New York, 11 June 2026 — The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis participated in the annual Retreat of the CARICOM Caucus of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, which was held in New York on Friday, 5 June 2026.
Saint Kitts and Nevis was represented by Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Minister Counsellor Eustace Wallace. Also in attendance was CARICOM Observer Ambassador Leslie Wade, who hails from the island of Nevis within the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The retreat was convened under the leadership of Her Excellency Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, who serves as Chair of the CARICOM Caucus of Permanent Representatives for the months of May and June 2026.
The CARICOM Caucus of Permanent Representatives holds an annual retreat to review the Caribbean Community’s engagement at the United Nations, assess ongoing priorities, and consider strategies for advancing the interests of the Community within the multilateral system. In this context, discussions at this year’s retreat centered on issues of the highest priority to the Community, including sustainable development, climate resilience, international peace and security, financing for development, and the reform of global governance institutions.
The Permanent Representatives engaged in productive and forward-looking discussions and took several key decisions aimed at further strengthening CARICOM’s visibility, engagement, coordination, and impact at the United Nations. Emphasis was placed on enhancing the Community’s advocacy on issues affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS), deepening strategic partnerships, and ensuring that CARICOM’s priorities continue to be reflected in international deliberations and outcomes.
CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, is a regional integration organization comprising fifteen Member States and five Associate Members. Established by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM seeks to promote economic integration, coordinated foreign policy, sustainable development, and functional cooperation among its members.
CARICOM’s engagement at the United Nations is of particular importance because it enables Caribbean nations to speak with a unified voice on issues of critical concern to the region. Through coordinated diplomacy and advocacy, CARICOM has played an important
role in advancing international recognition of the unique vulnerabilities and priorities of Small Island Developing States, including climate change, sustainable development, debt sustainability, food and energy security, disaster resilience, and equitable representation within global decision-making bodies. Acting collectively at the United Nations enhances the influence of Member States and strengthens their ability to shape international policies and outcomes that affect the Caribbean region.
The participation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the annual retreat underscores the Federation’s continued commitment to regional integration, effective multilateralism, and the advancement of the collective interests of the Caribbean Community at the United Nations.
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