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  • LIVE: Budget Debate 2026/2027

    LIVE: Budget Debate 2026/2027

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  • Police seek public’s help to locate missing girl

    Police seek public’s help to locate missing girl

    Law enforcement officials in Saint Lucia are turning to the community for help in locating a woman reported missing from the capital district of Castries. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has issued a public call for information on Israel Phillip, a resident of Black Mallet who has not been seen or heard from since late July 2026.

    According to official details released by the police, Phillip was last spotted by witnesses at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 30. At the time of her disappearance, she was dressed in distinctive clothing that may help the public identify her: black tights, a black hooded jacket featuring a bold red stripe running down the back, and a pair of popular Reef brand slippers.

    Police have shared a physical description of the missing woman to aid public recognition. Phillip stands roughly 5 feet 5 inches tall, has a medium build, brown eyes, and black hair that is styled in braids.

    The RSLPF is urging any member of the public who may have seen Phillip since the date she was last reported seen, or who holds any information that could help investigators trace her current whereabouts, to come forward immediately with details. There are multiple confidential channels available for people to share tips:

    Interested parties can reach out directly to the Marchand Police Station by calling the dedicated local line 456-3885. Alternatively, tipsters can contact the anonymous national Crime Hotline at 555, or submit information securely through the official RSLPF Crime Hotline mobile application.

    Authorities emphasize that even small pieces of information could prove critical to locating Phillip safely, and encourage anyone with relevant details to not hesitate to contact police.

  • James ‘very disappointed’ school reopening pushed back 1 week

    James ‘very disappointed’ school reopening pushed back 1 week

    A scheduled start to the 2026–2027 academic year in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has become a flashpoint for political criticism, as the main opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) has blasted the incumbent administration over a last-minute one-week delay to the term’s opening. The Ministry of Education recently confirmed that the new school year will now kick off on September 7, seven days later than the originally published timeline, framing the adjustment as a measure to allow time for final pre-term preparations and guarantee a smooth opening for students and staff. Official guidance has directed school principals and leadership teams to use the extra seven days to wrap up staffing allocations, finalize classroom arrangements, and carry out mandatory orientation activities for incoming students.

    Speaking on the ULP’s own media outlet Star Radio, opposition Senator Carlos James — a former Minister of Tourism under the previous ULP administration — delivered sharp condemnation of the delay, saying he is deeply disappointed by what he frames as a clear demonstration of weak governance and lack of proactive leadership from the sitting government. James argued that the delay exposes critical gaps in administrative oversight, quality control, and forward planning that should have prevented the schedule change entirely.

    Outlining the protocols the ULP followed when it held office, James explained that the former administration would meet well in advance of each new school year with technical teams from the Ministry of Education to align budget allocations to the specific needs of every school across the country. Allocated funds for infrastructure repairs would then be channeled through the Central Water and Sewerage Authority and Building and Roads General Authority (BRAGSA) under the Ministry of Transport to ensure all campus rehabilitation work was completed before the first day of class. The Ministry of Education, meanwhile, would coordinate ahead of time to secure all required furniture for both students and teaching staff, James added.

    The opposition senator referenced recent comments from Prime Minister Godwin Friday, who stated that his administration allows government ministries to operate independently without micromanagement. James pushed back on this framing, arguing that the issue is not overreach into ministry operations, but a fundamental lack of accountability from the top levels of government. He clarified that he does not fault career technocrats for the delay, noting that no major natural disaster — which would be the only acceptable reason for a disruption to school opening schedules under past ULP governance — has impacted the country in 2026.

    “Without even a catastrophic event to set work back, you cannot even open schools on time?” James questioned. He argued that the root cause of the delay is a failure by the current administration to verify that sufficient, accessible budget allocations were in place for the Ministry of Education to complete all pre-term work on schedule.

    James added that when the ULP was in power, every parliamentary representative would conduct on-the-ground visits to schools in their constituencies to meet with principals, identify unmet needs, and flag gaps for central government. This created an open working relationship between elected officials and school leadership, with representatives acting as “eyes and ears” for communities to resolve administrative bottlenecks before they could delay the school year. Effective representation, James argued, is not just about showing up to events — it requires proactive engagement to resolve operational and administrative challenges before they impact students and families.

