St. Kitts and Nevis was represented at a two-day GCF Policy Makers Workshop, which took place in Saint Lucia from October 19-20, 2022. Ms. Tonisha Weekes, Liaison Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Ms. Jeanelle Kelly, Quarantine Officer at the Department of Agriculture attended the workshop.
 
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is currently implementing its CARICOM AgREADY project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This project aims to strengthen the foundation for a climate-responsive agricultural sector in the Caribbean. The AgREADY project seeks to raise the profile of the agricultural sector in GCF’s climate financing prioritization processes by implementing an evidence-based and inter-sectoral strategy for developing and rebranding Caribbean agriculture as “low-emissions”, to enhance market opportunities and attract private sector investments.
 
The CARICOM AgReady project has completed key deliverables at the national and regional levels and hosted a regional workshop targeted at policy/decision makers from each participating country. This two-day workshop covered key findings from each study, the implications of the results for the regions, the importance of activities and tools the project has helped to develop or apply, and how those tools can help to support decision-making.

An Act to amend the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency Act Cap. 20.26 otherwise known as the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency Bill, 2022, was successfully passed in the Federal Parliament after much debate on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

Mover of the Bill and Minister responsible for Investment, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas described the amendment as simple, but significantly important.

“The Bill, therefore, that is before us is of extreme importance. I have taken time to whet the appetites of my colleagues who will come after me, but also to give guidance to the citizens of our country that the Government is not yet three months old but it is fast at work on their behalf because there is a lot of work to be done especially in the area of investment,” said the Right Honourable Dr. Douglas.

Minister Douglas said that the successful passage of the Bill will create opportunities for job creation.

“We have to create opportunities for investment and that is why I give credit to the Prime Minister, [the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew] for selecting this piece of legislation to be the first to be debated in our Parliament because it is all about job creation, getting our people working,” said Dr. Douglas. “Remove the people from STEP dependence, remove the people from the gang dependency and put them to work and this is going to facilitate…this piece of legislation is going to go a long way in ensuring that those policies which we spoke about during the campaign, that they come to fruition. This piece of legislation is critical. It is a very simple piece of legislation that is short but critically important.”

The Bill was supported by members on both sides of the aisle.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis outlined its socio-economic agenda designed to substantially transform the Federation over the next five (5) years.

This was highlighted in the Throne Speech delivered by the Governor-General’s Deputy Her Excellency Marcella A. Liburd, JP during the opening of the new session of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis since the August 5^th General Elections. The new session was held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Royal Ballroom on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

“For the next five (5) years, our government will focus on transforming our economy into one that is diversified and resilient. Our government will explore and seize the opportunities that are available from the development of the digital, green, blue and orange economies. Emphasis will be placed on building a society with more equity, fostering love and harmony amongst all our people and maintaining peace, justice and liberty for all,” said Her Excellency Liburd. “Policies will be developed using different modalities to encourage strong citizen engagement and to build a culture of consultation with the people on all important issues of social and economic development here in St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Her Excellency Liburd said that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is pursuing its vision that provides opportunities for all to achieve.

“For far too long, issues of inequality and inequity have been allowed to persist without adequately tackling the root causes of the imbalances in our society. A core element of the vision of this Labour Government is to create a society with more equity and balance,” she said.  “We intend to make serious inroads into the reduction of poverty across the Federation. Education will be used to lift families from the clutches of poverty, and jobs will be created to provide meaningful employment for all persons desiring to work, particularly the youth who, at this time, find it the most challenging to find decent work. The policies of our Government will reflect the needs of the various groups that make up our society. No one will be left behind.”

She noted that the Government intends to create programmes to further stimulate the economy.

“We know that our people are not interested in handouts or charity. They want jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that would allow them to live with dignity and pride. That is why we are strongly committed to the implementation of programmes that will stimulate economic activity, facilitate the establishment and growth of business enterprises and create jobs in abundance for our workers,” said Her Excellency Liburd. “Not just any job, but jobs with remuneration well above the new increased minimum wage that we intend to put in place after due consultation with our workers and employers. We will also intervene through appropriate policies and regulations to keep the cost of living within the reach of our people.”

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis through the Ministries of Environment, Energy and Climate Action has brought down the curtains on four days of engagements with regional and local stakeholders.

The talks began on Sunday 23^rd October with Minister of Environment and Climate Action, The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke and Minister of Energy and Utilities, the Hon. Konris Maynard and their Permanent Secretaries, Sharon Rattan and Daryll Lloyd, who met with representatives from the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the St Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC) and Nevis Electricity Company Ltd (NEVLEC) to propose the way forward to manage a resilient energy sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Minister Clarke said the partnership between the Ministries of Energy and Environment will concretize the approach to renewable energy, and energy security, in addition to energy for the most vulnerable.

