One dead, another wounded in Maloney shooting

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Stock photo

A 25-year-old Maloney man was shot dead and another wounded in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said Anthony Browne was liming outside Building Six, Maloney, at around 4.45 pm, when three men got out of a silver car and shot him.

Browne ran away but collapsed nearby.

The men also shot another man, who was walking towards his own car, as they drove off. Passers-by saw the shooting and took the wounded man to hospital, where he is in critical condition.

Police from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region II and a district medical officer visited the area and declared Browne dead.

Crime scene investigators found six spent shells.

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Elections COI interested in “the truth” – Chair aims to submit report in March 2023

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
The Elections COI begins today

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the events that followed the March 2, 2022 General and Regional Elections officially begins today, with Chairman Stanley John declaring that the exercise is only interested in uncovering “the truth”.

“This inquiry has no case to prove. It is interested in the truth and in fair conclusions based on the evidence properly analyzed,” he posited.

“This is an inquiry to find out what in fact occurred, why it occurred, who, if anyone, is responsible, and what can be done to prevent a reoccurrence,” he added.

The COI Chairman accepted that the responsibilities before him and his fellow Commissioners  are “serious and heavy” and committed to executing their duties with the utmost professionalism.

“It is a responsibility that I, and my fellow Commissioners intend to discharge carefully, with professionalism, efficiency, thoroughness, fairness, objectivity and impartiality.”

Among its Terms of Reference (ToR), the COI Chair disclosed that the undertaking is intended to inquire into and report upon the relevant circumstances and events leading up to and the procedures following the March 2, 2020 elections regarding the counting, ascertaining and tabulation of votes polled and the public declaration of those results by Returning Officer of Region Four and other election officers.

It is also mandated to determine what attempts, if any, were made to obstruct, frustrate, subvert and prevent the counting ascertainment and tabulation of votes as well as what attempts, if any, were made to obstruct, subvert and prevent a decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on March 14, 2020 to conduct a national recount of the votes polled.

The COI is also expected to investigate the conduct of the Chief Election Officer and other election officers and others in respect of the discharge and execution of their statutory duties and finally, to make recommendations as to permit GECOM to discharge its statutory functions.

Public hearings will begin tomorrow at 95 Middle Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

It is the hope of the Commissioners to complete public hearings by the end January 2023 and to have its report completed and handed over to President Dr Irfaan Ali by the end March 2023.

John is a retired Justice of Appeal of Turks and Caicos. The other Commissioners are former acting Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, Godfrey P Smith, and former acting Chancellor of Guyana’s Judiciary, Carl Singh.

They will be assisted by former Chief Elections Commissioner of India, Dr Nasim Zaidi, and former Chairman of the Ghana Elections Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, who will serve as resource personnel to the COI.

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No ‘oil refinery’ commitments were made to DEPCO – Govt

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

See full statement from the Guyana Government:

The Government of Guyana has noted a press release purportedly issued by Delta Energy and Petroleum Company (DEPCO) reported in the Guyana Chronicle News […] November 02, 2022 headlined “10,000 jobs lined up as funds secured for Berbice-based oil refineries”.

The Government of Guyana wishes to make it clear that it has had no discussion with DEPCO, and no permissions or commitments have been given by the Government to the said company in relation to the development of oil refineries.

Furthermore, it is worthwhile to note that having received several unsolicited proposals, the Government of Guyana on October 15, 2022, invited proposals for interested Parties for the design, finance, and construction of a 30,000 barrel per day, (b/d) oil refinery to be built in the vicinity of Crab Island in Berbice. As indicated in the Request for Proposal (RFP), in order to be considered all interested parties must respond to this RFP.

The response to this RFP will be used to determine a capable partner that will be selected to work with the Government to complete the project based on (i) the timeframes stipulated, (ii) evidence of financial and technical ability and (iii) response to other requirements of this RFP.

Responses to this RFP must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by December 13, 2022 (closing deadline).

