OEA - CP - Resolución CP CSH 2392

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OEA/Ser.G

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES CP/CSH-2392/25 8 April 2026

COMMITTEE ON HEMISPHERIC SECURITY Original: English

MEETING TO DISCUSS THE SPECIAL SECURITY CONCERNS

OF THE SMALL ISLAND AND LOW-LYING COASTAL

DEVELOPING STATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

OAS Headquarters, Washington, D.C. “Addressing the Challenges of Transnational Organized Crime through Integrated Border, Maritime, and Digital Security Architectures in Small-Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States of the Caribbean: Strengthening Institutional Resilience for the Future”

CONCEPT NOTE

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Place: Simon Bolívar Room

I. INTRODUCTION The Committee on Hemispheric Security (CHS) serves as the principal forum within the Organization of American States (OAS) for advancing cooperation on multidimensional security challenges affecting Member States, including the vulnerabilities of the Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States of the Caribbean.

Recent analysis by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)1 / , highlight that transnational organized crime has evolved into one of the most complex, adaptive and urgent global threats. Criminal networks increasingly operate across legal and illegal environments, exploiting governance gaps, leveraging digital transformation, and converging with corruption, armed actors, and cyber-enabled criminality. From 2000 to 2023, organized criminal groups were responsible for approximately 95,000 homicides worldwidea figure comparable to the number of people killed by armed conflicts. Also, the Americas accounted for nearly half of organized crime–related homicides for that same period. 2 / Beyond its human toll, organized crime distorts markets, undermines public institutions, fuels illicit financial flows, and weakens the rule of law. Addressing these challenges requires strengthened international cooperation and effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

for that same period. 2 / Beyond its human toll, organized crime distorts markets, undermines public institutions, fuels illicit financial flows, and weakens the rule of law. Addressing these challenges requires strengthened international cooperation and effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

1 . UNODC. (2025, November). Research Brief on Transnational Organized Crime: Special Points of Interest. Retrieved from UNODC: chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-andanalysis/tocta/Brief_2025/SPOI_Organized_Crime_2025.pdf 2 . (UNODC, 2025, p.13)2 These global findings align with OAS mandates, including AG/RES. 29073 / which empowered the Department against Transnational Organized Crime (DTOC) to advance UNTOC implementation; AG/RES. 2979 4 / on multidimensional resilience; and CP/RES. 1241 (2476/23) 5 / addressing guns, gangs, and violence. Together, these instruments affirm that security, governance, and resilience are mutually reinforcing. For Caribbean Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States, the convergence of maritime trafficking, firearms proliferation, financial vulnerabilities, and cyber threats underscores that resilience cannot be compartmentalised. In recognition of this reality, in 2023 Caribbean Heads of Government declared crime and violence to be public health issues 6 / , advancing a prevention-based paradigm that complements enforcement through data-driven, multi-sectoral, and community-based approaches. The Public Health approach recognizes that prevention and social interventions are an investment that saves countries money and lives in the future. Convened in collaboration with the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors to the OAS and informed by the CARICOM Council of Ministers Responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), this Special Meeting advances an integrated border, maritime, and digital security architecture within a unified resilience framework that bridges enforcement-focused responses with prevention strategies.

II. BACKGROUND

informed by the CARICOM Council of Ministers Responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), this Special Meeting advances an integrated border, maritime, and digital security architecture within a unified resilience framework that bridges enforcement-focused responses with prevention strategies.

II. BACKGROUND Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States of the Caribbean face evolving and increasingly complex security pressures arising from transnational organised crime (TOC), maritime trafficking in narcotics and illegal firearms, corruption, cyber-enabled criminal activity, financialsystem vulnerabilities, threats to critical infrastructure, as well as a growing array of emerging threats — including environmental crimes such as illegal fishing, wildlife trafficking, and the illicit exploitation of natural resources. Climate-driven vulnerabilities further compound these challenges, as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity create conditions that criminal networks and non-state actors can exploit. These deeply interconnected dynamics erode institutional capacity, strain governance frameworks, and threaten the long-term resilience and sustainable development of the region.

The CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy (CCSS) 7 / established the foundational regional framework for coordinated and intelligence-driven responses to trafficking and organized crime. At the hemispheric level, AG/RES. 2907 8 / strengthened the Inter-American system’s role in advancing UNTOC implementation through DTOC, reinforcing legal cooperation and institutional alignment in combating organized crime.

3 . (OAS, 2017, p. 73) 4 . OAS. (2021, November 12). AG/RES 2979 (LI-O/21) Strengthening The Role of the Organization of American States in Advancing Disaster Resilience in the Hemisphere. Retrieved from OAS: https://documentsearch.oas.org/legacydocument/en/AG08489E09.docx 5 . OAS (2023) 6 . Port of Spain (2023) 7 . (CARICOM IMPACS, 2013) 8 . (OAS, 2017,p. 73)3

The CARICOM Framework Strategy: From Vulnerability to Resilience 9 / called for strengthened maritime and airspace security capabilities and institutional capacity-building. OAS

7 . (CARICOM IMPACS, 2013) 8 . (OAS, 2017,p. 73)3

The CARICOM Framework Strategy: From Vulnerability to Resilience 9 / called for strengthened maritime and airspace security capabilities and institutional capacity-building. OAS instruments such as AG/RES. 2979 10/ further affirmed the importance of coordinated resilience strategies, while CP/RES. 1241 (2476/23) 11/ committed Member States to structured action against guns, gangs, and escalating violence.

In parallel, the 2023 CARICOM Declaration on the War on Guns, recognizing crime and violence as public health issues, reinforced by the George-Bridge Declaration 12/ , advanced a prevention-oriented paradigm grounded in data systems, risk analysis, and multi-sectoral coordination. Moreover, in 2024, the Caribbean Maritime Security Strategy and Implementation Plan shaped a more integrated regional security architecture by prioritizing maritime domain awareness, coordinated interdiction operations, and information-sharing mechanisms to counter transnational organized crime across the Caribbean’s maritime space. The CARICOM Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Action Plan13/ strengthened regional capacity to address digital threats, recognizing that cyber resilience is integral to border governance, maritime security, and financial integrity. Also in 2025 CARICOM Declaration of Montego Bay on Transnational Organised Crime and Gangs, further anchors the Caribbean regional commitments within the broader framework of the UN and other regional and international institutions. Collectively, these hemispheric and regional instruments establish a coherent resilience framework. As criminal networks increasingly operate across maritime, financial, firearms, and cyber domains, enhanced coordination across thematic and institutional pillars becomes increasingly valuable. In the OAS, the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS) in complementarity with the Secretariat for Legal Affairs (SLA) presently address essential components of this landscape.

Continued alignment among these entities can further strengthen the collective impact of hemispheric and regional initiatives. Additionally, the alignment of OAS Departments with Sub-Regional Agencies such as CARICOM IMPACS and the Regional Security System (RSS) are critical to ensuring maximum use of already scarce resources. This Special Meeting builds upon these mandates by advancing dialogue on how integrated border, maritime, and digital security architectures can reinforce institutional resilience in the Caribbean Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States.

9 . CARICOM. (2020, July 1). Framework Strategy Document: “From Vulnerability to Resilience. Retrieved from Caribbean News Global: https://www.caribbeannewsglobal.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/08/Reviewed-7Framework-Strategy-Document.pdf

10. OAS. (2021, November 12). AG/RES 2979 (LI-O/21) Strengthening The Role of the Organization of American States in Advancing Disaster Resilience in the Hemisphere. Retrieved from OAS:

https://documentsearch.oas.org/legacydocument/en/AG08489E09.docx

11. OAS (2023)

12. George-Bridge Declaration (2024)

13. CARICOM IMPACS. (2025, November 1). Updated CARICOM Cyber Security and Cybercrime Action Plan (CCSCAP) launched. Retrieved from CARICOM IMPACS:

https://www.caricomimpacs.org/articles/updated-caricom-cyber-security-and-cybercrime-action-planccscap-launched4

III. PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING The Special Meeting will provide a platform for OAS Member States, regional organizations, and international partners to examine strategies to strengthen institutional resilience in Caribbean Small-Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States through integrated security approaches.

