POST-CABINET BRIEFING FOR MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2023

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 04, 2023 (Cabinet Secretariat): The Cabinet Ministers met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, on Monday, April 3^rd, 2023, and made several important decisions to improve the welfare of our people.
 
In the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration’s ongoing thrust to become a Sustainable Island state, the Cabinet approved the ratification of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Agreement defines the legal capacity, privileges and immunities that are normally accorded to the IAEA high-level representatives and technical staff. Ratification of the Agreement will pave the way for the IAEA to activate their technical cooperation teams and deploy experts to St. Kitts and Nevis, especially in the areas of agriculture, water, human health, radiation safety and security.
 
The Cabinet approved the establishment of a Consulate of St. Kitts and Nevis in Mumbai, India and the appointment of Ms. Farhana Vohra as Honorary Consul. St. Kitts and Nevis and India share a common history as former British colonies and have a well-established diplomatic relationship. Ms. Vohra comes with over 25 years of global experience in branding, retail, luxury goods and education. An Honorary Consul is an official representative of the Government whose main activities are to assist and protect citizens of the country which he or she represents and to promote trade, tourism and culture and to facilitate friendship between the people of the two countries.
 
In another significant step towards nurturing positive environmental stewardship among our citizens and residents, the Cabinet endorsed the phased approach to reducing and eliminating single-use plastics in St. Kitts and Nevis. Single-use plastics include items such as plastic bags, straws, soda and water bottles, and foam food containers. The Department of Environment continues to engage stakeholders throughout the Federation on reducing waste and pollution, as well as promotion of environmentally friendly materials and products. Your Government will continue to ensure that suitable, affordable alternatives to single-use plastics are readily available to all. Transitioning to a Sustainable Island State means promoting personal responsibility and adhering to the tagline “Waste: Our Responsibility.”