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Pierre Underscores Need For Vibrant Local Business Sector – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has explained that for the Saint Lucia economy to grow and prosper, it must have its roots in a vibrant local business sector.

He spoke Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show.

Physically or virtually, the show features Saint Lucian and Taiwanese companies displaying various goods and services.

Pierre said Saint Lucia welcomes foreign investment, which has immense prospects.

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“You can see for yourself that foreign investment has returned to Saint Lucia in the hotel sector,” he observed to applause from his audience.

But he explained that foreign investors do not represent the cure for all of Saint Lucia’s economic problems.

“This is our economy – this is our country, and we must resolve to be the masters of our economy so that we can push its advancement for the good of all the people,” the Prime Minister noted.

Pierre is also responsible for Finance, Economic Development, and the Youth Economy.

He said his aim and that of his administration is to provide the framework to allow Saint Lucians to create wealth in their own country.

In this regard, the Prime Minister disclosed that his administration has committed to providing grants and soft loan funding for micro, small and medium-sized businesses through the Saint Lucia Development Bank and the Department of Commerce.

Pierre said the initiative would start this year and continue for four to five years.

He also observed that similar support would be available for the Youth Economy.

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France’s Influence On The Casino World, Including The Caribbean

Black Immigrant Daily News

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Nov. 3, 2022: Travel to many places in the world and you are sure to find the influence of France. These include the islands of the Caribbean like Guadeloupe, Martinique and St Barthélemy, territories of France.

One of the most notable marks of France on these countries is undoubtedly the world of the casinos. Although there is considerable debate as to whether it was in fact Italy where the first casino opened in the 17th century, it’s undeniable that within a few years the focus moved to France.

Seeing the opportunity to raise valuable taxes for the state, the Secretary General of the time, Cardinal Mazarin was very liberal in the granting of licenses to new casinos. This led to a huge number opening across the nation in a relatively short period of time

This explosion of casino culture was also very much driven by the creation of a number of games that are still firm favourites today all over the world. Perhaps the most notable of these is that perennial and quintessential casino game, roulette. Allegedly invented as a result of experiments by the mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal to invent a perpetual motion machine, the roulette wheel proved to be an intriguing and enticing way to wager.

USA, Nevada, Las Vegas

Of course, roulette isn’t the only casino game to have its origins in France. One only has to look at the most popular card game blackjack to see that this was another example. It was originally called “vingt et un,” referring to the ideal score of twenty-one that all players want to achieve. In fact, it was only renamed blackjack by US casinos who wanted to add the extra rule that anyone scoring this with the ace of spades and jack of spades or clubs would win ten times their stake.

The French influence is also there for all to see in the language that is often used around casino games, not simply the names themselves. So, we have “faites vos jeux” as an invitation to bet and “rien ne va plus” when the cut-off point is reached. There are also expressions like “la partage” and “en prison” used when the ball lands on the zero in roulette.

With such a rich heritage it’s little surprise that casinos continue to be very popular in places where the French identity is strong. Their timeless appeal has even carried on to the internet age where, for example, BonusFinder is a great source for online casinos in Quebec. Many of these operate in the French language and all offer very generous welcome bonuses for new players.

Within the French West Indies, Sint Maarten is also home to many traditional casinos with the prestigious resort of Simpson Bay being a particular hotspot.

So, the influence continues – and while Las Vegas be the biggest and brashest of manifestations of the casino world – it’s the Francophone one that is the most long-standing.

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49.3: un gouvernement “maître de la loi” faute de compromis trouvés, selon une experte

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Le recours à répétition à l’arme constitutionnelle du 49.3 “s’impose”, faute de majorité absolue, mais le gouvernement tend à se faire “maître de la loi”, relève auprès de l’AFP la constitutionnaliste Lauréline Fontaine, qui s’interroge…

Le recours à répétition à l’arme constitutionnelle du 49.3 “s’impose”, faute de majorité absolue, mais le gouvernement tend à se faire “maître de la loi”, relève auprès de l’AFP la constitutionnaliste Lauréline Fontaine, qui s’interroge sur la volonté de chacun de “compromis véritables”.

