1. Brussels, 3 rd December 2013 OCTA Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union

2. Table of content 1.What is OCTA ? 2. Mission and strategic objectives 3. Bureau’s support to OCTA to achieve its objectives 4. Thematic Networks 5. Knowledge Centre

3. What is OCTA? OCTA is a non-profit organization registered in Belgium in 2003 and has 22 members, linked to 4 EU Member States, with a trans regional scope: Twelve Caribbean OCTs which are : Anguilla (UK), Aruba (NL), Cayman Islands (UK), Bonaire (NL), Curaçao (NL), Saba (NL), Sint-Marteen (NL), Sint- Eustatius (NL), British VI (UK), Montserrat (UK), Turks & Caïcos (UK) and Saint Barthelemy (FR) Four OCTs in the Pacific: French Polynesia (FR), New Caledonia (FR), Pitcairn (UK) & Wallis & Futuna Six isolated or uninhabited OCTs: Falklands Island (UK), Greenland (DEN), Mayotte (FR), Saint Pierre et Miquelon (FR), TAAF (French Southern and Atlantic Lands, FR) St Helena (UK) http://www.octassociation.org/

4. The Objectives of OCTA To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and discussion on problems of common interests; To work for the mutual benefit of the OCTs and share information on common issues and best practices; To issue, where required, recommendations to all OCTs governments and Member States of the EU, on the necessary measures to be undertaken; To develop efficient work relations with the institutions of the EU and the ACP Group of States; To represent OCTs’ collective interests towards the European Institutions.

5. The Ministerial Conference: highest decision-making body, sets political orientations and priorities of OCTA. Meets yearly to adopt admin and political resolutions, annual roadmap, and to elect Chair and Vice Chair The Board of Chairman (proposal to be approved): consisting of the Chair, Vice-Chair and immediate Past Chair of OCTA The Executive Committee (ExCo) 8 Members, who are OCTs representatives based in Europe Acts as Secretariat of the Ministerial Conference Meets monthly OCTA STRUCTURE

6. OCTA Strategic objectives and Priority Area Strategic Objectives: Working collectively to develop common interests set out in the strategic plan, the roadmap and the political resolutions of OCTA and based on the 3 pillars, the 3 Cs of the OCTA Strategy: Cooperation Capacity building Communication FINANCING COOPERATION CAPACITY BUILDING COMMUNICATION

7. OCTA Strategic Priority Area Priorities Areas : The key areas in which OCTA works to strengthen the regional, European and intra OCTs cooperation : Environment and Climate Change Trade and Regional Integration Research, Education and Innovation Renewable energies Financial services EU-OCTs-MS Policy Dialogue

8. OCTA Technical Assistance Team (OCTA Bureau) funded from the 10 th EDF, for the period Dec 2012 to Nov 2015. The Bureau assists OCTA in the preparation & implementation of the OCTA Strategies and Annual Road maps The profiles of experts reflect OCTA priority areas, namely: Trade & Regional integration (KE1: Pierre BERTHELOT) Research & Education (KE 2: Hugues LEGROS) Environment (KE 3 : Aurélie GHYJSELS) Communication (KE 4: Ylenia CIMMARRUSTI) OCTA Office: Avenue de la Toison d’Or, 67, 1060 Brussels. Technical Assistance (OCTA Bureau)

9. The TA team supports OCTA in order to: - Increase policy dialogue and cooperation between OCTs and the EU; - Increase administrative and technical capacity in the OCTs to manage EU funds; (EDF, EU programmes, as H2020, Erasmus+, Life+, COSME, DCI,…) - Enhance coordination and communication among OCTs in order to increase information sharing and facilitate cooperation. The TA team supports the training of OCTs interns, either students or professional. OCTA Bureau activities

10. Thematic Networks and Knowledge Center Means to support OCTA strategy and implementation of the activities: THEMATIC NETWORKS KNOWLEDGE CENTER

11. Thematic Networks Why develop Networks?  Share knowledge, information & best practices and mobilize expertise, tools and facilities;  Ease the creation of new partnerships;  Build capacity (11 th EDF programming, EU Funds and Programmes);

12. OCT GovernmentPublic servant & utilitiesOther local stakeholders Thematic Networks Who are the beneficiaries of the Thematic Networks? Local Focal Points

13. OCTA WORKING GROUPS & PWP OCTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE HOSTED ON OCTA WEBSITE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE HOSTED ON OCTA WEBSITE THEMATIC NETWORKS Thematic Networks and Knowledge Centre What is the Thematic Networks interface ?

14. How do Thematic Networks work? Collaborative platform; Events and conferences; Funding opportunities; Feedback on studies and recommendations online; New technologies, expertise, methodologies; Technical support to SPD & call responses; Links between priority thematics, Etc. Thematic Networks

15. Brussels, 3 rd December 2013 THANK YOU