    The current administration’s inexperience in governing is the core reason for this misstep, James contended, noting that while technical preparations are important, strong administrative coordination from elected leaders is equally critical to keeping the school year on track. He rejected all justifications for the delay, arguing that the government had full awareness of ongoing needs — from infrastructure repairs to procurement gaps and supply shortages — months in advance, and had a responsibility to adjust plans to meet those needs and keep schools opening on schedule.

    James also warned that the one-week delay will have cascading impacts on the academic year, most notably complicating efforts to cover the full national curriculum within the scheduled term timeline.

  • Bellevue Chopin resident appeals to authorities to follow up on sanitation predicament

    Bellevue Chopin resident appeals to authorities to follow up on sanitation predicament

    A Bellevue Chopin resident on the Caribbean island of Dominica is escalating a public appeal to local waste management authorities and environmental officials, demanding immediate action to clear a large pile of bagged household waste that has sat on her property for months, despite repeated formal requests and a pre-agreed payment for the service.

    Frances Harvey, the property owner, told local media outlet Dominica News Online that the waste accumulated after she hosted a three-day end-of-term retreat for 25 students from Dominica Grammar School, which is based in the capital city of Roseau. After the event concluded, Harvey sorted and bagged all leftover waste to be collected, placing the pile in her garden, where it has remained untouched ever since.

    In the months following the retreat, Harvey has pursued multiple avenues to secure collection, making repeated in-person visits to the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC)’s Roseau office and sending multiple follow-up emails to request the special pickup. She confirmed that during these communications, a DSWMC staff member agreed to dispatch a collection truck for a paid special collection, and Harvey immediately committed to covering all associated service costs. To date, however, no collection team has arrived to remove the waste.

    The months-long delay has spawned growing public health risks for Harvey’s household and the surrounding neighborhood. Rodent populations have already been drawn to the uncollected waste pile, creating unsanitary conditions that threaten the well-being of local residents. Beyond the immediate impacts on her own property, Harvey warns the broken promise of collection highlights systemic gaps in the island’s waste management infrastructure.

    She argues that when residents take the initiative to properly sort, bag and store waste for collection, only to be ignored for months on end, it erodes incentives for responsible waste disposal. This breakdown in service, she says, ultimately contributes to a rise in illegal dumping across local communities, exacerbating broader environmental and public health challenges island-wide.

    Harvey reaffirmed that she remains fully willing and ready to pay the agreed cost for the special collection service, and is only asking authorities to fulfill their commitment. She has now issued a formal public call for the DSWMC and Dominica’s Ministry of Environment to intervene immediately, end the unnecessary delay, and arrange for the waste to be removed from her Bellevue Chopin residence without further postponement.

  • Mottley salutes Jamaica on 64th Independence anniversary

    Mottley salutes Jamaica on 64th Independence anniversary

    As Jamaica marks six decades of sovereign nationhood, the Prime Minister of neighboring Caribbean state Barbados has issued a heartfelt public message of congratulations, highlighting the island’s outsized global cultural footprint and cementing the deep, decades-long diplomatic and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

    Sharing the official greeting across social media on Thursday, Mia Mottley extended her well-wishes from both the government and people of Barbados, alongside personal congratulations, to Jamaican communities living on the island and across the global diaspora.

    In her statement, Mottley emphasized that Jamaica has left an indelible, unmatched mark on both Caribbean collective identity and global culture. “Your culture has travelled far beyond your shores without ever losing the spirit of home, reminding us of what Caribbean people can achieve when we remain confident in who we are,” she noted.

    Mottley went on to underline that the government and people of Barbados hold the long-standing bilateral relationship with Jamaica in high esteem. As small island developing states, both nations share core priorities: safeguarding their unique national and regional identities, and advancing inclusive, long-term progress that lifts the quality of life for all their citizens.

    To close her message, Mottley referenced a iconic line from Jamaica’s national anthem – “Justice, Truth be ours forever” – expressing her hope that these guiding values will continue to steer the country’s growth in the years ahead. “Barbados celebrates with you today and wishes you continued progress and prosperity. Happy Independence Day, Jamaica, and may the Eternal Father continue to bless your land,” she concluded.