Question – Un nouveau 49.3, le quatrième en deux semaines, a été dégainé mercredi pour faire adopter le projet de budget de l’Etat sans vote. La pratique d’Elisabeth Borne est-elle inédite?

Réponse – “Presque tous les Premiers ministres ont eu à utiliser le 49.3, et spécialement Raymond Barre, Michel Rocard et Edith Cresson qui étaient en situation de majorité relative. Cet outil n’a été déclenché qu’une seule fois sous le précédent quinquennat car la majorité était solide. Il s’agissait alors (en février 2020) de faire passer le projet de réforme des retraites face à l’obstruction. Désormais nous sommes dans une nouvelle configuration politique et le 49.3 s’impose de lui-même, en vertu de la Ve République. C’est presque une obligation de l’utiliser si le gouvernement veut avancer.

En apparence, la méthode utilisée par Elisabeth Borne est un peu moins brutale car il y a eu du débat avec les députés, et des arrangements ont été trouvés. Mais les raisons invoquées mercredi par la Première ministre – un texte +profondément dénaturé+ par les votes de l’Assemblée – sont étonnantes, dans la négation du travail parlementaire. Bien sûr c’est son droit de choisir le texte et les amendements sur lesquels elle engage sa responsabilité, toutefois c’est un discours qui fait apparaître comme légitime que le gouvernement soit maître de la loi.”

Q – Est-ce que l’exécutif affaiblit le Parlement, à rebours de ses intentions affichées?

R – “Dès 2017, Emmanuel Macron dans son programme pour la présidentielle souhaitait que la procédure accélérée pour les textes de loi devant le Parlement devienne la norme. Comme si la délibération n’était pas fondamentale, alors qu’elle est censée être la source de meilleures lois. Et sous le dernier quinquennat, nous avons atteint le summum d’une majorité absente: le travail était parfois pathétique et les débats indigents, ce n’était pas du tout une Assemblée qui avait envie de faire son travail. J’attribue cela à un manque de culture politique forte. Les députés disposent pourtant d’outils vis-à-vis du gouvernement.

Avec ces 49.3, c’est un épisode de plus. Cela affaiblit un tas de principes. L’organisation des pouvoirs prévoit pourtant qui propose la loi, qui fait la loi, qui exécute la loi… Les oppositions n’ont guère de choix actuellement, si ce n’est de déposer des motions de censure pour tenter de renverser le gouvernement”.

Q – Comment les institutions peuvent-elles tenir ainsi tout un quinquennat?

R – “C’est bancal. Emmanuel Macron n’a pas joué le jeu pour construire une coalition, mais cela aurait donné une pratique de la Ve République contraire à ce que voulait le général de Gaulle. Donc on est conduit à chercher sur chaque texte de loi des coalitions nouvelles, ce qui nécessite des compromis politiques. Or sa majorité ne semble pas prête à faire des compromis véritables, comme l’a montré l’examen du budget. Cependant c’est un jeu à plusieurs, oppositions comprises.

Est-ce qu’Emmanuel Macron souhaitera dissoudre l’Assemblée nationale? C’est une arme à double tranchant. Il faudrait qu’il accepte une possible cohabitation, mais ce ne serait pas évident avec une majorité sans doute fragmentée. Il y a aussi une chance que de nouvelles élections donnent une meilleure majorité au président. Aux électeurs de choisir”.

reb/adc/cs/dch  

Les 93 recours à l’article 49 alinéa 3 de la Constitution
• Cyril THEOPHILOS

L’ancien Premier ministre Michel Rocard recordman du 49.3 avec 28 recours, à Paris le 5 novembre 2014
• THOMAS SAMSON