Under the theme, “Addressing the Challenges of Transnational Organized Crime through Integrated Border, Maritime and Digital Security Architecture in Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States of the Caribbean: Strengthening Institutional Resilience for the Future,” the meeting seeks to advance a comprehensive framework that integrates border management, maritime domain

Under the theme, “Addressing the Challenges of Transnational Organized Crime through Integrated Border, Maritime and Digital Security Architecture in Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States of the Caribbean: Strengthening Institutional Resilience for the Future,” the meeting seeks to advance a comprehensive framework that integrates border management, maritime domain awareness, and digital security capabilities. The aim is to strengthen inter-agency coordination, enhance information-sharing mechanisms, and leverage modern technologies to improve the capacity of national institutions to detect, deter, and respond to illicit trafficking, cyber-enabled crime, and other transnational threats. Additionally, it prioritises institutional resilience through targeted training, policy development, and regional and international cooperation, ensuring that vulnerable Caribbean Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States are better equipped to safeguard their borders, protect maritime resources, and maintain long-term security and stability in an increasingly interconnected threat environment.

The meeting will:  Examine evolving transnational organised crime dynamics affecting Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States with an increasingly interconnected threat environment.  Advance dialogue on integrated border, maritime and digital security architectures to strengthen institutional resilience.  Encourage greater intelligence sharing to enhance threat assessment and inform counterstrategies/measures.  Strengthen alignment between legal cooperation frameworks under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and operational responses to transnational organized crime across border, maritime, and digital domains, including through the coordinating role of the Department against Transnational Organized Crime

(DTOC) in facilitating state to state cooperation and capacity-building.  Enhance operational coherence and coordinated programming among relevant entities within the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS) in complementarity with the Secretariat for Legal Affairs (SLA).  Strengthen strategic alignment between OAS multidimensional security initiatives and

CARICOM regional security frameworks, including the CCSS, the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Action Plan, and policy direction from CONSLE.  Build upon the outcomes of the 2022 CHS Special Meeting “Countering the challenges of Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime and Improving Cybersecurity to advance the Resilience of Small-Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States of the Caribbean” held on 23 May 2022.5

IV .MEETING DESCRIPTION Format: In-person The meeting will be organized around three interconnected thematic sessions aligned with the integrated security architecture approach.

1. Opening Session (25 mins): 1.1 Welcome Remarks by Second Vice Chair of the Committee on Hemispheric Security

(CHS), Alternate Representative of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the OAS, Commander Kele-Ann Bourne Jessen (5 mins) 1.2 Remarks by Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador Laura Gil (5 mins) 1.3 Keynote Address by The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Chair of the CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) (15 mins)

2. Presentations and Panel Discussion (140 mins): 2.1 Securing the Gateways: Border Governance, Trafficking Networks, and Institutional Resilience in Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States (45 mins) .

Moderated by the Regional Security System (RSS), Speaker TBC  Presentation by CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentation by Executive Secretariat of CICAD, Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentations by OAS Department against Transnational Organized Crime (DTOC), Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Discussion with Member States and Permanent Observers. Delegations are invited to use the following guiding questions to focus their interventions on practical measures, institutional strengthening, and forward-looking solutions (1.5 mins). (i) What measures have Member States implemented, or are considering, to strengthen border governance systems, including interagency

