标签： Saint Kitts and Nevis

In a high-level working meeting held in Miami on September 28, 2026, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew held in-depth discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Geoffrey I. Hanley, reaffirming unified commitment to advancing the federation’s national agenda and expressing full confidence in his government’s leadership.

The gathering followed Hanley’s return from leading the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York City. Hanley traveled to Miami to deliver a comprehensive on-the-ground briefing to Drew on pressing domestic issues, the government’s ongoing policy work, and the outcomes of the federation’s diplomatic engagements during the UN assembly.

Over the course of the meeting, the two senior leaders walked through detailed updates on all core domestic portfolios, reviewed key takeaways from the federation’s time at UNGA81, aligned on the government’s ongoing priority initiatives, and addressed a range of other matters critical to national development.

In remarks released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) following the meeting, Drew shared his positive assessment of the discussion. “It was a pleasure to welcome my Deputy Prime Minister and to receive a full update on the work of our Government and our Federation’s engagements at the United Nations,” Drew said. “I am encouraged by all that continues to be accomplished on behalf of our people.”

Drew extended explicit gratitude to Hanley and his entire Cabinet for their consistent, committed leadership during this period. He also specifically recognized Hon. Konris Maynard, who stepped into the role of Acting Prime Minister while Hanley led the national delegation to the UN General Assembly.

Addressing the public of St. Kitts and Nevis directly, Drew reaffirmed his unshakable commitment to the shared national vision for the federation. “To the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I remain deeply grateful to God and my family, and for your prayers and support, which have been a genuine source of strength,” he said. “My commitment to you, and to the vision we share for our Federation, remains unwavering, and I look forward to returning to my full duties in due course.”

This official press release was distributed by the PMO and published by local media outlet SKNVibes.com, which notes that it was run in its original submitted form without editorial corrections to spelling or grammar, and that the views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of SKNVibes, its sponsors, or its advertisers.

Against the backdrop of growing global demand for fair, accessible criminal justice systems, the small Caribbean Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has emerged as an unexpected leader in justice reform, taking center stage at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Invited by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to share its groundbreaking progress with senior justice officials from across the globe, Saint Kitts and Nevis Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Garth Wilkin addressed a high-profile thematic gathering focused on expanding access to justice for more effective and equitable systems. Wilkin joined a distinguished panel that included UNODC Executive Director Monica Juma, as well as cabinet ministers and senior government representatives from the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Romania.

UNODC’s invitation to Saint Kitts and Nevis reflected the international community’s recognition of the Federation’s consistent commitment to building a people-centered, evidence-based, inclusive, and accountable justice sector. The invitation also highlighted ongoing collaborative work between the Caribbean nation and the UN agency to advance equitable justice access for all citizens.

The data shared by the Saint Kitts and Nevis delegation underscored the tangible impact of the country’s reforms. Compared to 2024, homicide rates dropped by 75% in 2025, hitting their lowest point in more than 20 years. This dramatic reduction has come from a fundamental shift in how the Federation approaches justice, Wilkin explained during his virtual address to the congress.

“Rather than only how we bring people into the justice system more efficiently, we increasingly ask, what is the appropriate justice pathway for this person, this harm and this community?” Wilkin said.

This person-centered approach has spurred two major policy innovations: a Diversionary Caution framework and a expanded Restorative Justice framework. Working in partnership with UNODC, more than 100 police officers, prosecutors, judges, and social service professionals have already received training to implement the Diversionary Caution system, which redirects eligible individuals away from traditional incarceration toward alternative resolutions that address the root causes of harm. The new Restorative Justice framework creates interconnected pathways for conflict resolution across police departments, prosecution offices, court systems, and local community groups. Looking ahead, the Federation also plans to launch the Community Justice Cup, a youth football initiative designed to teach conflict resolution and restorative values to young people across the islands.

Wilkin emphasized that the Federation’s small size has been a strategic advantage in implementing and refining these reforms, positioning small island states as more than just recipients of global policy guidance. “Small States can therefore be not merely beneficiaries of justice reform, but important contributors to its development,” he noted.