  • National Security Committee to Stage CHOGM Readiness Exercise

    National Security Committee to Stage CHOGM Readiness Exercise

    In a formal public announcement issued on August 6, 2026, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda’s Office of Strategic Communications has confirmed that the country’s National Security Planning Committee for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will launch a large-scale, inter-agency security drill codenamed “Exercise Resilience” on August 10, 2026. The simulation exercise, set to run from 12 noon through 8 p.m., will focus on three key locations that are slated to host official CHOGM activities: Sticky Wicket Restaurant and Conference Centre at Barnacle Point, and the Copper and Lumber Store Hotel located in English Harbour. This drill is a core milestone in Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing pre-event preparations for the November 2026 CHOGM, which the nation will host as the gathering’s official host country. Unlike routine tabletop planning exercises, Exercise Resilience is designed to test and reinforce national security protocols in a controlled real-world environment, with specific goals including evaluating current security preparedness levels, honing emergency response coordination, refining inter-agency communication workflows, and boosting overall operational effectiveness ahead of the high-profile international summit. During the 8-hour drill, participating security and emergency response agencies will run through a full suite of simulation scenarios that mirror the exact operations required for the official summit. These include route planning and movement protocols for VIP and VVIP motorcades, layered venue security screening, rapid emergency response to hypothetical security incidents, and coordinated operational procedures that align with the plans for the official CHOGM Business Forum scheduled to take place at Sticky Wicket. To support the safe execution of the drill, temporary security adjustments will be implemented across a wide swathe of the island, and local authorities are advising the public to prepare for disruptions. Temporary road closures, traffic diversions, and restricted access will be in effect across multiple major road networks, with limited parking available throughout the Sticky Wicket area, including road segments adjacent to the old terminal of V.C. Bird International Airport. Affected routes cover all major arteries leading to summit venues across the island’s four quadrants, including two key highways, Sir George Walter Highway and Sir Sydney Walling Highway, as well as Old Parham Road, Friars Hill Road, Valley Road, all access routes to and from V.C. Bird International Airport, and the entire English Harbour and Dockyard region. Pedestrian access will also be restricted in designated exercise zones, and uniformed police and security personnel will be deployed at strategic points along affected routes to guide drivers, manage traffic flow, and ensure the safe, orderly movement of both vehicles and pedestrians. Local authorities have issued clear guidance for residents, business operators, motorists, and airport travelers ahead of the drill. The public is strongly encouraged to plan travel in advance, depart early for scheduled commitments where possible, and allocate extra time for journeys to avoid unnecessary delays. Organizers have also urged the community to comply with all posted traffic signs, diversion orders, and instructions from on-site police and authorized security personnel, and to follow official government media channels for real-time updates and advisories before and during the exercise. In closing the official media release, both the National Security Planning Committee and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda extended an apology for any temporary inconvenience caused by the exercise security measures, and expressed sincere gratitude for the public’s ongoing patience, understanding, and cooperation as the nation works to deliver a safe, successful 2026 CHOGM this November.

  • Kings win big in CPL warmup

    Kings win big in CPL warmup

    As the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) fast approaches, the defending champion Saint Lucia Kings sent a clear warning to their title rivals with a dominant 52-run warm-up win over the Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) North XI at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.

    Opting to take the batting first under cloudless skies on a hard, batting-friendly pitch, the defending champions got off to a blistering start from the first over, maintaining a ferocious run rate all the way through their 20 overs to post an imposing total of 271 runs for the loss of six wickets. Stand-in captain Ackeem Auguste set the tone for the dominant display, crafting a rapid 60 runs from just 30 deliveries, decorated by six crisp boundaries and four powerful maximums before retiring hurt.

