Press Releases

Saint Lucia Launches Global Call for Action Towards a Sustainable Water Future

PRESS RELEASE

March 27, 2023


New York, NY (March 27, 2023) -- At the milestone United Nations Water Conference held from 22-24 March, 2023 in New York, Saint Lucia launched a global CALL FOR ACTION on Water Security and Climate Resilience in Small Island Developing States towards SDGs and SAMOA Pathway achievement.

This UN Water Conference, the first in 46 years and co-hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Tajikistan, aimed at raising awareness of the global water crisis and accelerating action towards sustainable water resource management. Member States adopted a Water Action Agenda as a primary outcome, representing voluntary commitments to meeting global water-related goals and targets.


Within the margins of the Water Conference, at a side event focusing on mobilizing partnerships and strengthening existing collaborations, Saint Lucia in partnership with the Governments of Cabo Verde, Palau, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), UNESCO, and UN-OHRLLS, launched the joint Call for Action on enhancing SIDS resilience. The event was also attended by Climate Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands His Royal Highness Prince Jamie de Bourbon de Parme, who praised this initiative.


Hon Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development, and Urban Renewal highlighted the progress made in placing water and its management at the core of Saint Lucia’s national development and climate policies. He emphasized that significant increases in investments in water and water infrastructure are needed if small island economies such as Saint Lucia are to meet the magnitude of interventions required to address challenges in the water sector.


UNESCO who plays a key role in supporting SIDS on water security, through Deputy Director-General Mr. Xing Qu, reiterated the strong focus placed on SIDS within their programming highlighting the 1st UNESCO operational strategy for SIDS currently being developed to address their specific needs, with water security being a key pillar.


With water at the core of sustainable development, this call for action lays the foundation to facilitate tangible cooperative action which will enable small island developing states such as Saint Lucia in reducing vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change, building a more resilient water sector.

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/
Share by: