Press Releases

Hon. Shawn Edward Leads CARICOM Call for Accelerated Action on Disaster Risk Reduction at the United Nations

Press Release


New York, NY (May 19, 2023) – At the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework held from 18-19 May 2023, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Hon Shawn Edward, Minister with responsibility for Sustainable Development and current Chairman of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), highlighted to the General Assembly, the core regional priorities around disaster risk reduction.

He noted the Caribbean’s increasing vulnerability to disaster risks, particularly in the realms of climate change, existing high debt levels as well as being small and open economies, highly susceptible to external shocks, limiting national and regional capacities to adequately prepare and respond to disasters.

Minister Edward emphasised the need for targeted actions, including around early warning systems, improving disaster preparedness and response plans, training and capacity building in emergency responses, building up emergency supplies and infrastructure, as well as establishing systems to coordinate disaster response efforts.


This High-Level Meeting also saw the adoption of a political declaration by member states as a renewal of commitments and to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework up to 2030.


In addition to Minister Edward’s participation in other high-level dialogues, in his capacity as Minister with responsibility for Education, Innovation, Science, Technology, and Vocational Training, positive discussions were held with officials from the UN Office of Human Resources (OHR), initiating efforts towards strengthening Saint Lucia’s recruitment into the UN system through the Ministry and local education institutions.


View Hon Shawn Edward’s address to the General Assembly here:

https://rb.gy/7vq8s

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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