The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to benefit from its longstanding relationship with the Government of Switzerland, with the latest contribution coming in the form of a financial donation to the Joseph N. France General Hospital. 
 
The Swiss Confederation, through the Honorary Consulate General in St. Kitts and Nevis made a donation of twenty thousand United States dollars (US$20,000) to the island’s main health institution on Thursday, December 8, 2022, during a brief ceremony at the hospital’s conference room.
 
In making the symbolic presentation, Honorary Consul General of Switzerland, Mr. Ernest Amory said, “The Swiss Government has had a longstanding relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis. Over these years, the Swiss Government has offered assistance in various fields such as education and technical assistance. Today, I am here to pass a cheque over to the JN France General Hospital to assist with their needs at this time.”
 
The financial contribution was accepted by the Director of Health Institutions within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jenson Morton, who indicated that the monetary donation will go towards the improvement of surgical services at the hospital.
 
Dr. Morton said, “The funding is much needed and it will be used to help us to improve specifically the surgical services of the hospital, as well as the functioning of the Operating Theatre.”
 
“I would like to thank the Consulate General of Switzerland, as well as Mr. Amory for the handing over of these well appreciated funds and we will ensure that these funds will 100 percent go towards improving the quality of service and the quality of healthcare that is offered at our nation’s hospital,” Dr. Morton added.
 
The presentation of the cheque was witnessed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Delores Stapleton Harris, as well as the executive body of the hospital and key members of the JNF Hospital’s surgical staff.

My fellow citizens, as Minister of Aviation, today we join the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the One Hundred and ninety-three (193) member states including St. Kitts and Nevis to celebrate World Aviation Day 2022.
Today 7^th December 2022, marks the Anniversary of ICAO and the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the ‘Chicago Convention’.
International Civil Aviation Day was established in 1994 as part of ICAO’s 50th-anniversary activities. In 1996, pursuant to an ICAO initiative and with the assistance of the Canadian Government, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized 7^th December as International Civil Aviation Day in the UN system.

The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping States to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

As the UN and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, a pledge for the reduction of pollution that comes with the end goal of a new era in global sustainable development, the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity remains just as relevant. As such, in recognition of ICAO’s 75th anniversary, the council selected the theme “75 Years of Connecting the World” for the 2019 celebrations, which will run through to 2024.

International Civil Aviation Day is a day to enjoy the extraordinary things humans are capable of and to look at the future, as we continue to innovate and bring cultures closer together.

International Civil Aviation Day Theme

Every five years, coinciding with ICAO anniversaries. The ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. Between these anniversary years, Council representatives select a single theme for the full four-year intervening period.

For 2019-2024 inclusive the Council has selected the following theme:

“Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”

The coronavirus disease (covid-19) has literally changed the way business is conducted and given new impetus to our traditional values of consensus, commitment and cooperation.  At the onset of the pandemic, together we all helped to keep the world connected through the ICAO councils Aviation Recovery Taskforce. The task force provides practical and timely guidance to governments and industry for the restarting of the international air transport sector and recovery from the impact of the pandemic in a globally coordinated manner.

At the 41^st ICAO assembly, the Secretary-General has now turned our focus to ‘Reconnecting the world’ to ensure that conditions are in place for the sustainable development of the International Civil Aviation for decades to come.  Covid-19 has taught us that we can change, we can adapt, and we can master ways of working together and with the world around us.

As we move ahead with reconnecting the world, let us remember why.  The main focus is to provide the people of the world with a safe and sustainable air transport system in ensuring effective and sustainable aviation standards.

The Civil Aviation Division of St Kitts and Nevis joins with other member states, agencies, and stakeholders within St. Kitts and Nevis and around the world to highlight and celebrate International Civil Aviation Day worldwide.

Today we celebrate this moment as we honour the men and women across the globe who have served up to the highest level in aviation, and to honour our own citizens who have served with distinction in the development and advancement of Aviation for decades.  I pause to salute and honor just a few who have served in this category. 

