United Nations, New York (15th September 2025) – The 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly gave way to the 80th on Friday, 12 September as the world body prepares to welcome the global community for its High-Level Week. H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the UN, who also serves as a Vice President of the 80th Session was on hand with Eustace T. Wallace, Minister Counselor to witness the beginning of a session, presided over by H.E Annalena Baerbock, the former Foreign Minister of Germany.
In her inaugural speech the President of the General Assembly defended the value of the United Nations by stating, “the 80th session of the General Assembly is no ordinary session. 80 years. Longer than the average human lifespan. Normally this would be a moment to celebrate but are we really in a mood for celebration. Can we celebrate while parents in Gaza are watching their children starve?… While Pacific islanders are watching seas rise and waves lap against their homes. And while 808 million people are still trapped in extreme poverty, worried about how to simply feed their family. Instead of celebrating, one might rather ask: where is the United Nations, which was created to save us from hell? Where is the United Nations as conflicts spread, as our planet burns, as human rights are trampled? Our answer must be clear: We are not giving up.”
St. Kitts and Nevis is approaching this signature 80th Session since the United Nations founding with impactful diplomacy informed by geostrategic considerations and economic security to ensure that families and communities across St. Kitts and Nevis benefit directly from the nation’s international relations and external action.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew views the 80th Session as an opportunity to shore up key diplomatic partnerships across the UN institutions and memberships, including among the emerging economies of the global south for “as the Federation celebrates 42 years of independence with the theme “Perpetual Progress – A sustainable future in view” we view the United Nations as the Federation’s most meaningful development partner – be it in disaster risk reduction, climate action, access to safe drinking water, equitable access to healthcare, food and agriculture, culture and education, or safe guarding our Caribbean Sea as a zone of peace. We are being intentional and targeted to boost citizen security, economic mobility and importantly to secure sustainability and resilience for every Kittitian and Nevisian. Our foreign policy starts at home.”
The Federation’s foreign minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas concurred by underscoring “our election to the United Nations Economic and Social Council as well as serving a Vice Presidency during this marquee 80th session demonstrates elevated ambition and strategic foresight at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We seek to ensure we maneuver strategically amid geopolitical and geoeconomic change for developmental advantage that redound to each Kittitian and Nevisian. I look forward to working alongside the Prime Minister and cabinet colleagues to secure results and impact for our Sustainable Island State Agenda.”
