Black Immigrant Daily News

Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 15, 2022 (SKNIS): Approximately 150 young people from across St. Kitts and Nevis gathered at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Tuesday (November 15) to learn more about government programmes and activities that directly impact them and to give their perspective on ways the government can further tailor its empowerment initiatives to meet the demands of the young generation.

The engagement was facilitated by the Junior Minister responsible for Youth Empowerment, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, who was supported by the staff of the Department. The young people expressed the need for skills development, job training, transfer of knowledge, establishing independence, social building, and youth in decision-making.

 While giving welcome remarks, Senior Youth Officer Sahira Joseph said that the Minister’s Youth Forum has been extremely useful over the years.

“Our young people are wise and they crave innovation, excitement and opportunities, and forums of this nature are a necessity because ultimately they inform our programming at the Department of Youth Empowerment,” she stated. “I urge all of us to recognize this opportunity for what it is … We are here to communicate with each other.”

Mrs. Joseph said that information gathering was key for the department to function effectively as it meets the needs of young people.

Junior Minister Phillip commended the wide mix of young people represented which included high school students, representatives of youth groups, youth entrepreneurs, youth volunteers, members of sports groups, residents of His Majesty’s Prison and others.

The Junior Minister said the recommendations from the young people were captured and will be seriously considered by senior officials at the department.

The young people also had the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, who is Minister of Education and Youth Empowerment as well as the Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister of Sports and the Creative Economy et al.

 The Minister’s Youth Forum was held as part of Youth Month 2022.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 16, 2022 (SKNIS) – As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), St. Kitts and Nevis face the brunt of the effects associated with climate change. Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew on November 15, 2022, called for greater support for SIDS in the fight against climate change.

“In my UN address I spoke about the climate issue and that in the Caribbean, especially small island states, our footprint is very small when it comes to the carbon issue attributed to the increase of global temperature or global warming. And the global warming we know is responsible for a lot of climate issues; we see hurricanes more frequent and stronger in some areas. We see flooding, heat, and droughts and we see the melting of the ice caps and this is really resulting in a lot of loss and damage. The issue is for a while that when it came to being placed on an agenda, various interest groups and countries worked to keep that out of the discussion. But at COP27 it made the agenda. So, we recognize that this is an advancement, however, we still continue the struggle to secure that funding for loss and damage because we are suffering loss and damage all the time because of climate change,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew in his press conference with Cabinet members at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Ballroom.

At the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Dr. Drew called for a resolute recommitment to multilateral cooperation on issues related to climate change. Further, Prime Minister Dr. Drew reiterated that the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index should be used as the standard in accessing the true position of nation-states.

“You might have heard me speak about MVI, the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index, which means that you cannot just judge us on GDP alone to determine if we can have access to concessionary loans which we do not have because we are considered a high-income country.  Yet, we are expected to deal with loss and damage, we are expected to convert our country at least from an infrastructural standpoint into a resilient country. And that is why you would hear me speak all the time about the sustainable island state. That will cost money. Just building a climate-smart hospital is going to cost us near to $100 million U.S Dollars. Climate-smart means that we are building a hospital that would resist the issues that are associated with climate change. So, if we are hit by a heavy hurricane at least we should have a hospital that can stand up and treat our people,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the multidimensional vulnerability index (MVI), seeks to increase eligibility for small island developing states (SIDS) to receive greater financing to address their unique vulnerabilities—namely, their proximity and reliance on the ocean and climate change.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 15 November 2022 – Minister of Environment and Climate Action, The Hon Dr. Joyelle Clarke presented, on Tuesday 15 November, a national statement on behalf of the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, during the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In her address, Minister Clarke highlighted climate action, climate justice, and finance and their impacts on Small Island Developing States, which include loss and damage. 

The Minister told the gathering that St Kitts and Nevis lends to the voice of other Small Island Developing States in their bid to address the impacts of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of the ordinary man. 

She said, “In my country, climatic events disrupt the livelihoods of families whose income depends on tourism and agriculture. In many cases, it is a single mother, a taxi driver, a farmer…The glaring fragility of our small State is magnified. The severity of Loss and Damage is traumatic.”

The Minister also emphasized a call to the robust body of the United Nations to recognize The Republic of China (Taiwan) as an Observer State. 

To strengthen her case, Minister Clarke cited Taiwan’s partnerships with several countries to reduce emissions. Added to that, she said, Taiwan is the world leader in renewable energy practices.

“In St Kitts and Nevis,” she said, “we have embarked on a journey of green possibilities. Our goal is to become a model sustainable island state…our 39-year-old friendship with the ROC (Taiwan) supported our renewable energy efforts. Together, we have produced 2.5 megawatts of renewable energy for our citizens.”

Dr. Clarke determined that as a body, the UN must seek to address climate justice which includes climate finance.

COP 27 continues until 18 November 2022.

NewsAmericasNow.com