1. Mr. Denzil Jones, former Airport Manager at SCASPA/Regulator at the ECCAA, and member of the Air Transport Licensing Board. Mr. Jones was in aviation for over 46 year.
2. Mr. David Blake served 46 years
3. Mr. John Morton – 46 years
4. Mr. Elsworth Warner – 38 years in SCASPA
5. Mr. Robert Bob Warner – 30
6. Mr. Bernard Rawlins (BT) -30
7. Mr. David Hendrickson- 44 years
8. Mr. Conrod Liburd- Alias (Mice)
9. Bambo-
10. Mr. Joseph Taylor- 21 years
11. Ms. Mary Nurse Clarke- 20 and many others

I also make reference

to the No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative, it highlights ICAO’s efforts to assist States in implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The main goal of this work is to help ensure that SARP implementation is better harmonized globally so that All States have access to the significant socio-economic benefits of safe and reliable air transport.

The NCLB effort also promotes ICAO’s efforts to resolve Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) brought to light through ICAO’s safety oversight audits as well as other safety, security and emissions-related objectives.

I urge each of us to join together to see the significance of our aviation industry as we celebrate World Aviation Day 2022.

Notice has been given for a sitting of the National Assembly to be held at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre, from Wednesday, 14^th December 2022, at 10:00 am. The Order Paper and other Papers will be issued later.
 
At this Sitting, the Annual Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals for 2023 will be presented.
 
The Cabinet has approved the 2023 Draft Estimates, the Appropriation (2023) Bill, 2022, and the Appropriation (2023) Act, 2012.
 
Section 71 (3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly pronounces that “When the Minister of Finance has made his or her Budget speech, the motion for the second reading of the Bill shall be seconded, and the debate thereon shall be adjourned to a time to be named by the Minister of Finance.”
 
Additionally, Section 71 (4) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly states that “The debate on the second reading of the Bill shall be confined to the financial and economic state of the State and the general principles of Government policy and administration as indicated in the Bill and the Estimates.”
 
Furthermore, Section 71 (5) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly says, “On conclusion of the debate the Appropriation Bill and the estimates shall stand referred to a Committee of the whole National Assembly to be known as the Committee of Supply.”
 
The Appropriation (2023) Bill, 2022 is A Bill to provide for the services of Saint Christopher and Nevis for the financial year commencing 1^st January 2023 and ending on 31^st December 2023.
 
The National Assembly will be broadcast live on ZIZ Radio (96 FM) and participating radio stations. It can also be viewed live on TV Channel 5 in St. Kitts and Channel 98 in Nevis. It will also be streamed live at www.zizonline.com
 
Copies of the Bills can be found on the website (sknis.kn) of the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service under the Section Bills when they become available.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, along with a delegation, is in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the Eight CARICOM-CUBA Summit, which is taking place at the Llyod Erskine Sandiford Centre today, December 6, 2022.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Naeemah Hazelle, Permanent Secretary (Ag) in the Prime Minister’s Office, Her Excellency Verna Mills, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Ambassador-designate Larry Vaughn, Head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU) and Mr. Samuel Berridge, Senior Assistant Secretary and RIDU Representative.

In accordance with the Havana Declaration of December 2002 which provides for the convening of a CARICOM-Cuba Summit every three years, the Eighth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Republic of Cuba was scheduled to be held on 8 December 2023. However, in keeping with the Joint Declaration adopted by the Seventh CARICOM-Cuba Summit and the proposal by the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Eighth CARICOM-Cuba Summit is being held in Bridgetown, Barbados, on 6^th December 2022.  This year’s Summit commemorates 50 years of the establishment of CARICOM-Cuba diplomatic relations.

The Summit is co-chaired by His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname and Chairman of The Conference of CARICOM Heads of State and Government, and His Excellency Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

Since diplomatic relations were established in 1972 between Cuba and the then four independent Caribbean Countries of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, the bonds of friendship have deepened significantly. Now all independent CARICOM Member States have Embassies in Cuba. CARICOM and Cuba have also established a Joint Commission under which cooperation is pursued in the economic, social, and cultural spheres, and agreements for trade, economic and cultural cooperation are signed. December 8 has been designated CARICOM-Cuba Day and activities celebrating the establishment of CARICOM-Cuba relations are held annually in each Member State and in Cuba.

