The Minister of Sustainable Development of St Kitts & Nevis, Dr Joyelle Clark is the first member of the small island development states to serve on the Bureau of the next United Nations Environment Assembly.
The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face specific climate change and environmental threats due to their comparatively limited landmass, and reliance on coastal resources and tourism.
The UNEA bureau plays a pivotal and influential role in advising the president in the general conduct of commerce of the UNEA, their tasks entail advising on matters relevant to session organization, determining and setting the agenda, and providing continual guidance on the standard for global environmental governance.
Dr Clarke was one of the youngest females to hold a director’s position in a government office, specifically the Department of Constituency Empowerment in 2012. She has been related to sustainable livelihood research and social impact assessment.
She has also developed several programmes as both a government official and community activist. Outside of these notable achievements she also co-founded a consultancy firm that advises companies and communities to become more mutually beneficial, along with a mentorship program called “Women Empowering Girls” where she serves as a mentor at ”GirlsCare” in Jamaica.
Dr Clarke expressed her immense gratitude for her appointment, she stated “It is a tremendous privilege to be elected to serve on the UNEA-7 Bureau. This endorsement not only reflects the confidence of my peers in the Latin American and Caribbean States grouping but also highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of small island nations in global environmental decision-making processes.”
She also expressed that her appointment will also act as a podium for the voice of small island developing states towards decisions that will have a global influence. Dr. Clarke will assume her appointment at the UNEA-7 Bureaus when it is next held from 8 to 12 December 2025.