PM Ralph Gonsalves at 79th UN General Assembly: Championing voices of small island developing states

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves is making an active outing at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, lobbying strongly for the interest of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves arrived in New York on September 22 and took off on a frantic schedule chock-full with more than 30 events planned throughout the week, focused on “global conversation and cooperation.”

Among the first interactions with PM Ralph Gonsalves was a meeting with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization and former distinguished Foreign Minister of Nigeria.

The two leaders bantered each other, with Iweala claiming Gonsalves to be one of her favourites and continued to praise him for being always so cheerful, so jovial, and so relaxing.

This warmth tells much of the role of personal relationships in diplomacy. Once more, above the recession, recovery plan and issues of global trade and economic stability comes across as indulgent among global delegates.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves had the most important deliberations during his first day in the assembly, starting with a sitting in which he sat alongside the President of the Maldives.

The subject at hand was to take forward an uncaded tool for development meant to enhance productivity, and it was something much needed for SIDS, with insurmountable barriers when it comes to economic growth and sustainability.

The association with the Maldives is a fit example that will demonstrate the common challenges small nations face and the requirement of productive solutions to ensure development.

Following this, Ralph Gonsalves attended a launch event with the Chancellor of Germany and insisted on the concerns of Small Island Developing States. The reason for such an effort is important because SIDS are often dealt with such issues concerning climate change, low resource, and economic vulnerability.

While working with bigger nations, Ralph Gonsalves plans to raise his people’s voice above the din while dealing with critical issues of development in a global setting.

Ralph Gonsalves addressed the current summit talks on “Summit for the Future,” reiterating the importance of global cooperation in solving some of the problems currently prevailing in the SIDS.

He said that the general debate opens on Tuesday, with the sessions being carried on for the next couple of days. Debates in the General Assembly offer the option for world leaders to outline their interests and work together with others on the answers that would suit their countries.

Going forward, Ralph Gonsalves has scheduled meetings with some influential personalities: among them are Baroness Amos, former Member of the British government; and Dennis O’Brien, CEO of Digicel, which is currently the spearhead of a campaign on reparations.

Ralph Gonsalves declared interest in speaking about O’Brien’s project as well, rightly considering that there was a need to give prominence to dealing with a lot of historical injustice and promoting reparative dialogue in the world.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves makes a busy schedule for himself as he attends the UNGA session, his objective remains one of seeking support for the needs and aspirations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines while encouraging mutual effort on the part of other nations.

This week will form an excellent forum for dialogue and provide a means for PM Ralph Gonsalves to reaffirm his commitment in advancing the interests of small island developing states, wherein he ensures their voices are clear and well-heard and at the forefront of global discourses.