Strengthening St. Kitts and Nevis’ policy framework on climate change is a key priority that the Government is moving ahead with.

The Governor General’s Deputy, Her Excellency Marcella Liburd JP, while delivering the Throne Speech at the Opening of the new Session of Parliament on October 25, said that the Government is “determined to demonstrate strong leadership” in tackling climate change.

“We commit to enhancing the policy framework for our country’s adaptation to climate change.  We will work with our people, other small island states in the region and beyond, and bilateral, regional and international partners to strengthen our resilience to environmental and climate change by tailoring more robust risk-mitigating responses and improving access to climate financing,” said Her Excellency Liburd. “We now have a better institutional arrangement for advancing our climate change agenda with the establishment of a new portfolio for Environment and Climate Action.  We will ensure that environmental and climate change considerations are mainstreamed in development planning.”

Her Excellency Liburd stated that everyone must work together to protect St. Kitts and Nevis as it is important for our “sustenance today and for future generations of Kittitians and Nevisians.”

“Beyond what has already been established, our Labour Government will focus on preserving our environment because it is central to our objective of creating a sustainable island state.  Success on this front means that we will also find success in building a green economy with new green jobs, better access to clean potable water, clean and renewable energy, and a better standard of living for all of our people,” said the Governor’s-General Deputy.  “We invite the Private Sector to partner with the Government to move forward with our vision for the development of a green economy. There are opportunities for the development of recycling plants, the manufacturing of solar panels, investment in alternative energy sources and arresting the growing problem of water shortages. Our Government is committed to fixing the water problems with the expansion of water wells through a dedicated drilling programme.” she added.

She added that the government will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to decrease the Federation’s dependence on carbon fuels and reduce hazardous pollution.

“To reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, we will work with the Nevis Island Administration in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank and other partners to capitalize on the opportunity to develop geothermal energy for the benefit of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Her Excellency Liburd.  “This is an important project which can be a catalyst in our endeavour to create a sustainable, reliable energy sector bringing us closer to being a net-zero emission country. Further, we will introduce policies to further incentivize the use of alternative energy including the installation of solar panels in homes and businesses, and pave the way for the introduction of electronic vehicles as a viable means of transport within the Federation.”

St. Kitts and Nevis’ thrust to tackle climate change falls in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 13 which speaks to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

During the October 25, 2022 opening of the New Session of Parliament at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Royal Ballroom in Frigate Bay, the Governor General’s Deputy Her Excellency Ms. Marcella Liburd addressed a number of initiatives that the Government has planned to improve the access and delivery of education across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, including the building of a brand new Basseterre High School and tuition-free tertiary education at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC). She said that the education of the Nation’s youth is key to building human capital and making St. Kitts and Nevis a sustainable island state. 

“Our Government constantly hears the cries of the young men and women who take the bold steps to embark on tertiary level education to better themselves and to make their contribution to the building of their Nation, but who are often stuck with burdensome student loans. There is a better way to assist our young people to pursue higher education.  Our Government has already moved forward to provide free tuition for all students attending CFBC. This new policy offers great financial relief to many families throughout the Federation and enables our students to concentrate on their studies rather than worrying about the ability of their families to pay the required tuition fees. We will also be exploring the possibilities of the CFBC becoming a full University. In that way, more of our citizens and residents can obtain first degrees right here in our Federation without the huge costs involved,” said the Governor General’s Deputy.

The CFBC is mandated to consolidate and augment the opportunities for tertiary-level education in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. With tuition now being free, persons at the institution can now have access to a wide range of courses to improve their professional development.

The construction of the new Basseterre High School has been a topic of importance for some time now, and plans are already in motion to begin construction work on the existing premises shortly.

“Our Government understands that education is a prerequisite for building our human capital and by extension a sustainable island state. What we do not understand is the travesty that occurred with respect to Basseterre High School at the expense of thousands of our young people who have been deprived of a wholesome school environment over the last seven (7) years.  Our Labour Government will not play games with the future of our children.  In short order, we will start to build a brand-new Basseterre High School on its original historical site.  We will also embark on a comprehensive plan for the upgrade of the physical infrastructure of all public schools and introduce proper plans for the maintenance of schools across the Federation,” said Her Excellency Liburd.

