Press Releases
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs SHIMADA’s attendance at the East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources (September 3 to 5, 2026)
September 6, 2026
From September 3 to 5, Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Grenada to attend the East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources, and held talks with dignitaries of the Grenadian government.
1. The East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources
- On September 3 and 4, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA attended the East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources (participating countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Suriname). At the outset of the meeting, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA delivered a speech with the following key points:
- It is an honor to attend as representative of Japan the East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources which is held for the first time in two years. I hope that through exchanges like my attendance of this time, the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and the Caribbean region will further develop.
- Japan and the Caribbean countries are both deeply tied to the ocean and utilize aquatic living resources in a sustainable manner.Japan will contribute to the realization of a sustainable ocean through initiatives rooted in scientific knowledge and international cooperation.
- Japan has steadily deepened cooperation to support disaster reduction efforts, improvement of fishery infrastructures, and tackling Sargassum problems and other areas in line with Japan’s three-pillar policy toward CARICOM. Japan will continue to contribute to advancing the social and economic development and blue economy across the Caribbean countries.
- Japan and the Caribebean countries have been valuing and carefully using a wide range of fishery resources. We would like to closely cooperate with the Caribbean countries as nations that share the commitment of science-based, sustainable use of living marine resources.
- Furthermore, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA held bilateral meetings with Ministers for fisheries and other officials from participating countries. They agreed to cooperate in further promoting the sustainable use of marine living resources based on scientific knowledge and exchanged views on cooperation aimed at the development of livelihoods and industries in the Eastern Caribbean nations, including the fisheries sector.
2. Meeting with Ministers of Grenada
- (1) On September 4, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Dicon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA expressed gratitude to Grenada for hosting the East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting. Both sides, as maritime nations that marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025, agreed on continuing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields—including fisheries—as well as cooperation in international forums.
- (2) Additionally, on September 5, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA held discussions with The Honourable Joseph Andall, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development of Grenada, and the Honourable Lennox Andrews, Minister for Economic Development, Planning, and Cooperatives; Agriculture & Lands, Forestry and Marine Resources of Grenada.
Both sides welcomed the deepening of high-level exchanges between Japan and Grenada and agreed that the two countries, which share a view to promoting the sustainable use of aquatic living resources, will continue to cooperate closely both bilaterally and in international forums.
- (3) In addition, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA visited the Grand Etang Road,Gouyave Fisheries Center and equipment to remove sargassumwhich were improved and donated respectively through Japan’s ODA projects.
(Reference) The East Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources
Ministers for fisheries and other officials from the six member states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)— Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia —as well as Suriname participated in the meeting to discuss fisheries issues within the Eastern Caribbean region and cooperation in international forums. This year marks the 24th such meeting. Japan participated as an external dialogue partner.