With an understanding of the critical role of law and order in the functioning of any society, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis intends to make significant investments in the physical plant and human resource development within the national security apparatus in the Federation.
 
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, while presenting the Appropriation Bill (2023), 2022, also known as the Budget Address, on December 14, said “there can be no meaningful or sustainable national development in the absence of law and order.”
 
The Prime Minister said, “The maintenance of law and order and the safety and security of citizens and residents are the first and most sacred responsibilities of any government. Societal peace and stability are prerequisites for true social and economic development and also for the accomplishment of our progressive Sustainable Island State Agenda.”
 
It was noted that the approach to policing in St. Kitts and Nevis going forward will be informed by the timely analysis of crime statistics and intelligence gained from the interagency collaboration of the security forces nationally, regionally and internationally.
 
“Therefore, the budgetary resources would support the police’s strategic outlook for improved collaboration with local law enforcement entities, regional and international agencies, continued use and pursuit of science and technology in crime prevention and solvability, and importantly, embracing and actively supporting the current social intervention programmes. Moreover, specialized training will be incorporated into the training programmes offered to the police including DNA diagnostics, cybercrime, and crypto-currency certification,” Dr. Drew said.
 
The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew further noted that the $74.6 million being allocated for Recurrent Expenditure under the Ministry of National Security, Citizenship and Immigration in the 2023 Budget will provide for the construction and upgrade of the various police facilities. 
 
“These will include the completion of the Multi-Purpose Training Centre at Lime Kiln, the relocation of the Traffic Department to the Police Training Complex at Ponds Pasture, and the renovation of the Charlestown and Gingerland police stations. In the new year, we would also explore the reopening of a police station in the Parish of St. Paul’s. Madam Speaker, in 2023, several other priorities will be pursued for the security forces. For the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), we will collaborate with the Nevis Island Administration in the identification of lands on Nevis for the permanent home of the SKNDF on Nevis. Further, the Coast Guard is expected to benefit from the acquisition of a forty (40) foot Patrol Boat by the end of 2023, donated by the US Government,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew added.
 
In the upcoming year, greater emphasis and resources will also be spent on recruiting, retaining and upgrading the manpower in the Police and Defence Forces, the Immigration Department and the Prison Services.

Economic diversification is an essential feature of development. As such, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has earmarked six key sectors for diversification and growth opportunities.

Among the six key sectors are agriculture; the medicinal cannabis industry; construction; tourism; manufacturing and the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme – all of which were highlighted in the Appropriation Bill (2023), 2022 (Budget Address) delivered by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. Terrance M. Drew on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort under the theme: “Towards Our Transformation as a Sustainable Small Island State.”

“Madam Speaker, food security is a high priority in our Sustainable Island State Agenda and has significant links to the expansion of our Manufacturing Sector and the creation of sustainable livelihoods. Our Government is committed to modernizing the Agriculture Sector and bringing it into the 21st Century,” said Dr. Drew. “We are, therefore, determined to ensure the repositioning of the Agriculture Sector to enable it to make a greater contribution to economic growth, employment, food and nutrition security, and overall sustainability of our country.”

As it relates to the tourism industry, Prime Minister Drew said that the “increased engagement by the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority with key local and international stakeholders, has contributed immensely to a strong rebound.”

“Madam Speaker, it is important for us to understand that the Tourism Sector is a catalyst for growth in several other sectors in the economy. Thus, the rebound in the industry has potential to multiply throughout sectors such as wholesale and retail, and transport, storage and communication,” said the Prime Minister. “…The Ministry of Tourism is predicting that our destination will experience an influx of over 900,000 cruise passengers for the 2022/2023 cruise season. Our Government is standing firmly behind our tourism team and the many stakeholders who are working together to advance all aspects of the rebound in the sector.”

Prime Minister Dr. Drew said that the construction sector continues to play a significant role in the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“The Construction Sector, an important engine for growth and development here in St. Kitts and Nevis over the years, has contributed on average five percent to job creation and about 16 percent to our GDP. In the coming year, the Government will initiate the construction of the Renaissance Housing Programme,” he said. “Under this Programme, our Government will, over the next five (5) years, construct 2,000 energy efficient homes around the island. The National Housing Corporation (NHC) will commence the first phase of building in the first quarter of 2023 with the construction of 100 homes.”