The Governor General’s Deputy also stated that the development of young people is critical to nation-building, ensuring the prosperity of the Federation and fostering the conditions that will allow the nation to achieve its goal of becoming a model sustainable island state.

The Cabinet Ministers met under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, on Monday 24^th October 2022 and made several significant decisions to improve the well-being of our people.

1. In its ongoing thrust to ensure reliable and sustainable energy supplies the nation, the Cabinet of Ministers held discussions with representatives of the Nevis Electricity Company (NEVLEC) and the St. Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC) regarding the geothermal project on Nevis. Priority will be placed on interconnection of the St. Kitts and Nevis power grids which will allow for greater flexibility as the demand profile changes and generation capacity expands. The joint grouping hopes to secure a drilling contractor by the end of the year with the hopes of commencing drilling in the first half of 2023. Members of the Caribbean Development Bank and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency were also in attendance.

1. The Cabinet was presented with the first drafts of the Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill and new Anti-Corruption Bill by the Honourable Attorney-General Garth Wilkin. The Bills were approved for circulation to civil society organizations for their input before being returned to Cabinet for final approval. The Bills represent the first phase of swift operationalization of the Government’s anti-corruption/good governance structures, by giving the Integrity Commission the necessary legislative support and creating the Office of the Special Prosecutor to receive complaints, investigate, and prosecute acts of corruption throughout the Public Service and within Statutory Corporations. The Anti-Corruption Bill specifically creates criminal offences of corruption, seeks to protect whistle-blowers, and gives the Special Prosecutor powers to not only prosecute offenders (subject to the Director of Public Prosecution’s constitutional powers) but to seek recovery of proceeds of corrupt activities.

1. The Cabinet approved the amended Architects Registration (Amendment) Bill which was crafted after consultation with the St Kitts-Nevis Institute of Architects. The Bill seeks to finally operationalize the legislation, initially passed in 2010, to regulate the practice of architecture. The approved Bill also provides a pathway for persons practicing as architects for many years, without formal certificates, to qualify for registration as Architects.

1. The Cabinet of Ministers continues discussions on the National Health Insurance preliminary report with the aim of making it a reality for the Citizens of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. A comprehensive document was presented by the Minister responsible, The Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, outlining the work done and action plan to date.

The presentation included the National Commission on Universal Health Care Plan of Action, financing options for the Introduction of the National Health Care to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the draft Legislation of the National Health Insurance Act.

This signals the government’s intention to fulfill its pledge to provide affordable health insurance and high-level healthcare services to the Federation. Further updates will be provided to the public as the process continues.

At the Opening of the New Session of Parliament, which was held on October 25, 2022, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Royal Ballroom, Her Excellency the Governor General’s Deputy Ms. Marcella Liburd, who delivered the Throne Speech in the absence of Governor-General Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, outlined how the Government will revamp and strengthen the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) and the Alternative Pathways Lifestyle Programme (APLP) colloquially known as the ‘Peace Programme’.
 
“We will pay close attention to rationalizing our social protection programmes and reprioritizing them to support our people who need these interventions the most. Our Government will enhance the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) to serve as a social safety net to truly empower the most vulnerable and improve their standard of living, thereby eradicating indigence and significantly reducing poverty across the Federation.  We have shared our view that there is a better way for the efficient and effective operation of the PAP.  We have successfully transferred the Programme to the Ministry of Social Development, the most suitable Government institution to oversee the social safety net system. We are also well advanced with the roll out of the re-registration process.  This has become necessary as there is ample evidence that no credible standards were used during the initial registration process to determine eligibility of beneficiaries for the programme,” said the Governor General’s Deputy.
 
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has made poverty alleviation a key priority of its governance agenda by economic diversification and job creation with the goal of raising the standard of living of every household across the Federation.
 
