Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, September 19, 2023 (Press Secretary, PMO)- The Honourable Prime Minister of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance M. Drew, is set to join Heads of State and Government in New York for the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This year’s session, spanning from September 18 to 26, marks a crucial juncture in the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the imperative need to realign efforts towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDG Summit, a pivotal event of UNGA 78, will assemble leaders and communities to recommit to these goals at the midway point to 2030.
Prime Minister Drew is slated to address the global assembly on Saturday, September 23rd, delivering the Saint Kitts and Nevis National Statement. In addition to this, he will present statements in his capacity as the CARICOM Quasi-lead for Health in two high-level meetings, focusing on Universal Health Coverage and Tuberculosis.
Dr. Drew and his delegation are also anticipated to participate in a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, Pandemic Prevention, the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Summit of the Future, the Secretary General’s Climate Change Ambition Summit, the United Nations General Assembly Rooftop Reception dubbed “The Development Future of the Caribbean” hosted by the Atlantic Council. Among several other high-level engagements, the delegation is scheduled for a bilateral meeting with representatives from the Republic of Korea, Equatorial Guinea, and Zimbabwe, and a breakfast meeting hosted by the Antigua Friends of Vision.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew and his distinguished delegation, which comprises Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms. Naeemah Hazelle; Press Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs. Adelcia Connor-Ferlance; and Senior Foreign Officer, Mr. Samuel Berridge, are scheduled to convene with their counterparts and other senior government officials on September 20.
Among the esteemed members of the Saint Kitts and Nevis delegation are Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas; Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Action, Environment, and more, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke; as well as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Kaye Bass; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Ms. Sherilita Dore-Tyson, who embarked on their respective meetings earlier this week.
During their attendance at the UNGA 78 Session, Prime Minister Drew and the delegation will engage with members of the diaspora at two significant events commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Independence for the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
On Friday, September 22nd, the Prime Minister will host the 40th Anniversary Independence Gala & Cultural Extravaganza organized by the Permanent Mission of Saint Kitts and Nevis Embassy to the United Nations, and on Sunday, September 24th, the delegation will partake in the annual Church ceremony in honour of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Independence Day.