Joint meeting held to discuss contributions of UNESCO in development of St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the Man and Biosphere National Committee held a meeting recently to discuss the contributions made by UNESCO in the development of the Federation. The meeting discussed the organisation's technical and financial expertise in various sectors like education, cultural heritage and biodiversity.

According to the information, the meeting proceeded in the presence of Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis who also handles the UNESCO related affairs, and Dr. David Doyle, St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to UNESCO whose visit to the nation aligned with the meeting, and all the other respected officials.

The meeting heard about the success of earlier UN projects set up for the development of the federation. It also discussed the ongoing and upcoming projects that aims at receiving expertise and aid from UNESCO.

Specifically, the meeting aimed at UNESCO’s intervention for the betterment of the following mentioned arenas; Preserving and identifying the cultural heritages in the country and pushing their names forward for addition in the World Heritage Site List, Progressing the rates of Anti-Doping in Sports arena which currently is at 73% in the country, improving and adding necessary amendments in the National Accreditation System.

Some other important negotiations included betterment in the teaching sector, identification and preservation of the country’s intangible cultural markers and to establish a Intangible Cultural Heritage Policy Framework, developing the biodiversity markers in the St. Mary Biosphere Reserve.

Dr. Geoffrey Hanley stated that all of these initiatives will serve as critical support foundations in transition of the country into a robust sustainable island state.

He also expressed his gratitude to the members of UNESCO and for their efforts in developing the island. Dr. Hanley said that making UNESCO a crucial partner in the development of the island was fruitful.

He further affirmed the common goal of government of St. Kitts and Nevis and UNESCO by stating that the nation is continuing to benefit from the aids of UNESCO in the areas of policy development, expertise and implementation in project implementation and will go into 2025 with an even enhanced work plan.

The minister also remembered the last year’s meeting with UNESCO at Paris and emphasized on the consistency of efforts towards the previously discussed goals.