    The aggressive momentum did not slow after Auguste’s departure, with 19-year-old Antiguan talent Jewel Andrew picking up where the captain left off. Andrew smashed an even more spectacular 68 runs off only 30 balls, including five towering sixes that cleared the ground’s boundary ropes with ease. Middle-order batter Kamil Pooran chipped in with a quickfire 34 from 18 deliveries, while lower-order hitters Darren Nedd and Matthew Forde put the foot on the gas in the closing overs: Nedd notched 30 runs from nine balls, and Forde added 32 from just 13 deliveries to push the Kings to their mammoth match total.

    Speaking to reporters after the game, Auguste highlighted the team’s intentional aggressive strategy heading into the warm-up contest. “We came into this game with a clear mindset to stay aggressive and back our stroke-play from ball one,” he said. “Jewel was sensational out there, and the way the middle and lower order finished things off gave us massive confidence heading into the main tournament.”

    Chasing a daunting target of 272 runs to win, the SPL North XI put up a valiant fight, led by explosive knocks from Jaden Elibox (49 runs off 21 balls) and captain Stephen Naitram (37 runs off 17 balls). The contest swung irreversibly back in the Kings’ favour thanks to a devastating bowling performance from young seamer Amari Goodridge, who tore through the North XI’s batting lineup to claim a five-wicket haul of 5 wickets for 30 runs from his four allotted overs. Goodridge’s spell was backed up by McKenny Clarke, who took 2 wickets for 34 runs, while Auguste chipped in with one wicket for 28 runs to help restrict the SPL North XI to 219 runs for 9 wickets at the end of their 20 overs, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Kings. Goodridge was also named Player of the Match, having added an unbeaten 25 runs off 13 balls with the bat earlier in the game.

    Auguste heaped praise on Goodridge’s match-winning performance, noting: “Amari was outstanding with the ball. To pick up five wickets on a pitch where batsmen were hitting the ball so cleanly shows his quality and character. He broke key partnerships every time North XI threatened to get momentum back, and that was the decisive factor for us tonight.”

    The team’s preparation will continue with one final pre-season warm-up match at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Thursday, before the squad travels to St Vincent & the Grenadines for their 2024 CPL season opener against the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, scheduled for Sunday at Arnos Vale Stadium. Immediately following the opening fixture, the Kings will return home to kick off their series of home matches in the tournament. The warm-up win comes as the side puts the finishing touches on pre-season training, with captured behind-the-scenes images showing assistant coaches Tino Best and John Eugene leading training sessions including catching drills and resistance work for young players ahead of the tournament.

  • Flow launches ‘We Live For This’campaign to celebrate Caribbean passion for cricket

    Flow launches ‘We Live For This’campaign to celebrate Caribbean passion for cricket

    One of the Caribbean’s most prominent telecommunications providers, Flow, has unveiled a region-wide promotional campaign titled ‘We Live For This’ to build excitement for the upcoming 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the region’s premier T20 cricket tournament. The new campaign is anchored in Flow’s recently finalized official partnership with the CPL, uniting two of the Caribbean’s most recognizable brands that share a core mission of strengthening community bonds, centering Caribbean culture, and delivering memorable experiences for millions of cricket fans across the region.

    The ‘We Live For This’ slogan was crafted to encapsulate the one-of-a-kind energy that defines Caribbean cricket. It honors every part of the CPL experience that has earned the tournament its nickname as the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’ – from edge-of-your-seat on-field matchups and sold-out stadium crowds to the infectious music, neighborhood celebrations, unshakable community pride, and loyal fan support that set the league apart from global cricket competitions.

    Today, the Republic Bank CPL ranks among the most-watched domestic T20 cricket leagues on the planet, drawing more than one billion cumulative viewers from across the globe. The tournament serves as a global showcase for Caribbean athletic talent, cultural vibrancy, and world-class entertainment, putting the region’s unique identity in the international spotlight.

    Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Caribbean, Flow’s parent company, emphasized that the campaign reflects the deep, foundational role cricket plays in shaping Caribbean collective identity. Smidts noted, ‘Cricket in the Caribbean is woven into the fabric of our identity, our culture, and the shared rhythm that unites our region. ‘We Live For This’ celebrates the passion, pride, and sense of belonging that cricket sparks across every one of our islands. Through our partnership with the Republic Bank CPL, we are bringing fans closer than ever to the moments that matter, while continuing to invest in experiences that bind our communities together.’