Some of the items on the agenda for the one-day Summit include opening remarks by Dr. Carla N. Barnett, Secretary-General, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; H.E. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Republic of Cuba and H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

The Programme of Work for the Summit includes an overview of bilateral relations, health, agriculture and food security, climate change and disaster reduction, global issues and multilateral cooperation, and the Adoption of the Joint CARICOM-CUBA Declaration (Bridgetown Declaration).

St. Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba on May 10, 1995. The relationship between the two countries has borne many fruits including scholarship offers to study in Cuba in many fields including medicine and engineering and healthcare assistance. St. Kitts and Nevis continues to make the clarion call for the decades-old US economic Embargo against Cuba to be lifted. The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in St. Kitts and Nevis is headed by H.E. Ambassador David Rivera Perez.

On December 1, the World observed the 34^th World AIDS Day since the United Nations instituted the commemorative day in 1988 to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, to mourn those who have died from an AIDS-related illness, and to provide the opportunity for all of us to join in the fight against the disease.

The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Equalize”, and the WHO (World Health Organization) is calling on global leaders and citizens to boldly recognize and address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS; and equalize access to essential HIV services, particularly for children and key populations and their partners – men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people in prisons.

National HIV/AIDS Coordinator in the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts, Dr. Matthias Ofre, said that the word “equalize” is a call to action for all of us to join in eradicating HIV/AIDS.

“It’s an action word. It calls for action. It calls for the activity of everyone to focus on a better, proper quality fight in eradicating the virus HIV itself. So, it showcases that everybody is important in ensuring the fight against the virus—one person can’t do it; one sector can’t do it, and I feel that it is a holistic approach, a multi-sectoral approach in fighting this virus. This is the only way that we can really overcome it, combat it and be successful,” said Dr. Ofre in an interview with the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service on November 24.

HIV/AIDS Health Educator/Counsellor in the Ministry of Health, Lucine Pemberton-Vaughn said that stigma and discrimination towards persons living with HIV/AIDS and key populations such as the LGBTQ+ community are contradicting what it means to “equalize”.

“HIV/AIDS is everybody’s business because I am of the firm belief that we are all vulnerable to it, even babies are born with HIV…once you are engaging in certain activities you are at risk, even the married and it behooves us to make it our business and do what we can to eradicate it,” Pemberton-Vaughn said.

She said that stigma and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community are posing a problem in society vis-à-vis eradicating the virus.

“These persons tend to be shamed, be blamed, be shunned. We talk about them. We point them out and they are treated differently even at some of our healthcare institutions, so these persons shy away from testing; they are afraid to come forward and admit to their partners about their status. Some even have meds and are afraid to take them lest people realize that they are HIV positive, and you can see what that does, it sends them underground, and it’s underground that they are now able to replicate and transmit…we should be able to accept everybody knowing that we are all equals and that at the heart of stigma and discrimination is the violation of human rights. We are equals; we are free to express ourselves and we have the right to access care and services like anybody else. It behooves us to be a more accepting community,” she said.

Dr. Ofre on the other hand said that equality has to do with two aspects: one, increasing the availability of quality and sustainable services to not just a group of persons but ensuring that everybody is well served, and two, reforming the laws and policies that could fight against inequality and to ensure that everybody is viewed as a person and everybody has the assets and the ability to access healthcare and feel free enough to access healthcare.

“We need to see ourselves as equals in fighting this necessary fight against this unwanted virus that is plaguing the nation and also the world at large,” he said.

As of 2021, 38.4 million people live with HIV—1.7 million of these are children.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health, there are 217 persons living with HIV in St. Kitts and Nevis as of November, 2022.

The Advanced Vocational Education Centre (AVEC) held its graduation ceremony for the class of 2022. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley congratulated the new graduates and spoke to some of the government’s plans for the institution.