Prime Minister Dr. Drew also touched on the revamped Medicinal Cannabis Authority which was installed with a mission to “regulate the Medicinal Cannabis Industry in St. Kitts and Nevis. He added that “it is the vision of our Government, through this Authority, to have a medical, therapeutic and scientific cannabis industry that creates equal opportunities, enables people’s health and wellness with safe and diverse products, fosters investor confidence and strengthens the St. Kitts and Nevis economy through an effective regulatory framework.”

Dr. Drew noted that the Government has “pledged its commitment to ensure that the manufacturing sector is developed as a central pillar of our economy serving as a greater contributor to economic growth. In our Government’s view, diversification of our economy is not optional. In fact, it is an essential pillar in the Sustainable Island State Agenda where manufacturing is seen as a vehicle for transforming our economy, creating sustainable jobs and a credible source for earning critical foreign exchange.”

Equally important, Prime Minister Dr.  Drew said that the revenues from our CBI “have allowed our nation to thrive. It has given us the opportunity to advance our people without overreliance on international financial aid. After four decades of erudition and development, now is the time to ensure that the programme transcends to the modern age and the security infrastructure is enhanced and strengthened. In the same vein, we are seeking to ensure that our CBI Programme is mutually beneficial for all stakeholders, the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, investors, developers, local service providers, and international marketing agents.”

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew laid the Annual Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals for 2023 today, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in the National Assembly. The monetary bill outlines his administration’s plans for leading the transformation of a better St. Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew, who is also the Minister responsible for Finance, introduced and had read a first time The Appropriation (2023) Bill, 2022 during the sitting of the National Assembly at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Royal Ballroom.

The Appropriation (2023) Bill, 2022, commonly referred to as the Budget Address, was presented under the theme, “Towards our transformation as a Sustainable Small Island State.”

Leading the debate on the 2023 Budget, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said, “This theme challenges the Government, businesses, civil society and households to rethink our collective approaches to governance, public policy, commerce, socio-economic development and our continued existence here on these two islands we call home,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew.

“In many respects, Madam Speaker, this is a clarion call to action as we are challenged to find better options for sustaining growth and development of our country. We therefore must pursue a path where we can build forward, but not only to build forward, but to build forward better,” the Honourable Prime Minister added. 

The Government’s sustainable island state agenda is being guided by seven key pillars which include food security, green energy transition, economic diversification, sustainable industries, the creative economy, COVID-19 recovery and social protection. 

“In this context, over the next twelve months our Government will use the 2023 Estimates as a vehicle to vigorously pursue a number of policies, programmes and projects that would allow us to achieve some of the important objectives that will help us to move forward with our agenda to make St. Kitts and Nevis a better place to live, to work and to visit,” Dr. Drew said. 

Prime Minister Dr. Drew said citizens and residents can be assured of his administration’s commitment to delivering on these transformative objectives based on the Government’s already impressive track record of delivering for the people in just four short months.

The Sitting of the National Assembly will continue from Thursday, 15th December, 2022 at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre.

The Rehabilitation Programme of His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) continues to break new ground as it seeks to positively transform the minds and lives of inmates.

Louis Gardener, Alpha Duporte, Keith Murray, and Inebo Hendrickson, were the first residents of HMP to be certified in Welding and Mechanic from the Advanced Vocational Educational Centre (AVEC). The four men were a part of the pilot programme with AVEC which began in 2019. Studies were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when stringent measures were taken to limit community spread. The inmates were able to complete their studies and passed their exams earlier this year. They received their certificates on December 1, 2022, during AVEC’s graduation ceremony at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Louis Gardener said it was an extremely proud moment.

“I felt thrilled and had a great feeling of exuberance because to see all the hard work, in spite of the twists and the turns, to see that we finally reached the apex,” he said, noting that there is still room for professional growth. “Being at the graduation it was a momentous occasion and something that I embraced.”

