DataSheet_1_Transboundary maritime cooperation: the case of the Eastern Caribbean Region.pdf

Transboundary cooperation is a priority for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). For over thirty years since its formation, it has pursued policies of integration and cooperation among its members with the aim of promoting development and reducing social and economic inequalities across the region. Within the last decade, the islands have embarked on ambitious plans for a sustainable Blue Economy, centred on developing the potential of their vast maritime zones. Achieving this requires cooperation across maritime borders for the management of shared natural resources and transnational human activities, as well as for addressing transboundary challenges facing the region such as climate change, marine pollution and Sargassum influxes. Through a literature review and documentary analysis this article provides a first stocktaking of transboundary maritime cooperation in the region through a mapping of regional level policy promoting cooperation and projects among OECS members over the last decade. The analysis reveals great diversity among participating countries, thematic priorities and actors operating across multiple governance levels. The article concludes with a discussion on the drivers for cooperation among OECS members, highlighting transboundary maritime cooperation as a natural and logical approach for capitalising on opportunities and addressing challenges in a capacity constrained region.

跨边界合作对于东加勒比海国家组织（OECS）而言乃是一项优先任务。自其成立以来，已逾三十年，该组织始终致力于推动成员国之间的整合与合作，旨在促进区域发展并减少社会与经济不平等。在过去十年间，各岛屿国家着手实施雄心勃勃的可持续蓝色经济发展计划，该计划以开发其广阔海洋区域潜力为核心。实现此目标需跨越海事边界进行合作，以管理共享自然资源及跨国人类活动，同时应对区域所面临的跨境挑战，如气候变化、海洋污染及海藻涌入。通过文献综述与文献分析，本文首次对该区域跨境海事合作进行了梳理，通过绘制过去十年OECS成员国间的区域政策促进合作及项目图谱。分析揭示了参与国家、主题优先级及在不同治理层面运作的参与者之间存在的巨大多样性。文章以对OECS成员国合作动力的讨论作为结尾，强调跨境海事合作作为在能力受限区域中把握机遇和应对挑战的一种自然而合理的途径。