“Graduates I say congratulations, you have done it. You are here this evening, your family, friends and AVEC faculty are all here to celebrate your major accomplishments. AVEC in the realization of its motto “Develop a skill, begin a career”, has played an important role in assisting you the graduates to achieve your goals. For many of you, this day marks the start of a career, for others, it marks the attainment of skills which will improve job growth. Whichever the case, I hope it is also a marker in what would be a lifelong pursuit of learning and broadening your knowledge and expanding your life experience…..In my opinion, the more education you gain, the more doors will become open,” said Minister Dr. Hanley.

AVEC continues to provide skills training programmes to students from across the Federation in an effort to advance TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and  Training). Dr. Hanley further impressed upon the graduates that the modern job market has become increasingly competitive and that they will have to continue their pursuit of academic development over the long term.

“I am passionate about the skills and that is extremely important to me. As the Minister of Education I will endeavor to do whatever I can to ensure that skills not only are delivered in AVEC but I should also announce that come September 2023 in education we are jumping out of the box and skills will be introduced in our primary schools,” he said.

AVEC’s annual graduation ceremony saw over 20 students graduate from a number of programmes offered at the institution. A special congratulatory message was given to four prisoners from His Majesty Prison who also graduated from the institution.

 An atmosphere of joy, gratitude and a renewed commitment to serving others and excelling personally permeated the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Ballroom on Wednesday (November 30, 2022) during the Special Sitting of the Federal Parliament to recognize the 25 Most Remarkable Teens.

The teens themselves were beaming with pride as they received accolades and their respective awards from various Members of Parliament. Reflecting on that proud moment, 17-year-old Kahly-el Ward said that his selection as a member of the 2022 class was “truly humbling.” The Scholar-Athlete said that this recognition was not entirely surprising given his success on and off of the basketball court, but he pledges to continue representing the Federation proudly.

Another awardee Maija Lake, 19, believes fiercely in the old adage ‘it is better to give than receive.’ She was recognized for Youth Activism.

“Knowing that I usually give back to my community, it feels really good to be recognized as one of those people who are there for people who don’t have it as much as I do. You should always give back to people because you don’t know what they are going through,” she said

Fourteen-year-old Brianna Paul was awarded in the category of Leadership and Volunteerism. She shared similar sentiments as Maija and encouraged peers to pay it forward whenever possible.

“It’s not a waste of time to help others. Just try your best and know that it’s not about what people see but it’s about what God sees,” she stated.

Malachi Tucker-Gumbs, who was awarded in the category of Performing Arts, was completely ecstatic to receive the prestigious award.

“I feel so overwhelmed. Words can’t express what this means to me. I have to thank God, I have to thank my church and friends and family. I am grateful for this,” the 16-year-old expressed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth Empowerment said that he was amazed at how life-changing the programme has been since it began in 2011.

“I had no idea that this programme would have blossomed into one of the most outstanding youth award ceremonies in the entire Eastern Caribbean,” he said, congratulating the staff at the Department of Youth Empowerment and others for their commitment to engage and grow the nation’s youth.

The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis is in the midst of preparing its very first Voluntary National Review (VNR) with technical assistance from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

On Tuesday 29^th November, key stakeholders convened at a workshop dubbed “VNR Validation and SDG Training” at the CUNA Conference Room.

This workshop ran for two days with Day one focusing on presenting the final Voluntary National Report to key stakeholders showing commitment and maintaining momentum for the ongoing implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also called the 2030 Agenda. This Agenda envisions a secure world, free of poverty and hunger, access to quality education and universal health coverage, and an end to environmental degradation, among others.

On Day two, the dialogue continued with the SDG Workshop which included discussions on several matters of priority including the process related to meeting the 2030 Agenda. Discussions also centered on the potential role of the private sector, civil society and specific interest groups, in terms of partnering with the government on the implementation of private-public sector partnerships for renewable energy, for example.

