Press Releases

Saint Lucia Signs Historic High Seas Treaty At UN General Assembly

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SAINT LUCIA SIGNS HISTORIC HIGH SEAS TREATY



New York, NY (September 20, 2023) – Prime Minister, Hon. Philip J. Pierre in the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week, signed the landmark Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (referred to as the BBNJ Agreement).


The ocean plays a critical role in the economy and regulating climate, this global agreement is designed to ensure marine resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction or what is commonly called the “high seas” are preserved against increasing human and natural threats.

For Small Island Developing States like Saint Lucia, this agreement provides a framework for a fair and equitable receipt of benefits from the utilization of marine resources in the high seas, as well as capacity building and transfer of marine technology.


Having participated in the negotiations of this treaty, Saint Lucia is among one of the first countries to sign this agreement. This demonstrates the Government of Saint Lucia’s continued commitment to leading the global effort for advancing the development of resilient ecosystems, covering both land and marine-based resources.


The signing of this agreement is one of the highlights in the schedule of activities for the Saint Lucia delegation at this year’s UN High-Level Week Meetings.

Prime Minister Pierre was the sixth world leader to sign this agreement.

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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