Mr. Gardener already possessed the practical skills required in welding and mechanic. He learned it at Camp Springfield in 2015, where he services and repairs vehicles as well as welds gates, railings, burglar bars, and other structures. His work can be seen at the Coast Guard Base where he worked tirelessly with others to install new interior and exterior railings during renovations.

HMP’s Rehabilitation Officer, Virgil Hodge, stated that the Rehabilitation Programme finds a variety of ways to engage the men and women who are incarcerated. These include educational programmes, music, art, agriculture, construction, baking, mentorship, and training, among others. The Welding and Mechanic Programme falls under education and training.

Officer Hodge said that the success of the pilot programme has sparked interest among other inmates.

“That’s great because I know once they have good behaviour, we will definitely make sure that they get that opportunity to do that,” she noted.
As for the successful four, Officer Hodge said that efforts will be made for them to expand their horizons whether at the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) at Camp Springfield or some other opportunity.

“That’s something we have to look at because we may lack the officers who will have to be there with them [on a job attachment] but we cannot stay there,” Ms. Hodge expressed, sharing a determination to find a practical solution. “There has to be some continuation of them practicing their skill until the time for release.”

Mr. Gardener praised all involved for creating this avenue of rehabilitation. These include Commissioner of Corrections Terrance James, Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Denzil Harris, Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie, Director of AVEC Winston Brookes and his staff, and others who assisted in the programme and at the SKNDF Camp. He also applauded Officer Hodge.

“She played a crucial role in our achievements,” he stated. “Her tireless work and dedication that she puts in are just amazing. Many times, she even used her own transportation just to ensure we reached class. And sometimes, even though she has other activities to attend, if we need a little extra five or ten minutes [after class] she happily granted us that time. Words itself cannot be sufficient for me to express my gratitude to her,” Mr. Gardener added.

He indicated that the other inmates who received their certificates in Welding and Mechanic share similar sentiments and are anxious to give back to society through service.

 Permanent Secretaries from across various Government Ministries are taking part in a two-day professional development training course (December 12-13) to enhance the efficient functioning of the Public Service. On December 12, 2022, Corporate Trainer Mr. Douglas Wattley spoke about the purpose of the training sessions and the desired outcomes upon completion.

“This week, as well as last week and the previous week, I have been engaged with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to train some of its senior staff in how to conduct a situation analysis, a simple task but one that is needed as we propose a different way to run the Public Service. We are hoping that we can be in a position to operate the Public Service as an evidence-based organization, where our decisions are made based on the analysis of data. Today, the workshop is with permanent secretaries since we previously had Heads of Departments/Divisions, Senior Assistant Secretaries, and certain technical officers from across the Government,” said Mr. Wattley.
 
The training is part of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to human resource development and investment in ways to improve the Public Service.
 
“Over the two weeks of training, 95 persons would have already been trained. This sets the foundation for a new paradigm that we are trying to introduce in the Public Service. I have been asked to help. The Government through the Prime Minister has indicated that training will be a critical component of the Public Service going forward. The Government wants to build competency across the Public Service, and I hope to play a part in that,” said Mr. Wattley.
 
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has earmarked capacity building of the domestic population as a critical part of its developmental agenda. The Public Service will be a key driving force in delivering public goods and services to the larger population, and the roll-out of all the plans the Government has.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to actively pursue anti-corruption legislation and other related measures that will promote good governance at all levels across the public sector.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, reiterated the government’s commitment to anti-corruption during a national address to mark today’s, December 09, 2022, observance of International Anti-Corruption Day. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Uniting the World Against Corruption.”

The Attorney General noted that the mandate government received on August 05, 2022, when it was elected with overwhelming support from the electorate, was a clear signal for good governance and greater openness.

“It is because of this clear mandate from the people, your government has moved swiftly to implement the main three pillars of our Federation’s Anti-Corruption programme,” he stated. “Very shortly, the Integrity Commission will finally get the teeth needed to address corruption by high-level public officers in our Federation by way of amendments and regulations to the Integrity in Public Life Act.”

Attorney General Wilkin added that “Our proposed Anti-Corruption Act envisions the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute criminal acts of corruption throughout the Civil Service, Statutory Boards and Government-Owned Companies.

“The Freedom of Information Act will finally be operationalized to allow access to the press and public to non-confidential Government information,” he indicated.

