Derionne Edmeade to represent St Kitts and Nevis at first meeting of COP1 in Chile

St Kitts and Nevis: Environmental Education Officer in the Ministry of Environment and Cooperatives – Derionne Edmeade, has been representing St Kitts and Nevis at the First meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the Escazu Agreement, which has been conducted from April 20-22, at the Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (ECLAC) Headquarters.

The ministry is currently in Santiago, Chile.

Edmeade stated, “St Kitts and Nevis has been one of the 24 countries which have signed the pact and among 12 party states which have also ratified. This step by St Kitts and Nevis Government shows the dedication and commitment to creating a sustainable and safe environment for the current and future generations.”

During the meeting, Mr Edmeade would highlight the commitment of the Federation toward the Escazu agreement and its obligations. He would also focus on how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) may benefit from becoming a party to the treaty.

The agreement was drafted during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ((Rio+20). This is a regional treaty that has been effective from April 22, 2021.

This agreement was negotiated by the authorities of the Caribbean as well as Latin America. It focuses on preserving the rights of the current as well as further generations so that they may have a healthy and sustainable environment.

The Escazu agreement is the region’s first-ever treaty, which focuses on the environment, and the world’s first agreement with provisions on human rights defenders in environmental matters.

The first Conference to the Escazu Agreement will focus on the three articles included in the agreement, namely, the funding necessary for the function and implementation of the agreement, the rules for the implementation of the agreement, as well as the establishment of an implementation and Support Committee.