program engagement that would focus on
increasing resilience to climate change and other shocks, improving human capital, and creating
an environment that would bring more and better jobs. They inquired about the WBG’s support to
promote economic diversification in the region and encouraged the WBG to redouble its efforts to
enhance private capital mobilization and identify private sector-led solutions to promote
innovations and jobs and lay the groundwork for green and resilient post-pandemic recovery and
reconstruction, encouraging the use of the IDA Private Sector Window.

Directors stressed the importance of operationalizing the Green, Resilient and Inclusive
Development (GRID) agenda in the implementation of the RPF and called for stronger links
between agriculture, nutrition, and health with a focus on addressing Gender-Based Violence
(GBV) issues. They encouraged management to strengthen its regional approach and exercise
selectivity and focus on increasing absorption capacity during the RPF implementation period in
order to increase the development impact of WBG interventions in the Eastern Caribbean in line
with IEG’s recommendations. They also encouraged greater efforts to support OECS countries in
the implementation of fiscal management reforms to promote fiscal and debt sustainability. The
importance of addressing data gaps and harnessing digitalization for sustainable development was
also noted.

Directors called for closer collaboration between the Bank, IFC, and MIGA, and encouraged
enhanced efforts to build the capacity of public institutions to utilize WBG assistance and
implement the needed reforms efficiently and effectively. They asked the WBG to explore options
to replicate a regional approach to other regions. They also called for enhanced coordination with
the other development partners, particularly in the climate and energy sectors.




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*This Summary is not an approved record.