The next OECS Monetary Council meeting will be held in Barbuda, marking a significant event for the sister island, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced.

Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda, as the current chair of the Monetary Council, will host the high-level financial meeting in July 2025, with Barbuda as the chosen venue.

_”The next Monetary Council meeting… will be held in Barbuda,”_ Browne stated.

The Monetary Council, which oversees the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), is the highest decision-making body for monetary policy within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). It is comprised of finance ministers and prime ministers from OECS member states, who discuss regional economic strategies, financial stability, and fiscal policies.

A Milestone for Barbuda

Hosting the Monetary Council meeting in Barbuda underscores the government’s commitment to Barbuda’s development and its integration into the national and regional financial landscape.

Browne also hinted that other major meetings, including potential CARICOM gatherings, could take place on the island in the future.

_”And if you look sharp, I’m not saying this definitively, but I’m giving consideration that when we host our next CARICOM meeting, it may also be in Barbuda,”_ he added.

The decision to hold the OECS Monetary Council meeting in Barbuda aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance the island’s infrastructure, increase economic opportunities, and promote its role in regional affairs.

With finance ministers and key officials from across the Eastern Caribbean expected to attend, the meeting will bring a spotlight to Barbuda’s economic potential while strengthening its ties within the OECS financial system.