United Nations, New York (17th October 2025) – St. Kitts and Nevis continues leadership at the United Nations with coordination of Biennial Resolution on Culture and Sustainable Development with Minister Counselor and 2nd Committee (Finance and Economic Affairs) Lead Mr. Eustace T. Wallace, of the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN tapped by the G77 and China to coordinate the biennial General Assembly resolution dedicated to Culture and Sustainable Development.
This topical resolution “recognizes that culture is an essential component of human development, that it represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for the individual and the community and that it is an important factor in social inclusion and poverty eradication, providing for sustainable economic growth and ownership of development processes.”
The selection of St. Kitts and Nevis to coordinate this consequential resolution results from the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN’s intentional leadership in the realm of culture at the United Nations, recalling the Sustainable Island State Agenda which privileges sustainable industry. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, “the creative economy is rapidly growing, especially in developing countries, and contributes significantly to economic development and job creation. UNCTAD’s survey shows that the creative economy contributes between 0.5 to 7.3 per cent of the gross domestic product and employs between 0.5 to 12.5 per cent of the workforce in countries where data is available. Additionally, the total exports of creative services reached a record US$ 1.4 trillion in 2022, almost double the creative goods exports, which reached US$ 713 billion, highlighting the sector’s substantial contribution to international trade.”
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Caucus at the United Nations at the opening of the 2nd Committee’s 80th Session deliberations, in a statement coordinated by St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda for the general debate “urged the mainstreaming of culture in our collective pursuit of sustainable development. Amid fractured global consensus, from tariffs and weaponized trade, we believe that culture and the creative sector can play an essential role in sustaining global development. The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) exemplifies how culture can foster connectivity, trade, tourism, and investment. We call, per GA resolution 78/161, for greater investment in the cultural and creative industries, recognizing that these sectors generate income, create decent jobs, and address both the economic and social dimensions of poverty.”
Dr. Mutryce Williams, the Federation’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations welcomed the coordinating role for St. Kitts and Nevis by stating, “this selection mirrors the elevated ambition that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have set for our multilateral diplomacy across the UN system. At the Permanent Mission we believe that by playing an active role and leaning into leadership that we ultimately secure win-win partnerships, leverage, and a voice for Kittitians and Nevisians. And as Prime Minister Drew often says, ‘if you are not at the table, chances are that you are on the menu.’ At the UN, St. Kitts and Nevis is determined to be at the table – in fact we aspire to actively participate, make meaningful contributions, and seek leadership opportunities such as this one, while at the table.”
The Group of 77 and China is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for development. The Group of 77 and China is currently chaired by Iraq.