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Borne annonce un “fonds pour une aide alimentaire durable” de 60 millions en 2023

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Élisabeth Borne a annoncé jeudi un “fonds pour une aide alimentaire durable” de 60 millions d’euros en 2023, destiné à permettre aux Français “les plus fragiles” d’accéder à “une alimentation de qualité”, lors d’une visite de…

Élisabeth Borne a annoncé jeudi un “fonds pour une aide alimentaire durable” de 60 millions d’euros en 2023, destiné à permettre aux Français “les plus fragiles” d’accéder à “une alimentation de qualité”, lors d’une visite de la Banque alimentaire de la Marne, à Reims.

“C’est 60 millions d’euros que nous allons mobiliser en 2023 pour à la fois soutenir nos grands acteurs nationaux, pour qu’ils puissent acheter davantage de produits de qualité, de produits frais”, a déclaré la Première ministre à la presse à l’issue de sa visite.

“On veut également soutenir des initiatives comme celle qu’on a pu voir ce matin dans les territoires, par exemple des produits de qualité en circuit court pour nos banques alimentaires et les associations qui sont mobilisées sur cette aide alimentaire”, a expliqué Mme Borne.

La Première ministre était accompagnée pour ce déplacement du ministre des Solidarités Jean-Christophe Combe et de la secrétaire d’État à l’Économie sociale et solidaire et de la Vie associative, Marlène Schiappa. Le maire (Horizons) de Reims Arnaud Robinet était également présent.

Ces 60 millions d’euros iront, a expliqué Mme Borne, “à la fois aux grands réseaux nationaux qui proposent de l’aide alimentaire, dans des appels à projets qu’on va lancer” mais également “à des projets locaux, au travers des préfets de région”.

Ces derniers “pourront soutenir des initiatives (…) entre les agriculteurs, des producteurs qui pourront aussi proposer des circuits courts pour une alimentation de qualité. Par exemple aussi mettre en place des chèques alimentation durable puisque c’est quelque chose qu’on veut pouvoir développer ensuite à l’échelle nationale”, a poursuivi la cheffe du gouvernement.

“On travaille sur un chèque alimentation, qui est un sujet très compliqué. On a souhaité démarrer avec ce dispositif d’aide alimentaire renforçant la qualité des produits qui sont proposés”, a-t-elle précisé.

Casse-tête pour l’exécutif, le chèque alimentaire ne figure pas dans le budget 2023. Il devait initialement permettre aux foyers modestes d’acheter des produits frais et locaux, mais devant la complexité du système, le gouvernement avait annoncé en juin qu’il se fondrait dans un “chèque inflation”, plus simple, distribué à la rentrée.

bpa/sde/sp

Elisabeth Borne annonce un fond de 60 millions d’euros en 2023 “pour une aide alimentaire durable”
• Emeline HENRY

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Yellowstone, Pyrénées, Kilimandjaro: ces glaciers emblématiques vont dispaître, alerte l’Unesco

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Plusieurs glaciers du monde parmi les plus emblématiques, dont le Yellowstone, les Pyrénées et le Kilimandjaro, vont disparaître d’ici à 2050 “quel que soit le scénario climatique”, a prévenu jeudi l’Unesco…

Plusieurs glaciers du monde parmi les plus emblématiques, dont le Yellowstone, les Pyrénées et le Kilimandjaro, vont disparaître d’ici à 2050 “quel que soit le scénario climatique”, a prévenu jeudi l’Unesco à quelques jours de la COP 27.

L’organisation des Nations unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture (Unesco) appelle ainsi à “rapidement réduire les émissions de CO2” pour préserver les autres glaciers qu’elle a inscrits au patrimoine mondial.

L’étude porte sur 18.600 glaciers de 66.000 km2 au total répartis sur 50 sites du patrimoine mondial, soit 10% de la surface glaciaire totale de la terre, précise l’Unesco.

