St Kitts and Nevis: Dr Terrance Drew – The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, delivered his opening speech during the opening ceremony of the Diplomatic Week on Tuesday, 25 April 2023. Diplomats and representatives from across the globe attended the event held under the theme of themed “Driving Change – Advancing a Vision For a Sustainable Island State Opening Ceremony.”
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew began his speech by mentioning that the twin-island nation is the home of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. He added that the nation has over 90 per cent of literacy rate among the population while sharing some of the essential facts about the country with the visiting diplomats.
Meanwhile, PM Drew outlined that St Kitts and Nevis vows and aims to become the first Sustainable Island State. The government of the island country has been putting in numerous efforts and laying the foundation stone for revolutionary change required to achieve the set goal for the last eight months, said the PM.
While extending his remarks, he also stressed that substantial legislative and constitutional reforms had been a vital part of such changes in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the entire scenario.
To turn the idea of the “Diplomatic Week” into reality, Denzil Douglas, the Foreign Affairs Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, has made noticeable efforts, Prime Minister added.
During his address at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Terrance Drew welcomed and extended warm greetings to the visiting diplomats from around the globe to attend the event. He recognized the presence of Justin Hawley – SKN Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates; Kevin M Isaac- St Kitts and Nevis High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Gabriele Meon – Ambassador of Austria, Abdelkader Hadjazi- Algerian Ambassador, Gurdip Dev Bath – Special Representative of St Kitts and Nevis, Lilian Chatterjee- High Commission of Canada among other distinguished personalities.
While receiving the ambassadors from across the world, Prime Minister Terrance Drew expressed his heartfelt gratitude and noted, “I am grateful for the fact that you all have come to attend the event while acknowledging the opportunity to understand and create further collaborations with St Kitts and Nevis to contribute in making the world a sustainable place built on the fundamentals of peace and democracy.”
The Diplomatic Week event is currently held in its third sitting hosted by the twin-island federation, which holds specific importance as it falls on the occasion of the nation’s 40th Anniversary, said the Prime Minister.
“At this substantial point of time in the nation’s history, I am honoured to represent the government of St Kitts and Nevis as the Prime Minister of the country,” he asserted.
Furthermore, he assured the attendees and the people of the Caribbean country to transform it into a never like before resilient, prosperous, self-sufficient and sustainable nation in every manner.
In addition, he stressed the theme of the event, “Driving Change- Advancing a Vision for a Sustainable Island State,” and explained that it aims at forging an innovative and visionary path by the administraton of St Kitts and Nevis for achieving all the set aspirations.
To achieve the goal of transforming the nation into a Sustainable Island State, the government of St Kitts and Nevis has been putting continuous efforts and launching a variety of initiatives, said the Prime Minister. Additionally, he recognized the important role of all the diplomatic partners of the country and stated that the government looks forward to strengthening its ties and cooperation with them to attain the ultimate goal of a Sustainable Island State.
During his speech, Prime Minister Terrance Drew also explained the distinguished plans and frameworks for fulfilling the goal of becoming a Sustainable Island State. He described that the goal stands on seven key factors, which read as follows:
- Social Protection
- Sustainable Industries
- COVID-19 recovery
- Economic Diversification
- Green Energy Transition
- Creative Economy
- Food Security
While mentioning the plans, PM Terrance Drew said that the nation is focusing on boosting the rate of agricultural production and manufacturing in the period of the next five years. The anticipated goal would be accomplished with the help of modern technology and innovations.
He also aims to transform the nation into a water and energy-sustainable country by taking it to a position where it is possible through a visionary approach.
On the other hand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of St Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas, has cited that the government of the island nation is fully committed and working towards the ultimate goals.
He mentioned that after the worldwide pandemic, the small island countries in the Caribbean region had been placed in such roles to contribute to the bigger cause.
The nation’s economy has been taking the industrial sector as the anchor. He concluded that if the government could find a way to collaborate on projects involving green technology, the industrial part could be uplifted and enhanced in a significant sense.