“When we look at the Alternative Lifestyle Pathway Programme, better known as the “PEACE Programme” and the way it has operated since its introduction, our Government believes that most citizens would agree that there is a better way for empowering our at-risk young men and women. Our Government will improve the PEACE Programme by making skills training an integral component for the participation of each beneficiary. Young men and women enrolled in the PEACE initiative would be given the opportunity to learn a marketable skill and will be provided with support to either acquire gainful employment or opportunities to start their own businesses. Participants in this Programme will also have a pathway for development and graduation. It is envisaged that the Programme’s graduates would become more positive and productive citizens and contribute to the overall development of the Federation,” said Her Excellency Liburd.
 
 During the opening of the New Session of Parliament, elected constituency representatives took the Oaths or Affirmation of Allegiance as Members of Parliament before the newly elected Speaker of Parliament Honourable Ms. Lanein Blanchette. The next meeting of the National Assembly is scheduled for Thursday October 27, 2022.

Ahead of this year’s pivotal climate change talks, to take place in Egypt at COP27, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has engaged in a milestone national Pre-COP Consultation. The workshop, entitled “Prelude to COP27: How Trinidad and Tobago Can Lead the Region In Raising Resiliency” took place on Wednesday 26^th October and was led by the Honourable Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Planning and Development.

The workshop was presented by the Ministry of Planning and Development in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Climate Analytics Caribbean, and was attended by government officials and representatives of civil society, environmental institutions, and private enterprise.

COP27 will bring leaders from 197 nations and territories together in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt from November 6^th – 18^th to meet as the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The decisions and agreements made there will determine the way forward for the world on critical issues related to combating climate change and limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C.

As a small island developing State, Trinidad and Tobago is considered a country that is among the world’s most vulnerable to severe climate change impacts. Of particular concern for this country at COP27 will be the role of just transition in implementing decisions, mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, and loss and damage.

“For Trinidad and Tobago, the decisions to be taken at this COP must help us to further our own national implementation efforts to tackle the climate crisis,” said the Honorable Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Planning and Development. “We are advancing our national efforts with targeted adaptation interventions as well as initiatives such as increasing fines for illegal timbering and oil pollution. These are complemented by incentives for renewable energy expansion and the construction of the 112-megawatt solar photovoltaic system which is set to begin next year. We are also in the process of finalizing a just transition policy that will ensure that Trinidad and Tobago can benefit fully from the inevitable global energy transition whilst ensuring that none of our citizens are left behind.”

“Our discussions today will put us in good stead to ensure that the national delegation to the Conference can secure tangible benefits to Trinidad and Tobago in line with national priorities,” she added.

Topics discussed at the consultation included:

• Current climate science and its impacts on Trinidad and Tobago
• Introduction to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and an overview of COP26 outcomes (Glasgow Pact) and current state of play
• Issues to be discussed at COP 27 and expected outcomes, including arising from the Glasgow Pact
• Implementing Trinidad and Tobago’s Climate Change Agenda: The role of the Just Transition Policy

Ms. Rueanna Haynes, Director of Climate Analytics Caribbean, which has been assisting the Ministry of Planning and Development with the drafting of the Just Transition Plan, noted the importance of accelerating Just Transition to safeguard societal welfare and achieve climate goals.  

“This national consultation has been imperative to creating an informative platform to bring the critical climate issues affecting us as a small island developing State to the fore,” Haynes added.“We look forward to taking these issues to the global community at COP27 and working to achieve decisions that redound to the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago and our vulnerable region.”

The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew-led administration remains steadfast in its pledge to eliminate corruption from the Public Sector with the implementation of its Anti-Corruption/Good Governance programme.
 
This position was taken by Prime Minister Dr. Drew and Attorney General the Honourable Garth Wilkin on a number of occasions and was again highlighted by the Governor General’s Deputy, Her Excellency Marcella A. Liburd JP as she delivered the Throne Speech at the opening of the new Parliamentary Session on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
 
As part of its Anti-Corruption/Good Governance programme, the Government intends to amend the relevant legislation that will finally give the Integrity Commission the teeth needed to address corruption by public officials in St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
“Our people can be assured that this Labour Government is committed to eliminating corruption within the Public Sector. Our Government is therefore prepared to take decisive action to tackle the outstanding issues related to integrity in public life, enhancing the State apparatus for anti-corruption, strengthening the Public Accounts Committee, enhancing the public procurement regime and addressing the issues related to the freedom of information.  To this end, our Government has initiated the necessary steps for the full activation of the Integrity in Public Life Act and the work of the Integrity Commission,” said Her Excellency Liburd.
 
