"We will achieve sustainable island status and ensure an equitable future for all"
The representative and Minister of Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Joyelle Clarke, addresses the opening day of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Summit. teleSUR
Transcript
00:00 We go live to the United Nations to listen to the statements of the representatives of
00:05 St. Kitts and Nails at the SDG Summit.
00:12 Progressive agenda for people-first transformation in comprehensive access to healthcare, equity
00:19 in education, targeted social protection and workers' rights.
00:24 We are at the vanguard of regional progress in all the SDGs related to people, largely
00:31 due to our multidimensional approach to poverty reduction via a comprehensive mapping of the
00:37 vulnerability landscape and expanding economic transformation.
00:43 Our priority areas for investment and policy changes include renewable energy and geothermal,
00:50 the transformation of the energy sector aligns with our NDC commitments with investments
00:57 in geothermal in Nevis and solar energy in St. Kitts to construct one renewable grid
01:04 connecting two islands.
01:07 Water security.
01:09 Important for us is balancing the water energy food nexus, which is fundamental to our economic
01:15 transformation.
01:16 The commitment will be met through continued public-private partnerships in desalination.
01:23 Food security.
01:25 We adopted the CARICOM 25 by 2025 initiative in our agriculture and fisheries sector to
01:32 reduce food imports by 25% by the year 2025.
01:38 Digital public infrastructure.
01:41 Accelerated investments in digital infrastructure are improving connectivity, public and private
01:46 sector productivity, and the digital economy.
01:50 St. Kitts and Nevis is a success story in spite of and due to our small size.
01:59 International support for the SDG agenda is a must.
02:03 We call for and support the call for innovative financial instruments, predictable climate
02:09 finance, debt relief, concessional financing, centering of justice, amplifying of the voices
02:17 of the smallest nations and the most vulnerable people, the promotion of equity, and the increase
02:24 in political will and solidarity amongst all global stakeholders planet-wide.
02:31 By pursuing these priorities collaboratively with increased ambition and determination,
02:38 we will attain our sustainable island state, thus guaranteeing a more equitable future
02:44 for all.
02:45 And I thank the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate.
02:54 We were listening to the statement that said her nation was at the vanguard thanks to their
02:57 multi-approach to current challenges.
02:59 See for detail how St. Kitts and Nevis has improved in different sectors, describing
03:04 it as a success story.
03:06 Stay tuned with TELESURINGLIS for more updates on what's going on at the UN on this important
03:11 week.
03:11 [MUSIC PLAYING]