Premier Andrew Fahie pledged to support Gaston Browne, the incoming chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Authority, during the body’s 67th meeting Monday in Antigua and Barbuda.

The session, which also included the fourth sitting of the OECS Assembly, focused on the official handover of the chairmanship from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Mr. Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

“The strength of the Caribbean region is through unity,” Mr. Fahie said during the meeting. “The journey in this oneness of purpose has been strengthened where both government and opposition parliamentarians from across the region were in attendance.”

Mr. Fahie also moved the motion to have the outgoing speaker of the OECS Assembly, Vincentian attorney René Baptiste, serve for a second time as the body’s chair, according to Government Information Services.

In a statement at the sub regional meeting, Mr. Fahie also highlighted the impact of the potential loss of correspondent banking relations on the VI’s economy. Additionally, he updated the leaders on the territory’s recovery efforts, thanking the OECS member states for their aid pledges in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

The VI delegation also included Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley; Opposition Leader Marlon Penn; and Premier’s Office representative Najan Christopher.

The OECS Assembly includes five representatives from the parliament of each full member state and three from the legislature of each associate member state. The VI is an associate member.

These representatives must include the head of government and the opposition leader.

Members serve for two years from the date on which they were elected or until the next general election for the legislature which they represent. The Assembly has the power to review legislation passed by the Authority and regulations made by the Council of Ministers.