The Order Paper has been circulated for a sitting of the National Assembly to be held at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre, on Friday 4^th November, 2022, at 10:00 am. Notice has been given.
 
The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Finance, National Security, Citizenship and Immigration, Health and Social Security, Dr. Terrance Drew, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
 
Additionally, the Honourable Prime Minister will move the second reading of Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
 
Also, The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Education, Youth Empowerment, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities, Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs, Housing and Human Settlement, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time Evangelistic Faith Church Incorporation Bill, 2022.
 
The Honourable Minister Deputy Prime Minister will also move the second reading of Evangelistic Faith Church Incorporation Bill, 2022.
 
Further, the Honourable Minister responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Sports and the Creative Economy, Sports, Culture, Entertainment and Arts, Samal Duggins, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time Small Business Development (Amendment) Bill, 2022.  
 
The Honourable Minister will also move the second reading of Small Business Development (Amendment) Bill, 2022.  
 
The Honourable Senator and Junior Minister responsible for Youth Empowerment, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities, Isalean Phillip, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
 
The Honourable Senator and Junior Minister will also move the second reading of Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
 
The National Assembly will be carried 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 Bills can be found on the website (sknis.kn) of the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service under section: Bills   

The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to receive support from the United Nations in areas such as climate change, financing for development, human resource development, and health and agriculture as they work together for the common good of the people, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Secretary-General Guterres was at the time welcoming St. Kitts and Nevis’ New Permanent Representative to the United Nations Her Excellency Nerys Dockery as she presented her credentials on October 24, 2022.

“I am delighted to receive you and to tell you very clearly that the support to St. Kitts and Nevis and to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is an actual priority for us,” said United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres. “We know the difficulties that you face, the challenges that you face, how much the world economic order is against the needs and interest of the people of the Small Island Developing States mainly in the Caribbean.”

Secretary-General Guterres welcomed Her Excellency Dockery to her new role and expressed a desire to work closely with her.
“I want to tell you that we very much welcome your presence here and we hope that you will allow us to testify to the close relationship with your country and also in the context of CARICOM. It is one of the regional organizations that has a closer cooperation with the UN,” he said.

“So, you are very much welcome. We will work together; we are very happy that the new administration has taken the decisions that you have mentioned that you will do everything to make sure that those commitments and that very strong approach to multilateralism will be successful.”

Her Excellency Dockery congratulated Secretary-General Guterres on his reelection to serve a second term in the said position of the United Nations.

“Thank you for the excellent stewardship that you have provided during your last term and for being such a fierce defender of small island developing states. You have truly been outstanding in the manner in which you have fulfilled the mandate of this august body,” Her Excellency Dockery said.

The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis joins its CARICOM counterparts to observe CARICOM Energy Month which is observed annually in November to increase awareness of energy consumption and to encourage energy-saving actions. This year’s focus is on creating an all-electric future.

Minister of Energy, the Honourable Konris Maynard, reflected on the theme: “Our Future is Electric” noting that it positions the Member States to move away from total dependence on fossil fuels to using more mixes of renewable energy.

“This theme is meant to highlight the need for us to produce 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources and convert all our energy end-use to electricity. In our case, that would mean ending our dependence on fossil fuels such as diesel for power generation. Instead, we will now be looking to power our electric grids from Solar, Wind, Geothermal, and other forms of renewable sources. It will also mean doing all our cooking using electric stoves and using electric vehicles as our means of transport,” said Minister Maynard. 

Minister Maynard said that although “achieving an all-electric future will, no doubt, be challenging,” it will definitely prove beneficial.  He outlined a few requirements needed to achieve an all-electric future.

“First, we will become more dependent on the electricity grid. This will require that the grid be reliable, secure, resilient, and accessible. Second, this will increase the demand on the electricity grid, which will require that we have ample access to renewable energy sources. This will require a substantial amount of financial, human, technical, legislative, and other resources to help us meet our 100 percent Energy Independence Goal by at least 2030,” said the Energy Minister. 

He added that the “journey has started,” and St. Kitts and Nevis has achieved some notable milestones along the way.”

“There is a 2.2 megawatts (MW) wind farm that has been in operation in Nevis since 2001. A 0.75MW solar PV Farm was commissioned at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in 2013 and a 0.5 MW Solar PV Farm in the vicinity of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank round-a-bout in 2016. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank also commissioned 1MW of Solar PV installations between 2020 and 2021.

Added to these are several residual and commercial premises with rooftop solar PV panels,” he said.

Important to note, Minister Maynard said that the “customs service charge and import duties are currently exempted on imported alternative energy equipment.  Additionally, regulations, procedures, and incentives are being drawn up for commercial, industrial, and domestic owners of rooftop Solar PV and Wind Turbines. When fully implemented, these initiatives should encourage persons to install and invest in alternative energy plants.”