invited to use the following guiding questions to focus their interventions on practical measures, institutional strengthening, and forward-looking solutions (1.5 mins). (i) What measures have Member States implemented, or are considering, to strengthen border governance systems, including interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and detection capabilities, to address trafficking in drugs, firearms, and persons? (ii)In what ways can institutional resilience in border security be further strengthened to better anticipate and address vulnerabilities exploited by transnational organised crime, including through coordination, data utilization, and prevention-oriented approaches? 2.2 Securing the Maritime Lifeline: Maritime Domain Awareness and Cooperation against Transnational Organized Crime (45 mins) . Moderated by CARICOM IMPACS, Speaker TBC  Presentation by Regional Security System (RSS), Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentation by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)6  Presentations by OAS Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP), Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentations by Regional Expert from Global Initiative Against TOC, Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Discussion with Member States and Permanent Observers. Delegations are invited to use the following guiding questions to focus their interventions on practical measures, institutional strengthening, and forward-looking solutions (1.5 mins). (i) What approaches are Member States using to enhance maritime domain awareness, surveillance, and interdiction efforts to address transnational organized crime within the Caribbean maritime space? (ii) How can regional cooperation and institutional frameworks be further strengthened to address capability gaps and support more coordinated maritime responses to evolving transnational organized crime threats? 2.3 Securing the Digital Frontier: Cybersecurity, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and

Institutional Resilience (50 mins). Moderated by the Executive Secretariat of CICTE, Speaker TBC  Presentation by CARICOM IMPACS, Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentations by Department of Legal Cooperation, Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentation by Inter-American Development Bank/ Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Speaker TBC (4-6 mins)  Presentations by Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)/ Guardia Di Finanza, Speaker TBC (4-6 mins).  Discussion with Member States and Permanent Observers. Delegations are invited to use the following guiding questions to focus their interventions on practical measures, institutional strengthening, and forward-looking solutions (1.5 mins). (i) What priority actions are Member States taking to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and protect critical information infrastructure, particularly in border systems, maritime operations, and financial networks, against cyber-enabled organised crime? (ii) How can Member States leverage emerging technologies, including AI and advanced analytics, while managing associated risks, to enhance detection, prevention, and coordinated responses to increasingly sophisticated digital threats?

3. Closing Session (15 mins): 4.1 Remarks by Mr. Ivan Marques, Secretary for Multidimensional Security

(SMS) of the OAS (5 mins)7 4.2 Closing Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the OAS and Coordinator of the CARICOM CAUCUS of Ambassadors in Washington, D.C. (10 mins) V .TARGETED MEETING OUTCOMES The dialogue at the Special Meeting will enable participating OAS Member States and Permanent Observer delegations, the OAS General Secretariat, specifically, the SMS in coordination with the SLA as well as participating regional and international partners, including CARICOM

IMPACS, the RSS, IDB/ CDB, and UNODC, to:

a. Share information on existing instruments, institutional frameworks, operational practices, and national and regional experiences in addressing transnational organized crime and strengthening integrated border, maritime, and digital security architectures in Caribbean Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States; b. Promote enhanced cooperation and coordination at national, regional, and hemispheric levels to strengthen institutional resilience, including through improved intelligencesharing, legal cooperation frameworks, capacity-building, and the adoption of appropriate technologies to address evolving transnational threats; c. Advance dialogue on opportunities to strengthen alignment between operational, legal, and policy responses to transnational organized crime, including through integrated and multisectoral approaches that address both the manifestations and underlying drivers of crime and violence in Caribbean Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States; d. Identify key priorities, areas of convergence, and opportunities for technical cooperation, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization, and consolidate these into a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Committee on Hemispheric Security (CHS), which will serve as a strategic reference to inform ongoing CHS deliberations, future programming, and targeted capacity-building initiatives within the OAS framework and among Caribbean Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States. A concise summary of the meeting’s core findings and agreed areas for action will also be prepared to facilitate the translation of dialogue into practical, implementable outcomes, with particular emphasis on strengthening institutional resilience, enhancing integrated border, maritime, and digital security architectures, and promoting coordinated regional responses to transnational organized crime.