United Nations, New York (3 February 2025) – On 31st January, the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis convened the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States on 29th January signaling greater partnership and cooperation as it leans into greater visibility, leadership and strategic impact at the United Nations. Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative to the United Nations gaveled the meeting to order and thanked her colleagues for the spirit of consensus and partnership. The Federation assumed chairmanship of the GRULAC at the start of the year taking over from Saint Lucia. Her Excellency now passes the baton to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Leveraging her chairmanship Her Excellency invited a cohort of strategically important partners to brief the group about areas for joint action and cooperation. These included H.E Georgina Guillen Grillo, Director General of Foreign Policy and Special Presidential Envoy for Oceans of Costa Rica to brief the group ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference later this year. She also capitalized on the opportunity to also engage with Ms. Anacláudia Marinheiro Centeno Rossbach, Under-Secretary General/Executive Director UN Habitat. Both organizations have been flagged by the Federation as potential partners as it pursues strategic partnerships at multilateral institutions as the Federation pursues the Sustainable Development Goals and a Sustainable Island State by 2040.
During the month-long chairmanship Dr. Williams prioritized the Government’s geostrategic diplomacy by working to ensure deeper engagement, broad consultation, equity, and transparency across all regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, earning the praise of her counterparts and colleagues at the United Nations.
Ambassador Williams underlined that “the experience truly was insightful and instructive.” She further underscored that according to the World Bank, “Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to see a gradual recovery in 2025, supported by declining inflation and accommodative monetary policy. The region’s economic performance will be influenced by a mix of domestic and international factors, with commodity prices and global demand playing moderate roles. St. Kitts and Nevis will therefore maneuver at the UN to secure geostrategic advantage and opportunities for the Federation. Latin America and the Caribbean are ourneighborhood, and many of us share the same sea and space. This compels us to work more closely together.”
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