PM Terrance Drew meets Leslie Wade, CARICOM’s Permanent Observer to the UN

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew congratulated Leslie Wade, a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis, on her appointment as the Permanent Observer of CARICOM to the United Nations.

This is an important role for a diplomat as she acts as a ‘bridge’ between CARICOM, an organized community in the Caribbean and the global arena of the UN.

In this position, Wade will be responsible for presenting the matters and solutions for concerns, placing priority of the member states of CARICOM at the highest international level. Wade’s appointment is therefore a grand success, as it will send a message of her capabilities and commitment to bettering the Caribbean region.

The Permanent Observer will work collaboratively with other UN missions and international organizations regarding sustainable development, climate resilience, security, and economic growth in the Caribbean.

Wade would also be expected to have an influential role with international partners by fostering cooperation and support for CARICOM initiatives. Prime Minister Terrance Drew stated he has no doubt that Leslie Wade was the right person to take on the new challenge and wished her all the success.

He said that the region needs excellent representatives like Wade as it faces all these worldly issues including climate change, economic fluctuations, and social inequalities which directly affect small island states like those in the Caribbean.

CARICOM has a remarkable presence at the United Nations, having progressed the regional issues at a greater and global level. In her capacity, Leslie Wade would have to engage in a variety of topics, such as security and humanitarian concerns specifically relevant to countries with non-ceasing political instability and gang violence.

The CARICOM Caucus, which is actively lobbying in favour of the cause of Haiti, also presses for increased international intervention that should bring peace and stability within the region.

Wade will also advocate for vulnerabilities across the Caribbean to climate change: an existential threat to many of the island nations in this region. This appointment comes at a time when CARICOM is actively working towards strengthening its influence on matters of global significance.

As the new Permanent Observer, Wade would engage regional leaders, international diplomats, and other UN bodies in pursuing the mission of CARICOM to extend economic integration, equitable development, and coordinated foreign policies among member states.

Wade would inject new energies and ideas toward restoring the role of CARICOM as more active contributor in international decision-making.