United Nations, New York (29 August 2025) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams, participated in an invitation only UN Reform: Walking the Talk Retreat hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs, at the European Forum Alpbach 2025.
The Alpbach 2025 Retreat held from August 23 – August 25, in the framework of the Austrian Initiative on “Networked Multilateralism: Upgrading Partnerships,” focused on finding ways of revitalizing the United Nations, in the area, of peace and security. Dubbed a forum for candid exchange, intellectual reflection, and creative policy thinking, participants were encouraged to think boldly, challenge assumptions, and to contribute to the conversation on the future of the United Nations.
Ambassador Williams conveyed greetings from the Government and People of St. Kitts and Nevis. She expressed appreciation for the extended invitation, and the opportunity to engage in critical dialogue on the United Nations, and its future, as the multilateral organ approaches its eightieth year. She informed that it was honour for St. Kitts and Nevis, a small island developing state, to sit at the table, meaningfully engaged in multilateral dialogue, especially a discourse on the future of the United Nations and its UN Charter.
She informed that she stood in agreement with Austrian ambassador Hannah Liko who said that “effective multilateralism is needed-inclusive, resilient, and anchored in international law, it remains the cornerstone of peace, security, and sustainable development. This year’s 80th anniversary of the United Nations compels to reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of the past eight decades and to look ahead and to ask what kind of organization do we need for the world tomorrow?”
Although a Security Expert, Ambassador Williams emphasized the vital role that youth and artists must play in shaping the future of the United Nations and ensuring the organ’s relevance for the next eighty years, and beyond.
Ambassador Williams evoked the spirit of Trinidadian calypsonian Singing Sandra, and noted how Singing Sandra’s lyrics from the song, “Nobody Wins a War,” resonated with her as a young girl, sparking her interest in politics, international relations, peace and security. She made an appeal to famed Austrian singer-songwriter Hubert von Goisern who was present at the forum encouraging him to continue to use his artistry to inspire others just as Singing Sandra had been an inspiration to her.
One year after the adoption of the Pact for the Future, in which member states mandated a comprehensive review of peace operations, and called for stronger partnerships with
regional organizations, the retreat provided a space for reflection, forward-looking dialogue and actionable recommendations to strengthen peace operations in an evolving global landscape.
The Austrian Federal Ministry stated, “At a time of deepening geopolitical fractures and growing threats to international peace and security, the role of the United Nations as guardian of the international order is indispensable yet under unprecedented pressure. The international community continues to look at the UN for leadership and legitimacy in addressing complex crises. However, doing so effectively will require bold thinking, renewed commitment, and innovation.”
The retreat brought together senior UN officials, diplomats, and leading experts to focus on fostering synergies between the UN and regional actors, reassessing the role of peacekeeping in contemporary conflicts, and examining the evolving leadership needs of the organization.