It was also revealed that the government is actively reviewing the United Nations Convention against Corruption to determine if the Federation should accede to that treaty.

“Corrupt activities like government officials taking bribes drain public resources away from education, health care, social programmes, and effective infrastructure – the kinds of investments that can improve economic performance and raise living standards for ALL,” Honourable Wilkin said. “That is why tackling corruption is the right and responsibility of everyone, and only through cooperation and the involvement of each and every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime.”

The Attorney General stated that “under the leadership of our Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, this country, our proud Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, will be a success story in the fight against corruption.”

The Department of Constituency Empowerment (DCE) is rolling out its Christmas Community Cleanup Caravan during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
 
In a joint effort among Parks and Beaches, the Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP), and the Alternative Lifestyle Pathway Programme, the DCE intends to promote improved, environmental spaces by undergoing an intense, island-wide cleanup campaign from Friday 9^th December until Sunday 18^th December, 2022.
 
Areas of interest for cleanup include beaches, parks, green spaces, cemeteries, verges, inner communities, and illegal dump sites.
 
Project Manager, Colincia Levine made an appeal to the public to take advantage of the Clean Up Campaign and outlined how the weekend cleanup will come about. She said, “Bins have been strategically placed in each constituency and I urge residents to dispose of their waste in the bins or place the waste discreetly along the main road. Over the weekend, movers will do community walk-throughs loading waste items into trucks that will be taken to the various bins. Additionally, the yards of identified vulnerable people will be landscaped.”
 
The Christmas Community Clean Up aims to not only address environmental matters but also to stimulate economies within the communities by utilizing service providers like landscapers, bin disposal companies, heavy machine operators and truckers within each constituency.
 
Minister of Environment et al, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke said the cleanup campaign is critical as it will improve overall health and economic advantages.
 
She said, “Residents, without this kind of support would have otherwise been unable to properly and adequately dispose of trash and other unwanted items that are health and environmental hazards. It is therefore to the benefit of citizens, service providers and the Government that this project is initiated and sustained.”
 
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Sharon Rattan, said as a direct outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) and also fulfilling the National Agenda relating to youth action, the Ministry will make a special call to youth volunteers to join the campaign to clean up and be more environmentally conscious. Another youth target group included students from the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College as Data Collectors.

Good day fellow Kittitians and Nevisians, home and abroad, and all persons who chose our Federation to be your home. Today, December 9, 2022, we join with the international community of responsible nations in celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day.
 
The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, and by extension the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, fully endorse and support efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in “Uniting the World Against Corruption,” the theme for this year’s celebration.
 
The aim of the 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day and its related activities is to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development.
 
At its core, corruption is the use of power for private gain. It is a greed-driven crime.
 
Corruption touches and concerns all of us. Just look at daily news items throughout the world, including right here at home in our recent past, and you will see how disastrous corruption is to societies.
 
While your Government crafts and delivers a brand new diversified economy where ALL (not just some) can truly benefit, we must move forward as a Nation by eliminating corruption and its impact on our Treasury
 
It is for this reason that I am pleased to announce that your Government is actively reviewing the the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to determine whether we should join the 188 other nations who have acceded to that treaty and thereby have committed to the Convention’s anti-corruption obligations and recognition of the importance of good governance, accountability, and political commitment to anti-corruption.
 
We can all agree that there is an immediate need for good governance and greater openness in our Federation’s government. On August 5, 2022, our people called loudly for a new day and a better way in this important tenet of democracy.
 
It is because of this clear mandate from the people, your Government has moved swiftly to implement the main three pillars of our Federation’s Anti-Corruption programme.
 
Very shortly, the Integrity Commission will finally get the teeth needed to address corruption by high-level public officers in our Federation by way of amendments and regulations to the Integrity in Public Life Act.
 
Our proposed Anti-Corruption Act envisions the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute criminal acts of corruption throughout the Civil Service, Statutory Boards and Government-Owned Companies.
 
The Freedom of Information Act will finally be operationalized to allow access to the press and public to non-confidential Government information.
 
Why are we doing all of this? Why are we prioritizing anti-corruption legislation?
 
Because Anti-corruption is built into our Country’s Motto: Country Above Self.
 
Our history demands not only that our leaders NOT be bought and sold but that we proudly proclaim that this is virtually impossible and that any attempts to do so will be subject to criminal sanctions imposed by law.
 
We must take these active steps because corruption can easily cripple small island developing states like ours due to our size and limited resources. It can have a profoundly detrimental effect on public finances as governments collect less in tax revenue and overpay for goods and services or investment projects.
 
Corrupt activities like government officials taking bribes drain public resources away from education, health care, social programmes, and effective infrastructure—the kinds of investments that can improve economic performance and raise living standards for ALL.
 
That is why tackling corruption is the right and responsibility of everyone, and only through cooperation and the involvement of each and every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime.
 
States, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, the Church, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth alike all have a role to play in this.
 
From education to the environment, from business to sports, from gender equality to access to justice, and more – corruption undermines all areas of society’s development.
 
Corruption drains an economy and grows like a cancer until it destroys the system.
 
It is the honest taxpayer and the hardworking men and women who pay the price when Government funds which should go to provide essential services are syphoned off into the pockets of public officials and their private conspirators and cronies. We see examples across the world and unfortunately on our own shores.
 
However, under the leadership of our Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, this country, our proud Federation of St Kitts and Nevis will be a success story in the fight against corruption.
 
We will be the beacon of hope that shines bright throughout the Caribbean and the wider world, to prove to our friends and neighbours in the international community: where there is a will, there is a way.
 
With the mandate of the people, and the commitment of the Government, even a small nation like ours can Unite the World Against Corruption.
 
I therefore implore each and every one of you to play your part in eradicating corruption from our society. May God bless you. Happy International Anti-Corruption Day.

Government Ministers, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and experts from regional and international organizations, gathered at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Thursday, December 08 to take part in the Women’s Empowerment Project’s International Forum organized by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
 
The International Forum was guided by the theme, “Towards a New Frontier: Promoting Sustainable Development in the Eastern Caribbean through Women’s Economic Empowerment.”
 
The Republic of China (Taiwan) launched the Women’s Empowerment Project in 2021. It is designed to strengthen the economic empowerment of women by providing them with the resources needed to support entrepreneurship, through vocational training and entrepreneurship counseling.
 
Among those in attendance at today’s event were the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley; Junior Minister responsible for Gender Affairs, the Honourable Isalean Phillip; the Honourable Samal Duggins; His Excellency Michael Chau-Horng Lin, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan); Saint Lucia’s Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, the Honourable Emma Hippolyte; Ms. Cierra Saylor of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, and other notable dignitaries. 
 
In giving an overview of the project to date, Ambassador Lin noted that in less than fifteen months, two hundred (200) trainees benefitted from the vocational training courses, sixty (60) trainees were awarded start-up grants and one hundred and twenty (120) micro, small and medium sized enterprises were offered counseling services under the Women’s Empowerment Programme.
 
“We engaged in these efforts in the hope that women will become more financially resilient and a steadfast force in society,” the Ambassador stated.
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew commented that the issue of women’s empowerment remains high on the agenda of his Government and one that will continue to be addressed.
 
“Our decision is based on a number of principles but the obvious principle is equity and that we understand clearly that there is no difference between the genders. But in addition to that we know that in St. Kitts and Nevis most of our households are headed by women and therefore when you would have had an event like COVID-19 that would have rocked our economy, like others around the world, one would expect that women will be disproportionately affected, negatively,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew. “And so, it makes a lot of sense to have a programme like this, especially in St. Kitts and Nevis, targeting women because as this programme empowers women, it empowers the home, it empowers children, it empowers partners, families, communities and the nation on a whole.”
 
Presentations were also made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H. E. Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu and the Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), Mr. T. Y. Timothy Hsiang.
 
Topics discussed during the one-day event included the nexus between women’s economic empowerment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), current trends and challenges in women’s economic empowerment in the Eastern Caribbean, the role of women in global sustainability and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on SMEs financing in the Eastern Caribbean and the urgent need for a modern credit ecosystem.