    Beyond on-site and traditional broadcast access, Flow is also giving fans the option to stream every match of the 2026 tournament via its own dedicated streaming platform, Bluu. The service will roll out across nearly all Flow-operated markets, with the only exceptions being St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, where existing broadcast rights agreements prevent Bluu from carrying CPL content. This streaming option gives fans a flexible, on-the-go way to follow the tournament, ensuring they never miss a key play no matter where they are in the region.

    The ‘We Live For This’ campaign also reaffirms Flow’s longstanding commitment to nurturing homegrown Caribbean talent, strengthening local communities, and investing in the sporting and cultural initiatives that hold the greatest meaning for Caribbean people. By combining Flow’s industry-leading reliable connectivity with the electric energy of the CPL, the partnership guarantees fans can follow every match, every celebration, and every unforgettable moment of the 2026 tournament without interruption.

    The 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League is scheduled to run from August 7 to September 20, with six franchise teams competing at venues across the Caribbean for the title of regional champion in one of the most prestigious T20 tournaments in world cricket.

    As a leading communications and technology provider operating across more than 20 Caribbean markets, Liberty Caribbean delivers broadband, mobile, video, and voice services to residential customers through its consumer brands Flow and BTC. Its business-to-business division, Liberty Business, provides enterprise-grade connectivity, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data center services to private businesses and government entities, supporting regional economic growth in an increasingly digital global economy. With a 150-year legacy rooted in the Caribbean, Liberty Caribbean remains focused on building robust local networks, delivering personalized community-focused support, and creating tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of the region’s people.

    First launched in 2013, the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 cricket tournament that blends top-tier competitive cricket with the vibrant, celebratory energy of Caribbean Carnival. In 2025 alone, the tournament drew 1.17 billion broadcast and digital viewers, cementing its status as one of the most-watched cricket leagues in the world. Trinbago Knight Riders enter the 2026 tournament as defending champions, and they will compete against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Kingsmen, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, and Saint Lucia Kings for the 2026 title.

  • Asa Bantan’s 10th annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete set to mark milestone weekend in Grand Bay

    Asa Bantan’s 10th annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete set to mark milestone weekend in Grand Bay

    One of Dominica’s most beloved summer entertainment traditions is preparing to mark a major milestone this August, as Asa Bantan’s Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete returns to Grand Bay to celebrate a full decade of cultural celebration, community connection, and Caribbean fun. What began 10 years ago as a single local gathering has evolved into a cornerstone of the island nation’s summer events calendar, and for its 10th anniversary, organizers have expanded the celebration into a full four-day lineup packed with performances, cultural experiences, and cross-regional gatherings that draw attendees from across the Caribbean and the Dominican diaspora worldwide.

    Backed by the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the 2026 anniversary edition is expected to deliver far-reaching economic benefits beyond just entertainment. Organizers project the weekend event will boost revenue for local microbusinesses and community stakeholders, including hotels, independent guesthouses, family-owned restaurants, neighborhood bars, local transportation providers, and street vendors across Grand Bay and its surrounding areas. This aligns with the island’s broader tourism strategy to drive summer travel and distribute economic opportunity across local communities.

    Reflecting on the event’s 10-year growth trajectory, DDA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tourism Marva Williams emphasized the critical role community-led festivals play in strengthening Dominica’s global tourism profile. “Festivals and events continue to play an important role in strengthening Dominica’s tourism offering by encouraging travel during the summer season and creating opportunities for businesses and communities,” Williams said. “The continued growth of Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete over the past decade reflects the value of investing in local events that attract regional visitors, support entrepreneurs and encourage more visitors to choose Dominica during the summer season.”

    For event founder Asa Bantan, reaching the 10-year milestone is a point of deep collective pride. “Celebrating 10 years of Breakfast Fete is a proud moment for all of us,” he shared. “I am grateful to everyone who has supported the event over the years, and my team and I are looking forward to welcoming returning patrons and first-time visitors to Grandbay for this special anniversary weekend.” To mark the anniversary, organizers have asked all attendees to wear red, the official celebratory color for this year’s edition.