“Importantly, we are forging a new decisive and committed partnership between St Kitts and Nevis as we develop this national resource,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Utilities, The Hon. Konris Maynard said the proposals would provide decision-support to the Cabinet as it seeks to determine the appropriate energy pathway and renewable energy-mix which includes, solar, wind and geothermal, for the Federation.

Minister Maynard continued, “We are also pleased to discuss with NEVLEC the interconnection of the Electricity Grid in St. Kitts and the Electricity Grid in Nevis as an interconnection affords the Federation the opportunity to have One Grid thereby increasing the resilience of power supply across the two islands. This would mean that as St. Kitts expands its power-generation capacity, driven by renewable energy sources, Nevis can benefit. Similarly, as Nevis’ power supply expands to include renewable energy, St. Kitts can benefit.”

Following that meeting, the Cabinet of Ministers met with a delegation from the CDB thereby demonstrating its seriousness about aggressively pursuing energy and geothermal alternatives on both islands.

The representatives from the CDB then journeyed to Nevis to further their discussions with NEVLEC.

Closing out four days of engagements, SKELEC hosted an Energy Stakeholders National Consultation on Wednesday 26^th October.

At this consultation, critical issues were raised by numerous regional and local stakeholders including engineers, financiers, environmentalists, and climate activists on creating the path for energy security.

Coming out of the discussions, it was determined that an Energy Task Force, among other things, will be established. This Task Force will ensure that the necessary support structures for the renewable energy project are in place.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, Sharon Rattan and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Daryll Lloyd, will spearhead the newly created Energy Task Force.

Employees across the various departments ofThe Ministry of Sustainable Development have been newly empowered to carry out their day-to-day mandate during an all-day Employee Retreat.

The theme for the event was “Catching the vision of transformation for the Ministry of Sustainable Development.”

The Ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary, Sherilita “Shez” Dore-Tyson said the purpose of the retreat was for the employees to come together and refocus in an effort to regain the public’s confidence as it aims to re-establish the standards and transform the Ministry to become what it was intended to be.

She reminded the employees that the Ministry was needed to specifically focus on guiding the government on developing the economy, resources, and the environment.

PS Dore-Tyson said, “Our Ministry has a very crucial responsibility, and that is to ensure that our country’s development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This means, therefore, that all of us are individually and collectively responsible to ensure that 10, 30, 50 years from now our children can live in a St. Kitts and Nevis that is socially safe, in an economy that is booming and filled with opportunities, and an environment where our air is clean, our communities are laid out properly, and our lands are used correctly.”

Sessions throughout the day were designed to re-educate the employees about their responsibilities, privileges and roles as civil servants. Additionally, more intrapersonal skills were explored through sessions on effective teamwork and networking.

Meanwhile, Minister of Sustainable Development, The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke boosted the spirit of the gathering when she mentioned that the Cabinet of Ministers will deliberate on rendering long-service awards and promote employees based on their technical skills and experience, notwithstanding their not being degree-holders.

The Ministry of Sustainable Development is made up of six departments including, Lands and Surveys, Physical Planning, Statistics, Urban Planning, and Economic Affairs and Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has partnered with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to provide technical support to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, as well as the Ministry of Energy, to allow their delegation to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference commonly referred to as COP27.

His Excellency Ambassador Michael Lin, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, met with Ministers, the Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke and The Hon. Konris Maynard on Wednesday 26^th October, 2022 to make the presentation. He wished the delegation much success and anticipates meeting the Team upon their return.

In response, Minister Maynard expressed satisfaction and requested that Ambassador Lin conveys to his government, the appreciation and the interest in continuing to unite efforts between both countries so as to further the relations of cooperation.

This is the largest delegation to ever attend a UN Climate Change Conference. The delegation includes Ministers Clarke and Maynard and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Sharon Rattan; From the Department of Environment, Cheryl Jeffers, Conservation Officer; Derionne Edmeade, Environmental Education Officer and Nydia Taylor, Finance Officer; From Nevis, there are Sebastian Manners, Physical Planning Officer and Cordiesere Walters, Youth Development Officer.

COP27 will be hosted in Egypt from November 6-18, 2022.

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is in the process of redesigning and upgrading the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis official website, www.gov.kn

The official changes will take effect from Tuesday 1^st November, 2022, and is promised to give a cleaner, modern and professional design with easier navigation and access to government information. The critical government services will be highlighted and be easily accessible via the new redesign.