Press Releases

Saint Lucia Elected Chair of UN Decolonization Committee

PRESS RELEASE

February 16, 2023


Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) H.E. Menissa Rambally was elected chair of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), during elections held at the organizational session of the C-24 on 16th February. The Committee, which consists of 29 members, also elected the Ambassadors of Cuba, Indonesia, and Sierra Leone as its three Vice-Chairs. and the Syrian Arab Republic as its Rapporteur.


In her statement following the election, Ambassador Rambally acknowledged the important work of her predecessor, Ambassador Keisha McGuire of Grenada, “who led the committee skillfully through the difficult period at the height of the global pandemic.” She further noted:


“The C-24 will remain true to its mandate entrusted upon by the General Assembly, and (will) fulfill that mandate in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant General Assembly resolutions. The C-24 will address the needs and situation of each Territory on its agenda, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the Territory’s particular circumstances.”


Currently, there are seventeen, mostly island, non-self-governing territories formally recognized by the UN General Assembly. The substantive work of the UN on the self-determination of these territories is conducted by the Special Committee on Decolonization which was instrumental in Saint Lucia’s progression to independence.


Ambassador Rambally is scheduled to lead a United Nations Delegation to the UN Pacific Regional Seminar in Bali, Indonesia in May to review the progress achieved in the implementation of the Plan of Action for Eradication of Colonialism with specific emphasis on the Pacific territories. Saint Lucia was the host of the highly successful regional seminar in 2022 that focused attention on the Caribbean territories.

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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