Sur un tiers de ces sites, les glaciers vont complètement disparaître. Les autres “pourraient être sauvés si nous limitions le réchauffement climatique à 1,5 degré” par une réduction “drastique” des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, prévient l’organisation.

Les glaciers du patrimoine mondial fondent à raison de 58 milliards de tonnes de glace chaque année, soit le volume d’eau utilisé annuellement par la France et l’Espagne, contribuant 5% à l’élévation mondiale du niveau de la mer, selon le rapport.

La vitesse du recul des glaciers “inquiète”, d’autant plus que “la fonte s’accélère”, a détaillé à l’AFP Tales Carvalho Resende, co-auteur de l’étude.

Selon le rapport du Groupe d’experts intergouvernemental sur l’évolution du climat (Giec) paru au printemps, la fonte des glaces et des neiges est l’une des dix menaces majeures causées par le réchauffement climatique.

La conférence COP 27 de l’ONU sur le climat, qui se tient du 6 au 18 novembre dans la station balnéaire égyptienne de Charm el-Cheikh, “aura un rôle crucial à jouer pour aider à trouver des solutions”, a souligné la directrice de l’Unesco, Audrey Azoulay, dans un communiqué.

17 sites

Les glaciers des sites classés au patrimoine mondial sont un échantillon représentatif de “tous les types de glaciers” du monde. La fonte se constate partout, et principalement en Amérique du Nord et dans l’Arctique.

L’ensemble des glaciers classés en Afrique va disparître d’ici à 2050, notamment ceux du Parc national du Kilimandjaro, en Tanzanie, ou du Mont Kenya.

En Europe, les glaciers des Pyrénées-Mont Perdu en France et en Espagne devraient disparaître, au même titre que ceux des Dolomites en Italie, du haut lieu tectonique suisse Sardona et des parcs nationaux du Yellowstone et de Yosemite aux Etats-Unis. Trois sites classés en Russie vont également voir leurs glaciers fondre entièrement.

Au total, les glaciers de 17 sites classés au patrimoine mondial n’existeront plus d’ici à 2050, projette l’Unesco, à partir d’une analyse de données satellitaires réalisée avec l’Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature (UICN).

Les glaciers des aires protégées des trois fleuves parallèles au Yunnan en Chine ont vu leur volume divisé par plus de deux et fondent actuellement le plus rapidement parmi les sites classés.

Fonds spécial

Si les émissions de gaz à effet de serre restaient à leur niveau actuel, “environ 50% des glaciers du patrimoine mondial pourraient presque entièrement disparaître d’ici 2100”, s’alarme encore l’organisation.

L’impact sera “environnemental, sur la biodiversité et sur les ressources d’eau”, souligne M. Carvalho Resende, sans “oublier que ces glaciers ont également une importance culturelle pour les communautés locales”.

La fonte expose “des millions de personnes” au “manque d’eau et au risque accru de catastrophes naturelles”, renchérit Bruno Oberle, directeur général de l’UICN, dans le communiqué.

En insistant sur les glaciers les plus connus, l’Unesco espère provoquer une “une prise de conscience” plus forte pour des engagements “plus ambitieux”, selon M Carvalho Resende.

Au-delà d’un appel à une réduction des émissions, l’Unesco demande la création d’un “fonds international pour la surveillance et la préservation des glaciers”.

“Il y a toujours un manque de données assez important”, pointe le co-auteur.

Par ailleurs, “même si on arrête drastiquement les émissions, les glaciers vont continuer à reculer” et “il faudra mettre en place des actions d’adaptation” face aux bouleversements inévitables que cela provoquera, note-t-il.

ys/ha/hj

Le glacier d’Ossoue sur le pic du Vignemale dans les Pyrénées françaises, le 5 septembre 2021
• Matthieu RONDEL

Le pic du Vignemale et le glacier d’Ossoue dans les Pyrénées françaises, le 5 septembre 2021
• Matthieu RONDEL

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Lit, lobster and lots more

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: The BVI Beacon

What began as “Culture Week” has exploded into an annual celebration of art, literature, cuisine, music and other cultural assets in an effort to preserve and showcase what makes the Virgin Islands special. The festivities now fall under the umbrella of Culture and Tourism Month, which this year also features the BVI Literary Arts Festival and the 10th annual Anegada Lobster Festival.

