Last Updated on April 26, 2023, 2:18 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, recently addressed the delegation of ambassadors and international representatives attending the third diplomatic week hosted by St Kitts and Nevis. The 2023 edition of Diplomatic Week is being held under the theme of “Driving Change- Advancing the Vision for a sustainable island state.”
During the opening ceremony, held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Dr Drew shared several incredible facts about the rich history of St Kitts and Nevis. Most notably, he informed the international guests in St Kitts and Nevis that the country is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. The Prime Minister added that more than 90% of the country’s population is literate.
PM Drew took the opportunity to share his and his administration’s work to benefit the country’s people, including taking steps towards realizing the administration’s mandate to become a sustainable island state. The Prime Minister added that they had made significant legislative and constitutional reforms to introduce transparency and accountability.
Dr Terrance Drew further extended his sincere gratitude to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Denzil Douglas, for playing an instrumental role in making the diplomatic week possible. Additionally, he acknowledged and welcomed all the diplomats and international ambassadors who attended the event and thanked them for their kind attendance.
Several notable ambassadors participated at the event, including St Kitts and Nevis High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Kevin M Isaac, Ambassador of St Kitts and Nevis to the United Arab Emirates, and Justin Hawley. Other notable attendees included a Special Representative of St Kitts and Nevis to the United Kingdom, Gurdip Dev Bath, Ambassador of Austria, Gabriele Meon, High Commission of Canada, and Lillian Chatterjee, among others.
Dr Terrance Drew expressed his delight at welcoming the ambassadors to the twin-island nation. The diplomatic week serves as an opportunity for international representatives to forge closer relations with one another. Further, Dr Drew believes that The third edition of Diplomatic Week will serve as an opportunity to create more avenues for cooperation and diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, who took office more than eight months ago, asserted that this year’s Diplomatic Week is significant since it falls in the 40th year of the country’s independence. The Prime Minister confessed he is honoured to lead the government through this milestone. At the same time, he committed to making St Kitts and Nevis resilient, prosperous, self-sufficient, peaceful and sustainable.
In his opening address, the Prime Minister added that St Kitts and Nevis’s Diplomatic Week theme, “Driving Change- Advancing a Vision For a Sustainable Island State,” reflects the nation’s mandate to keep themselves aligned with the ever-evolving international community. Dr Terrance Drew further added that they are continuing their efforts to become a sustainable island state.
For this, Dr Drew detailed that to fulfil this mandate, the people of the country are focussing on seven critical pillars:
- Food Security
- Green Energy Transition
- Economic Diversification
- Sustainable Industries
- Creative Economy
- COVID-19 recovery
- Social Protection.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