Minister for Sustainable Development et al, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke introduced the Federation’s VNR Report and emphasized the Ministry’s role. She also highlighted the vision and strategy behind the country’s VNR reporting and SDG implementation, tying this to the Small Island States Agenda. She said this is important to integrate a sustainable framework that involves Civil Society Organisations and the public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, Cosbert Woods, UN Country Coordinating Officer for St Kitts and Nevis gave an overview of the UN’s multi-country Sustainable Development Framework, the UN Country Implementation Plan objectives, and an implementation and monitoring plan.

St Kitts and Nevis intends to present its VNR Report at The UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2023.

From factories in industrialized countries pumping billions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere contributing to global warming with the result of more deadly natural disasters such as hurricanes in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to severe droughts because of inadequate rainfall, the climate crisis is taking a mounting toll on lives and livelihoods around the globe. Who should bear the brunt of the responsibility for this? And why are smaller and lesser developed countries crying out for climate justice?

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Environment and Climate Action, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, strongly believes that the climate crisis is a human rights crisis and that those bigger and richer countries that are the main contributors to the problem should financially help smaller and poorer countries whose contribution to the problem is almost negligible and who suffer from the devastation of deadly disasters because of climate change.

Honourable Clarke is a strong advocate for the Loss and Damage Fund that was established at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP 27) at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, and which was the culmination of decades of pressure from climate-vulnerable developing countries. The fund aims to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change. Although the nitty-gritty of the Loss and Damage Fund is still to be worked out, Dr. Clarke says there is a ray of hope.

With rising sea levels and massive food shortages that threaten to affect hundreds of millions of people, Dr. Clarke is standing up for the most vulnerable. She said that climate change is aggravating existing inequalities and is particularly felt by key populations that are already facing serious human rights infractions such as older people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, and those living in poverty in general.

“Climate responsiveness and the Loss and Damage Fund are ultimately an issue of justice, and a recognition that the most vulnerable amongst us, whether it’s within SKN—the elderly, the disabled, the LGBTQ+ community, the transient population, migrants—these persons suffer the most because of the inherent vulnerabilities, whether it is economic displacement, whether it’s the language barrier and inability to build resilient homes, for example,” she said.

She added: “We always have to recognize the human element in policy decisions like climate change and loss and damage and that’s why ultimately the climate crisis is a matter of humanity and a humanitarian crisis; it’s about people, it’s not just about the politics and money but it’s about how do we survive, how do we ensure that the most vulnerable can live and live decent lives.”

“Should an old woman or a single mother lose a traditional family home because of climate change and should larger, richer countries do nothing about this problem that they have caused for some elderly person who has done nothing really to contribute to climate change?” she asked.

 Five books, written by two authors from Saint Kitts and Nevis, will be on display at the 2022 Taiwan Reading Festival organized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and the National Central Library. The two-day event slated for Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th December, at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park is being held under the theme “Embrace the new world, Open a promising new world.”

The Embassy of Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and Nevis will participate on the first day of the festival (December 3^rd)

H.E Ambassador Donya L. Francis explained that people who visit Saint and Nevis’ booth will enjoy music, performances, arts and crafts, storytelling, and the chance to sit and read the books on display.

Ambassador Francis expressed his joy with Saint Kitts and Nevis’ involvement in the 2022 Taiwan Reading Festival.

 “We [The Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis] are excited to be participating in this year’s Reading Festival in Taipei. We decided to participate because we believe that this event will most definitely assist in our unrelenting efforts to educate Taiwan’s populace more about Saint Kitts and Nevis, which dovetails perfectly with Taiwan’s national policy agenda and ambitions of realizing its 2030 Bilingual Nation goal.”

The five books that will be on display are ‘The Masquerade Dance’ and ‘Adventure at Brimstone Hill’ written by Carol Ottley-Mitchell, and ‘The Final Passage’, ‘A Distant Shore’, and ‘Crossing the River’ written by Caryl Phillips. These books present readers with insights into Saint Kitts and Nevis’ magnificent culture, folklore and history.

The Embassy donated these five books to Taiwan’s National Central Library on June 30^th, 2022.

Ambassador Francis informed of the “… plan to acquire more books that were written by Kittitians and Nevisians and to also donate them to other libraries and learning institutions across Taiwan”.