The 8th OECS Council of Ministers for Human and Social Development meeting commenced Tuesday in Antigua and Barbuda.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment, Senator Samantha Marshall, declared the meeting open.

“Our youth involvement and meaningful participation are critical at this juncture since our aim is to make a change now for the future. And whom better to have a voice now to determine their future outcomes, but our youth themselves,” Marshall said.

She said as a result, the intervention led by the Youth ambassadors, is the most timely and relevant to the overall purpose of social protection, gender equity, diversity, equal access, and opportunities, security participation, and empowerment for all.

“As the Council of Ministers of Social Development, we are anticipating the final endorsement of the Social Inclusion and Social Protection Action Plan for 2023 2030, which will not only serve as a guiding document at the national and regional levels but will be a key impetus for future council meetings” she added

She said it will also serve as an aide memoir for ministers to advocate for increased technical and financial resources, strengthen human resource capacity and improve national and regional data management for better delivery of social protection services.

“The ultimate aim for ministers of social development is to improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable populations while addressing issues of social protection, equal access to quality social services, and empowerment across the life cycle for the region,” she added.

This project is being implemented in six OECS independent Member States of Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.