Ambassador’s Welcome
The Permanent Mission of Saint Lucia to the United Nations in New York welcomes you to our website. On behalf of my colleagues, I invite and encourage you to use this medium to access information about Saint Lucia and the United Nations.
The Permanent Mission of Saint Lucia is the primary channel for communication between the Government of Saint Lucia and the United Nations (UN). Our Delegation serves at all times to advance the interests of our country. In the process, we articulate the perspectives and views of our country on a wide range of global issues, as we engage other Member States and agencies of the UN in ongoing dialogue through diplomacy and negotiations.
H.E. Menissa Rambally
Saint Lucia History & Culture
Saint Lucia was constantly fought over by the British and the French during the 18th century.
According to some, Saint Lucia was first inhabited sometime between 1000 and 500 BC by the Ciboney people, but there is little evidence of their presence on the island. The first proven inhabitants were the peaceful Arawaks, believed to have come from northern South America around 200-400 AD, as there are numerous archaeological sites on the island where specimens of the Arawaks’ well-developed pottery have been found.
Press Releases:
New York, NY (November 10, 2023) – In line with the continued thrust towards expanding diplomatic partners, this week Saint Lucia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations in New York. Saint Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E Menissa Rambally, and H.E Karlito Nunes, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, signed a joint communiqué on November 08, 2023, establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. The establishment of diplomatic relations with this Southeast Asian state is part of the Government of Saint Lucia’s Foreign Policy to forge new diplomatic ties with non-traditional and other developing economies in pursuit of mutually beneficial development objectives. As Small Island Developing States (SIDS), formalization of relations between the two nations sets the foundation for advancing efforts including addressing climate change, culture, and knowledge exchange as well as pursuing cooperation in other political and socio-economic areas.
New York, NY (November 02, 2023) – At the United Nations General Assembly annual debate on the resolution calling for an end to the United States embargo on Cuba, Saint Lucia joined 186 members states in condemning this blockade. Saint Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E Menissa Rambally, who also delivered a statement on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), highlighted that this long-standing matter continues to serve as an impediment to the regional cooperation that CARICOM maintains with Cuba. The unselfish assistance of Cuba to Saint Lucia, the wider Caribbean and globally in furtherance of socioeconomic development and sustainability is consistent with the values and aspirations of cooperation amongst the countries of the Global South. Cooperation with Saint Lucia in health and other sectors like education, has been the foundation for an enduring bond spanning decades. Saint Lucia acknowledged the indomitable spirit of the Cuban people who continue to persevere despite the unlawful economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States. Ambassador Rambally, reaffirmed the Government of Saint Lucia’s fervent call for an end to this embargo, and expressed hope that the will of the overwhelming majority of the nations of the world is duly respected on this matter. View Statement here: https://youtu.be/Fm6fGuK2a9A?t=2208
Philip Joseph Pierre, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy of Saint Lucia, addresses the general debate of the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 19 - 26 September 2023). The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote. The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRIME MINISTER HON PHILIP J. PIERRE LEADS CARICOM CALL AT UN CLIMATE AMBITION SUMMIT New York, NY (September 20, 2023) – Prime Minister, Hon. Philip J. Pierre on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) outlined the region’s needs and pathways for success in the face of a deepening climate crisis at the UN Climate Ambition Summit. At the summit held in the margins of the UN General Assembly High Level Week, Prime Minister Pierre emphasized that despite the efforts of CARICOM Member States in advancing adaptation and resilience initiatives, greater ambition by major emitters, new and increased access to climate finance as well as delivery of pledges and commitments made, will be key if small island developing states are to thrive amidst the climate crisis. Prime Minister Pierre highlighted that the operationalisation and capitalisation of the loss and damage fund, systematic approaches for debt relief and targeted support to accelerate implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Member States are also urgently required. CARICOM welcomed the UN Secretary General’s Acceleration Agenda as a clear pathway for success towards ensuring the protection of lives and livelihoods. Prime Minister Pierre is currently Lead Head for Sustainable Development and Climate Change for the CARICOM. PM Philip J Pierre - UN Climate Ambition 2023 (CARICOM Statement)