As his second UNESCO speaking engagement since taking office, the Hon. Konris Maynard,  St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, Information and Communications Technology, and Post, was invited to address UN water ministers, and water experts and other international agencies, and stakeholders, at the UN-Water Summit on Groundwater held at UNESCO, Paris, this week.
 
He was the only minister from a small island developing state to address this UN conference. He extended his views to also embrace the concerns of his fellow ministers of the Caribbean SIDS, which all share similar groundwater supply challenges.
 
“I wish to speak of the chronic paucity of groundwater supplies in St. Kitts and Nevis and across the entire Caribbean– with a legacy going back years  – a situation that has intensified as a result of climate change”, the Minister noted.
 
Noting that St. Kitts and Nevis faces three climate change-induced impacts of higher temperatures and droughts, with a decrease in annual rainfall of nearly 20% over the last 10 years alone leading to critical water shortages, coastal Erosion leading to loss of beach and damage to coastal infrastructure and increase in the number and intensity of hurricanes in our region, Minister Maynard, reiterated his Government’s determination to restore the policy of 24-hour supply of water.  However, “certain topographical and infrastructural characteristics of small islands hamper our efforts in the replenishment of freshwater including small land mass with limited catchment basins. There is limited availability of surface water throughout the year leading to high dependence on limited amounts of groundwater, which at present require fossil fuel energy to extract. In addition, climate change factors have exacerbated the problem as Global warming has contributed to issues such as drainage problems, soil and water degradation, and rising sea levels leading to saltwater intrusion in aquifers causing contamination of groundwater”.
 
Minister Maynard explained that Saint Kitts and Nevis has a small land mass, with limited catchment basins, creating limitations in the replenishment of freshwater resources. A lack of availability of surface water throughout the year, with high dependence on limited amounts of groundwater, means that fossil fuel energy is required to extract the sources.  Underlining that climate change factors have exacerbated the problem, he asserted that “global warming, as rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion in aquifers, have aggravated contamination of groundwater, and contributed to drainage problems and water degradation”
 
Recognising the critical role of water in food production by Caribbean governments, and the continuing struggle with inadequate supplies of water for agriculture, the Minister opined that, “This fuels several conflicts, as different areas including agriculture, hydroelectricity, and drinking water and sanitation, compete for this already scarce resource”.
 
Urging the international multilateral and bilateral communities to intervene in providing technical expertise, Minister Maynard stated, “Distinguished Ministers and UN experts, I do not exaggerate when I state that I have probably understated the very real challenges to water security of Caribbean SIDS”.
 
Going forward, asserted Minister Maynard, “what is desperately needed is increased expertise in the use of technological innovations, such as solar-powered (micro) irrigation systems to improve water efficiency. Expertise is also required for the management of, and access to, clean and renewable energy to increase agricultural productivity, and optimisation of water use”
 
Minister Maynard called upon UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), the FAO and other relevant UN agencies, to join governments in the Caribbean region  in strengthening the Caribbean SIDS scientific, technical and policy capacities to achieve the immediate and urgent goals, notably to enhance water security and supplies, improve water quality and waste-water management and promote safe reuse of waste-water,
 
The St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, H.E. David P. Doyle, who attended the UN-WATER Summit on Groundwater at UNESCO, remarked that “the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis stands ready to act as a catalyst in developing a platform to enable a pragmatic and scientifically-driven water policy dialogue to materialize, This would, of course, involve the Caribbean States, UNESCO IHP, FAO and other multilateral and bilateral partners.”
 
Secretary General of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Dorothy Warner stated, “The Federation is indeed proud of its legacy in continually raising the awareness level of the challenges Caribbean small islands face in affronting dwindling daily sources of groundwater at such an august UNESCO water conference”.
 
As part of a dedicated ministerial section of the UN-WATER event, Minister Maynard, in a video statement, was joined by other eminent ministers, such as H .E. Steffi Lemke, Federal Minister Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of Germany, H.E. Li Guoying, Minister, Water Resources, Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of China, H.E. Juan Carlos García Pérez de Arce, Minister Public Works of Chile, H.E. Antti Kurvinen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland, H.E. Ms. Abida Sidi Mia, Minister Water and sanitation, Malawi, and H.E. Ms. Wha-Jin Han, Minister, Environment, Republic of Korea.