Organisers explained their vision for the 2022 celebration during a press conference on Oct. 28, and Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley shared his excitement for the events that got under way this week. “We want to take it to the next level, because we have a real mandate to diversify our tourism product,” Dr. Wheatley said, adding, “It is our intention to ensure that when you come to the Virgin Islands, you have top-of-the-line museums. And, in fact, we have increased the pace to make sure our national museum is being built.”

BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission Director Clive McCoy added, “Hopefully we can make it bigger and better every year.”

‘It’s lit’

The month started with an opening ceremony and opportunity to meet VI artists on Nov. 1. The second-annual BVI Literary Arts Festival, which kicks off this evening, aims to celebrate the literary arts by bringing together authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers over creative activities including workshops and readings. More information about the workshops can be found on the BVI Literary Arts Festival page on Facebook.

This year’s featured panel of international and regional creatives includes renowned Caribbean authors such as Kei Miller, Ana Portnoy Brimmer, Tobias Buckell, Desiree Bailey, Tiphanie Yanique, Derron Sandy, Carlyle Corbin, Andre Bagoo, Sharma Taylor, Yona Deshommes, Dinah Johnson, and Celeste Rita Baker.

VI Poet Laureate Dr. Richard Georges, the president of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, said he is proud to see a robust programme filled with opportunities for community members to learn and create. He also noted that such events have the potential to boost tourism.

As part of the literary festival, panels and workshops will be held Nov. 4-5, and a poetry slam competition will follow from 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium. Participants will have three minutes to perform a piece embracing this year’s theme of “Unspoken, Unwritten, Unknown.”

Music and more

This year also sees the return of Fungi Fest on Nov. 25. Junior Minister for Tourism Alvera Maduro-Caines, who is helping organise the event, said she is excited to see celebrations of traditional music for visitors and residents alike.

Nine bands are slated to perform so far, with a few coming from overseas, she said, adding that no entrance fees are planned.

“We need to really preserve this music,” she said. “We will be having bands from different schools as well to participate. We need to keep that tradition going, especially in the schools.”

A cultural food fair will be held at the same time. Additionally, the Virgin Islands Communal Association will host a “cultural extravaganza” and bonfire on Nov. 12. Organisers are also planning several days of cultural dance demonstrations for students.

The festival will culminate in the launch of a new children’s book: I Want to be a Thatcher Man, by Janice Nibbs.

Lobster Fest

A bevy of creative crustacean dishes are planned for this year’s Anegada Lobster Fest from Nov. 25-27. The festival begins with a “lobster crawl” covering many of the island’s favourite bars, and early on the last day there will be a “Butter Sauce Tramp.”

“In addition to promoting gastronomical tourism, the event is expected to promote the major attractions to explore and the activities to experience on Anegada,” Mr. McCoy added in a press release.

Ten restaurants are putting their culinary creations to the test while providing live entertainment. Lobster samplers will cost $10.

Mr. McCoy encouraged attendees to be sure to give one new addition a try: vanilla lobster ice cream from The Wonky Dog.

He noted that hotels and car rentals are booked up for the weekend, but he said ferries will be running among the sister islands and groups can consider booking catamarans or yachts for the day.

Attendees can download a digital guide to Lobster Fest with information about menus, ferry schedules, an island map, emergency contacts, and other fun activities. For more information, go to www.bvifoodfete.com.

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UN Secretary-General Pledges Continued Support to St. Kitts and Nevis in Areas Such as Climate Change and Agriculture

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 01, 2022 (SKNIS): 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.

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