Looking forward, the next major priority for Saint Kitts and Nevis will be comprehensive correctional reform. Wilkin called for expanded international partnerships to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in building modern correctional systems centered on rehabilitation rather than just punishment. He argued that without intentional investment in outcomes during and after incarceration, even the most fair trials and effective prosecution leave the justice system incomplete. “If we invest in fair trials and effective prosecution but not in what happens during and after incarceration, the justice continuum remains unfinished,” he said.

As the 81st United Nations General Assembly General Debate enters its final stretch in Manhattan, New York, member nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have come together to publicly reaffirm their unified support for Guyana’s top UN diplomat, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, as the bloc’s official candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.

Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy dates back to July of this year, when CARICOM heads of government formally gave their collective endorsement shortly after Guyana officially nominated her for the role. With a long career in public service, she currently holds the position of Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and previously served as her country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. This background, regional leaders argue, has equipped her with the deep understanding of global development challenges needed to lead the UN effectively.

Multiple CARICOM leaders used their speaking time at the General Debate on September 25 to voice their public backing. Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley of St. Kitts and Nevis emphasized that his nation was proud to stand alongside CARICOM in endorsing Rodrigues-Birkett. He highlighted that her experience as an Indigenous woman from a small developing state brings a much-needed perspective to global leadership, pushing back against the unspoken norm that top UN roles must be held by representatives of large, powerful nations.

“Global leadership should never be determined by the geographic size or economic weight of a country,” Hanley noted, adding that Rodrigues-Birkett’s deep grasp of the unique struggles facing developing nations is exactly the kind of leadership the UN requires in this current era.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley echoed this sentiment during her address, framing the endorsement as a step toward renewing global faith in multilateral cooperation. “At a moment when the international community is being called upon to renew its faith in multilateralism, we believe that Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett brings to this task the experience, the skills and the understanding to serve the entire membership of this organisation,” Mottley stated.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia also added his voice to the chorus of support, while discussing the outgoing tenure of current Secretary-General António Guterres. “Saint Lucia wishes to express its endorsement of the candidate of the Republic of Guyana, Miss Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for the post of Secretary-General,” Pierre said, pointing to her decades-long record of distinguished public and international service. He also reaffirmed Saint Lucia’s commitment to working alongside aligned nations to push for much-needed internal reforms within the United Nations.

In addition to these three leaders, The Bahamas and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have also formally backed Rodrigues-Birkett, aligning with CARICOM’s collective endorsement of her candidacy.

The race for UN Secretary-General comes as Guterres’s term concludes at the end of this year, and the selection process has drawn close international attention. If elected, Rodrigues-Birkett would make history as the first Caribbean national to ever hold the top UN post. However, her candidacy is not without controversy: media reports have indicated that the United States may oppose her nomination due to Guyana’s current diplomatic stance on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

The 81st United Nations General Assembly General Debate is scheduled to conclude on September 28, the same day this announcement was made public.

Amid the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) underway in Manhattan, New York, a bloc of Caribbean diplomatic allies of Taiwan have once again thrown their weight behind calls for the island’s meaningful inclusion in the UN system, bringing the long-contested cross-Strait issue back to the center of global diplomatic debate.

Taiwan has remained locked out of UN bodies and most formal international mechanisms for decades due to firm opposition from the People’s Republic of China, which asserts the island as an inalienable part of its territory. Despite this exclusion, the self-governing island has repeatedly sought to contribute its technological capacity, public health expertise, and other resources to collective global action, according to its supporters.

Speaking during the General Assembly’s general debate, Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, reaffirmed his nation’s unwavering commitment to its diplomatic partnership with Taiwan and its backing for the island’s meaningful participation across the international community. Hanley recalled that earlier in 2026, St. Kitts and Nevis joined other like-minded nations in supporting Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer in the 79th World Health Assembly. He added that the Caribbean nation would continue to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and other relevant UN-affiliated mechanisms, while noting that all disputes across the Taiwan Strait must be resolved through peaceful means.

Philippe Pierre, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, used his address to the assembly to go a step further, stating his country’s explicit support for Taiwan’s full membership in the United Nations. Pierre framed his position as part of a broader push for comprehensive UN reform, arguing that any truly inclusive global body must ensure its decision-making structures accurately reflect the full diversity of the world it exists to serve. He noted that structural reforms, including an overhaul of the UN Security Council, are needed to boost the body’s legitimacy and effectiveness in tackling pressing global challenges and rebuild public trust in multilateral governance.

