Press Releases

Press Release - Minister Gale Rigobert, Governing Board of the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP)

PRESS RELEASE

December 1st, 2020

The Honourable Dr. Gale Rigobert, Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations, and Sustainable Development, today assumed her seat as the Co-Chair of the Governing Board of the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP).

Launched at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in September 2019, as one of the tangible outcomes of the UN Secretary General s coalition on Adaptation and Resilience, where Saint Lucia was represented by its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, who worked to ensure that Saint Lucia had an influential role in the Partnership. The REAP brings together an unprecedented range of stakeholders across the climate, humanitarian, and development communities with the aim of making 1 billion people safer from disaster by 2025.



The inaugural meeting of the high-level governing board was held virtually and brought together members from all key REAP stakeholder groups, including developed and developing countries, international institutions, civil society, and the private sector. Discussions focused on the REAP strategic vision, partner engagement, governance arrangements, the development of the implementation plan, and the road to COP26.


The board has a critical role in guiding the Partnership as it advances its work to set ambitious targets which will drive a systemic shift towards acting earlier to reduce the impacts of disasters. The targets highlight the importance of national planning, financing, and delivery mechanisms to support early action, as well as investment and coverage in warning systems with a focus on them reaching the most vulnerable.


Dr. Rigobert stressed that "Saint Lucia s selection as a co-chair along with the United Kingdom as the incoming host of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties ( reflects the international recognition of Saint Lucia s firm resolve at the highest level to advocate for the protection of people and ecosystems from the changes that are brought by changing climate through robust resilience and adaption. This seat at the table provides an opportunity for Saint Lucia to guide the work of the partnership and ensure that the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States are adequately accommodated in the implementation plans."


The International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescents Societies ( IFRC) hosts the REAP Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.

Saint Lucia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Establish Diplomatic Relations

November 10, 2023
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.

Saint Lucia Reiterates Call for End to US Embargo on Cuba at the United Nations

November 2, 2023
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

Prime Minister Addresses the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023
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/
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