Government is pushing forward with its agenda to improve the conditions for differently-abled persons in St. Kitts and Nevis. On Tuesday (November 01, 2022), Junior Minister with responsibility for Disability, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, met with members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities (SKNAPD) and others for a frank and interactive discussion.

The session was held at the McKnight Community Centre and featured presentations from the President and Vice President of the SKNAPD as well as the President of the St. Kitts Society for the Blind. Members of both bodies attended, as well as parents/guardians of persons with a disability.

SKNAPD President Joseph Bergan said that meaningful engagements such as the meeting today are greatly valued as they allow for an honest discussion and an exchange of ideas.

“We are fighting for equal opportunity,” Mr. Bergan stated, noting that the ultimate aim is to have differently-abled persons being self-sufficient and leading independent lives.

During her presentation, Junior Minister Phillip explained that the Government is specifically focused on uplifting vulnerable segments in society including at-risk youth, senior citizens and the differently-abled.

“We recognize the need to pay more attention to and to put more investment into supporting our persons with disabilities/differently-abled. And so, as a new minister, we are trying to build out what this new department, this unit, is going to offer and what we are going to do,” she stated.

“And of course, to be able to figure out what it is we are going to do we have to have conversations with all of you since you are the people we are going to serve,” the Junior Minister added.

Subject areas covered during the discussion included finding a permanent home for the Association; updating legislation to include mandates in the United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities; protecting designated parking spaces for the differently-abled and adjusting other traffic regulations; housing; reducing the stigma towards disability, increasing employment opportunities, and more.

After the meeting, members of the association thanked the Junior Minister and expressed optimism for greater action in addressing the concerns of the differently-abled.

The Junior Minister was supported by Janelle Lewis-Tafari, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development.

The Department of Youth Empowerment has unveiled a packed calendar of activities for Youth Month 2022 in St. Kitts designed to develop, nurture and celebrate the talents, skills and passions of the nation’s young people.
 
Youth Month 2022 is celebrated under the theme “Taking Charge of Our Future: Creative, Focused and Energized.” The theme is fitting, said Junior Minister responsible for Youth Empowerment, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, noting her observations over the past two months.
 
“Our young people are truly focused, energized and already taking charge of our future. Rest assured that this Government stands committed to empower and support our youth as they apply themselves toward achieving a prosperous and resilient future,” the Junior Minister stated.
 
Youth Month is celebrated annually in November, however, activities got off to an early start with a church service at the Pentecostal Church of God on Sunday (October 30, 2022). The Honourable Phillip led the department staff and other youth partners at the service in thanksgiving for God’s mercies and blessings on the Federation’s youth.
 
Activities this week include a Fun Day for Persons Living with Disabilities on November 04, Youth Service Day (volunteerism encouraged by youth groups), and Beach Clean-up on November 05, as well as an Island Bike Ride on November 06.
 
Other notable activities throughout the month include the Minister’s Youth Forum on November 15, SKNYPA Mock Parliament on November 22, High School Chefs Competition on November 23, and the High School Choir Festival on November 29.
 
On November 30, the Federal Parliament convenes for a Special Sitting to celebrate the 25 Most Remarkable Teens Ceremony. Activities conclude on December 01 at the Youth Service Reception and Awards.
 
Junior Minister Phillip said that the Government is committed to ensuring youth voices and perspectives are included at decision-making levels.
 
“As we look ahead towards the future, I envision a St Kitts and Nevis where young people are encouraged and nurtured into leaders who have a strong sense of community and civic responsibility,” Junior Minister Phillip stated. “We ought to direct our attention and efforts to protect our psyches and nurture the skills and competencies that allow every young person to take charge of their lives in healthy and responsible ways.”
 
The full calendar of activities can be accessed from the Department of Youth Empowerment on Cayon Street.

Her Excellency Nerys Dockery, Permanent Representative of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations (UN), recently presented her credentials to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a brief and significant ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York, U.S.A

Permanent Representative Dockery reiterated Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew’s “deep and enduring commitment to the United Nations and to the spirit of multilateralism that it seeks to protect and defend.”

“I pledge to you today Secretary-General that during my tenure, St. Kitts and Nevis will add value to the work of the UN even as you do the same for the people of my great country. I look forward to working with you and to our fruitful engagement over the next few weeks and months,” said Her Excellency Dockery.

She expressed delight in being St. Kitts and Nevis’ youngest and first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

“My presence here signifies a new approach being taken by a new and youthful administration that is eager to add its shoulder to the wheel along with progressive leaders around the world who are impatient for the creation of a more just, inclusive and equitable world. It is an administration which has begun with this ultimate objective in mind, and as such, is proceeding with a great sense of urgency to get things done and deliver tangible benefits that will improve the wellbeing and standard of living of our people,” said Her Excellency Dockery.