    The full four-day schedule of festivities kicks off on the evening of Friday, August 7, with a vibrant Lighting Parade that travels from the Grand Bay Community Centre to Lalay, running from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The opening night will feature live sets from TK International, Asa Bantan himself, and DJ Shil, with a paid beverage package available for attendees.

    The momentum continues straight into the early hours of Saturday, with the Pre-Breakfast Fete Party hosted at Hyland in Grand Bay from 1:00 AM to 7:00 AM. The weekend’s iconic signature event, the 10th Annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete, will take place on Sunday, August 9, from 1:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Grand Bay’s Savannah. Dubbed “The People’s Fete,” this year’s marquee event boasts a stacked lineup of more than a dozen performers from across the Caribbean and beyond, including headline Jamaican dancehall artiste Valiant, alongside Dominican acts Asa Bantan, Trilla G, Jixel, Gwada G, Kenny G, BRG Hollywood, Reo Ok Boom, Eddy, Little Boy, Lestef KJF, Pudaz, Freddy, Fifin & Wotlis, Faithii, and Devon, plus international guests King Kembé of St. Maarten, and Strosey and SMS of Guadeloupe. Attendees can choose from three experience tiers: Dry Zone, Wet Zone, and premium VIP access.

    Sunday evening brings a laid-back wrap-up to the main fete activities with the Breakfast Fete Cool Off at Hyland, running from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with a soundtrack spanning the best of bouyon, soca, reggae, and dancehall. The anniversary celebration concludes on Monday, August 10, with an Island Tour and Wet Fete Finale. The guided tour departs from Roseau, makes scenic stops in Massacre, St. Joseph, and Mero, before returning to Grand Bay for the closing celebration.

    The DDA is encouraging all interested attendees to purchase tickets early to secure their spot, and is urging out-of-town visitors to extend their stay to explore Dominica’s full range of natural attractions, local dining, and hospitality offerings while on island. Real-time updates on the event, including schedule changes and additional announcements, are posted to the official Asa Bantan and Dominica Festivals social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Caribbean nations cannot confront global challenges alone, says President Burton

    Caribbean nations cannot confront global challenges alone, says President Burton

    In a landmark address to Dominica’s Parliament this Wednesday, President Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton has issued a urgent call for deepened regional cooperation among Caribbean nations, arguing that no individual Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the region can tackle the overlapping crises they face in isolation.

    Burton outlined a suite of pressing interconnected challenges that demand coordinated collective response from Caribbean governments, including accelerating climate change, gaps in public health infrastructure, persistent food insecurity, fragile economic resilience, and inadequate cross-border disaster preparedness. For SIDS like those scattered across the Caribbean, she emphasized, regional integration and collaboration are not just a practical convenience—they are an existential strategic requirement for long-term survival and progress.

    The President specifically called for ongoing investment in and strengthening of collaborative frameworks through established regional bodies, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). She identified six core priority areas where cooperation must be accelerated: unified climate advocacy, cross-border health security, expanded intra-regional trade, improved connected transportation infrastructure, coordinated disaster risk management, and the unrestricted free movement of people, skilled labor and innovative ideas across national borders.

    Beyond regional benefits, Burton argued that unified action also gives Caribbean states far greater global influence. When the region speaks with one voice on issues that shape their collective future, their shared history of overcoming adversity, proven community resilience, and aligned common goals grant them unique credibility and moral authority in international negotiations, she said.

    In addition to pushing for regional coordination, the President also called on the broader global community to step up and deliver more effective support to vulnerable small island states. She highlighted critical global actions that are long overdue: ambitious, tangible climate action to curb global temperature rise, expanded access to affordable climate finance for developing small states, comprehensive reform of outdated international financial institutions, and a renewed global commitment to multilateral cooperation and the peaceful resolution of cross-border disputes.

    Closing her address, Burton reaffirmed Dominica’s ongoing international advocacy commitments. The country will continue to push for global fairness, justice and cross-national solidarity, while actively championing the specific interests of small developing states, she said. Dominica will also sustain its collaborative work with both regional and international partners to advance inclusive sustainable development and build a more equitable, secure future for all Caribbean people.