“Our Government fully recognizes that transparency, accountability and good governance are critical to maintaining public trust and confidence. We will actively seek opportunities to strengthen and build bonds of trust with the citizenry and to be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. We expect you to hold us accountable and we will hold others to account,” Her Excellency Liburd said.
 
The Governor General’s Deputy concluded the Throne Speech by stating, “To build the better country that we envision, it is of utmost importance that we have the right framework to ensure that our democracy is strengthened to uphold the principles of equality.”

Tourism is considered one of the fastest-growing economic sectors regionally and globally. As such, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has committed to building a more vibrant and resilient tourism industry as it is a critical pathway for the Federation to build better going forward and to recover faster from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This was according to the Governor-General’s Deputy Her Excellency Marcella A. Liburd, JP during her Throne Speech at the Opening of the New Session of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis since the August 5^th General Elections. The parliamentary sitting was held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Royal Ballroom on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

“Our new Labour Government is proposing a better way for the expansion of our tourism sector which continues to be one of the critical pillars of development here in the Federation,” said Her Excellency Liburd. “Over the recent past, our tourism industry has shown a lacklustre performance with no major gains in brand recognition or development of the tourism product.  At this time, we want to reassure our citizens that our Government is working assiduously to turn things around.  We are determined to put our tourism sector back on track to contribute more to our national development…

Over the next five years, we will attract at least two new five-star hotels building on the foundation that has already been established with the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis and the Park Hyatt Resort in St. Kitts.  Our Government has put in place a team that will work hard to ensure that an increasing number of visitors will choose St. Kitts and Nevis as a preferred destination.  Our Government, therefore, intends to work with the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) to improve the marketing of our twin island Federation as the premier destination in the Caribbean,” Her Excellency Liburd added.

Her Excellency Liburd said that the government’s “proposal for the expansion of the tourism plant holds great potential to assist in multiple ways to diversify the economy and achieve its development objectives.”

“The addition of Medical Tourism, Sport Tourism, and entertainment related Tourism will flow from robust and ongoing efforts to establish the Federation as a global center for movie and music production and the creative arts in general. The construction of new hotels and other tourism-related infrastructure will provide employment opportunities and facilitate skills transfer in new construction techniques to our local tradesmen and tradeswomen,” said Her Excellency Liburd.

She noted that during the rebuilding phase numerous permanent jobs will be created. 

“As we saw in the past, with the build-out of the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis and the Marriott and Park Hyatt Resort in St. Kitts, some of our citizens have been given opportunities to master their craft internationally. We will therefore pursue policies that encourage the promotion of our people working in the tourism industry,” said the Governor-General’s Deputy. “We want to see many more of our citizens being offered the opportunity to work regionally and internationally as top executives in their field of choice. Emphasis will also be placed on training our people to take up the opportunities for work in the industry as employees of the new enterprises that would come on stream or as entrepreneurs managing and growing their own businesses.”

Plans are being made to address the decline in activity within the manufacturing sector across St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
The Governor General’s Deputy, Her Excellency Marcella Liburd JP, while delivering the Throne Speech at the Opening of the new Session of Parliament today (October 25), stated that the Government, through the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency, will be aggressively pursuing opportunities to attract investments in modern technologies such as renewable energy.
 
“We will seek to establish at least one factory in the Federation to build solar panels and related accessories that will provide low-cost energy-saving options for homeowners and businesses,” Her Excellency Marcella Liburd said.
 
The Government anticipates that the establishment of a factory here that builds solar panels will help preserve the manufacturing sector’s ability to earn foreign exchange which is necessary for maintaining monetary stability within our Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
 
It was noted that St. Kitts and Nevis has seen a decline in activity within the manufacturing sector and a significant reduction in the number of persons employed by manufacturing enterprises over the last few years.
 
The Throne Speech read, “Since March 2019, we have witnessed the closure of three factories with a fourth to close this coming November. At least four hundred persons, mainly women, would have lost their jobs in the process. The Sector is therefore in desperate need of an updated strategy to chart the way forward for attracting new investments.”