Her Excellency Dockery noted that since her arrival in New York, work has begun to “build and expand” St. Kitts and Nevis’ networks at the United Nations. Additionally, she has actively participated and enhanced the Federation’s influence in “collective actions to resolve problems faced by the human family,” as well as re-established and reaffirmed old partnerships and aggressively face new ones with like-minded countries in order to advance our agenda to take our tiny twin-island federation back to number one again.”

Permanent Representative Dockery said that it is St. Kitts and Nevis’ “firm belief that the United Nations provides indispensable global leadership in addressing humanity’s common challenges and endeavour.”

Over 2,000 frontline workers in St. Kitts and Nevis received an honorarium of $2,000 this month (October) in recognition of their sacrifice and sterling service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, said that paying an honorarium to frontline workers was a priority for his Government, which was elected in August 2022.

More than $4 million in payment was paid to qualifying frontline workers within agencies in the Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of National Security, St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, Ministry of Tourism and St. Kitts Tourism Authority, SKNIS and ZBC staff, and the Ministry of Health.

“I would be the first to admit that you can never give enough money to anybody who would have put their life on the line but … this is a gesture to say we value you and we appreciate you,” Prime Minister Drew stated during Thursday’s (October 27, 2022) Sitting of the National Assembly.

During the debate, Member of Parliament for Nevis #11, the Honourable Alexis Jeffers, applauded the Government for its decision.

“Just recently some monies or honorarium were paid to those on the frontline, which is commendable,” he said, adding that the Nevis Island Administration is likely to follow the lead set by the honourable Prime Minister.

During Thursday’s National Assembly Sitting, the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act was repealed, officially rolling back restrictive measures put in place to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Act came into effect in January 2021.

Minister of Foreign Affairs et al. of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, on Thursday, 27th October, 2022 received a high-level delegation from the Republic of Korea. The eight-member delegation, led by Special Envoy and Senior Secretary in the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Sungmin Jang, visited the Federation primarily to discuss support for Korea’s bid to host Expo 2030. The delegation also included Korea’s Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the region, His Excellency Mr. Inho Lee.

During the meeting, which also discussed the exploration of several areas of mutual interest between both countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Douglas emphasized the need to collaborate on establishing more manufacturing industries for Saint Kitts and Nevis as a means of increasing job creation for citizens of the Federation. The Minister also stressed the importance of re-implementing the ‘1-1 laptop programme.’ This improved computer literacy in schools, he stated, would only redound to the benefit of the Information Technology sector of the Federation.

In addition, the Minister discussed the important link between Agriculture and Fisheries in our Small Island Developing State and categorized the fishing industry as a growing sector of our economy that can be further developed via improvements to existing fisheries complexes to diversify the market.

Further, Minister Douglas touted that the island of Nevis has great potential for high-capacity geothermal production. He implored that a geothermal production facility in Saint Kitts and Nevis could potentially push the Federation one step closer to achieving green energy and ultimately a green economy. The visit concluded on 28th October, 2022.

CARICOM Ministers of Environment convened a virtual meeting for the opening of the 105^th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Friday, October 28, 2022.
 
COTED promotes CARICOM’S trade and economic development. It also oversees the operations of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).
 
Minister of Sustainable Development and Environment and outgoing Chairperson of COTED, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke led the Ministerial Caucus that included representatives from Belize, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago.
 
The objective of the Friday morning session was to prepare for two major conferences: the 27^th session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt and the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Canada.
 
The expectation is that the Caribbean region commits to a unified approach at both conferences.
 
Minister Clarke told her colleague ministers that although she has not yet had time to immerse into the regional decision-making process, she looks forward to the continued relationship that will boost the region on a global scale.
 
Dr Clarke said, “I would like to see us as a grouping of Ministers and Countries to come up with practical and home-grown ways of ensuring that we are benefiting from these multilateral processes. I would like to see us make progress on accessing finance, improving efficiency in environmental governance and streaming our messaging and advocacy at the international level.”
 
Representatives from the CARICOM Climate Change Center (5Cs), the Environmental Policy and Planning Division of Trinidad and Tobago (EPPDTT) and the CARICOM Secretariat (CCS) had several discussions including Loss and Damage as a result of climate change, stronger statements on “No Small Island Developing States (SIDS) left behind, improving bilateral relationships and the involvement of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
 
In the interim, Saint Lucia will assume the Chairmanship of COTED.
 
Following the special COTED-CARICOM meeting, members of the regional press engaged the Ministerial Caucus in a virtual CARICOM press conference.
 
The main focus of the press conference was to discuss the position that CARICOM Ministers of Environment plan to take to the upcoming global Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt.