BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – On July 3, 2026, Samal Duggins, Minister of Cooperatives and Agriculture of St. Kitts and Nevis, aligned with the nation to mark the 104th International Day of Cooperatives, centering the global observance’s 2026 theme “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World” to spotlight the outsize role cooperative movements play in the federation’s development. In his official address marking the occasion, Duggins pushed back against the narrow framing of peace as merely the absence of conflict, arguing that durable, meaningful peace is rooted in equitable opportunity for all people to advance their well-being. He explained that peace takes root when community members can secure steady incomes, care for their households, have a voice in local decision-making, and collaborate to lift up shared spaces – all core values that form the founding mission of cooperative organizations. “Here in St. Kitts and Nevis, cooperatives continue to demonstrate the transformative power of collective action,” Duggins noted in his remarks. The minister detailed the far-reaching impact of cooperatives across multiple critical sectors of the federation’s economy, from agriculture and agro-processing to fisheries, community savings initiatives, and youth development. Duggins emphasized that these member-led organizations do more than drive individual economic gains: they strengthen household livelihoods, boost national food security, and build more resilient communities that can withstand local and global economic shocks. Duggins pointed specifically to three standout cooperative segments that have delivered exceptional value to the federation: agricultural cooperatives, fisheries cooperatives, and the country’s school-based junior saving cooperative program. The youth-focused initiative, he explained, is cultivating a new generation of leaders who embody responsible financial habits, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to collective community good. As St. Kitts and Nevis works toward its national vision of becoming a leading Sustainable Island State, Duggins reaffirmed that cooperatives will remain an indispensable strategic partner. The movement advances core national goals including shared widespread prosperity, broader economic resilience, inclusive democratic participation, and grassroots community empowerment, he said. To support the continued growth of the cooperative sector, Duggins confirmed the St. Kitts and Nevis government remains fully committed to strengthening the movement through targeted investments in modernization, cooperative education, and workforce capacity building. He revealed that the Ministry of Cooperatives and Agriculture is currently advancing work on a landmark new Cooperative Act, a legislative update designed to create a flexible, supportive regulatory framework that positions the sector for long-term, sustainable growth. Closing his address, Duggins extended sincere gratitude to the thousands of cooperative members, volunteer leaders, and community supporters who dedicate time and energy to advancing the movement and advancing national development. “Together, let us continue to embrace the values of cooperation, solidarity, and shared responsibility as we build a stronger, more inclusive, and more peaceful St. Kitts and Nevis,” he said.
Duggins Hails Cooperatives as Key to Food Security, Economic Growth and Peace