For St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Godwin Friday anchored his support in the 45-year history of formal diplomatic ties and people-centered cooperation between his country and Taiwan. “I wish in this August body to recognize our country’s 45 years of diplomatic ties and friendship with Taiwan that has seen us work together in development, in disaster response, education and in public health,” Friday told the gathered leaders. He emphasized that Taiwan has consistently demonstrated that it is ready to act as a responsible stakeholder in the global order, and renewed his call for the island’s inclusion in the UN system and its specialized agencies.

Belize Prime Minister John Briceño echoed these calls, tying the push for Taiwan’s participation to a broader argument about the importance of centering the voices of small and mid-sized states in global problem-solving. “We hold no illusion that a small state can resolve these crises, but smallness does not relieve us of the duty to speak or voice joins every call for the protection of civilians, for accountability and for the diplomacy,” Briceño said. He reaffirmed that open diplomatic engagement remains an essential foundation for securing lasting, durable peace across all global hotspots.

At the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly held on September 25, 2026, Acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley of St. Kitts and Nevis delivered a bold, principle-driven address centered on equity for small nations, consistent application of global rules, and urgent action on longstanding injustices and regional crises.

Hanley opened by framing Caribbean nations’ approach to global challenges as rooted in unwavering respect for core foundational values: national sovereignty, territorial integrity, consistent international law, and diplomatic dialogue. Reaffirming the regional bloc CARICOM’s longstanding position on ongoing border disputes in the Western Hemisphere, he made clear that the organization endorses the International Court of Justice as the legitimate, peaceful pathway to resolve the ongoing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, as well as the existing judicial process addressing territorial differences between Belize and Guatemala.

Beyond regional territorial disputes, Hanley called for the uniform application of international law across all active global conflicts, including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For small island states like St. Kitts and Nevis, he argued, inconsistent application of global rules creates a dangerous precedent where might overrides right, leaving vulnerable nations at constant risk. “Civilians continue to bear an unconscionable burden” in all these conflicts, Hanley stated, emphasizing that the global community must uphold a single, universal standard for international law, applied consistently rather than selectively, and extend moral conscience evenly rather than for political convenience. “There can be no hierarchy of human suffering,” he stressed.

On the matter of global leadership representation, Hanley announced that St. Kitts and Nevis joins the full CARICOM bloc in endorsing Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. He framed her candidacy as a landmark step for equitable global representation: as a woman and a leader from a small developing nation, Hanley noted, her candidacy demonstrates that global leadership is defined by vision and integrity, not the geographic or economic size of a candidate’s home country.

Hanley also highlighted a historic milestone in reparatory justice cooperation between African and Caribbean nations. In March 2026, the African Union’s reparations mechanism and the Caribbean Reparations Commission held their first official meeting, building on the framework of the Addis Ababa Declaration signed during the second Africa-Caribbean summit. Hanley argued that collaboration between the two regions must move beyond shared historical sympathy to tangible action across investment, trade, technology exchange, knowledge sharing, cultural cooperation, and coordinated global diplomacy. He referenced General Assembly Resolution 80/25/250, which formally classified the trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement of African peoples as the gravest crime against humanity, and called for the global movement for reparatory justice to transition from formal recognition of harm to concrete remediation. “Reparatory justice must move from recognition to remedy, and from words to action,” he said.

Turning to the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti, Hanley drew global attention to the deteriorating conditions ahead of the country’s first round of presidential and legislative elections: approximately 1.47 million Haitians remain internally displaced, and nearly half of the national population faces acute food insecurity. He called for the rapid deployment of the UN-authorized multinational gang suppression force, timely renewal of the mission’s mandate, and coordinated international support for Haitian-led recovery and governance efforts.

Addressing other regional and global priorities, Hanley shared that St. Kitts and Nevis has delivered humanitarian relief to the Cuban people and to St. Kitts and Nevis nationals studying in Cuba, and urged constructive diplomatic dialogue between the governments of Cuba and the United States to resolve longstanding tensions. He also reaffirmed St. Kitts and Nevis’ support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international bodies including the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization, and called for cross-strait differences to be resolved exclusively through peaceful means.

Closing his address, Hanley emphasized that trust between nations is built through delivered action, not empty promises. “Let this assembly be remembered not for what was said here but for what was done after,” he concluded.