Overseas diplomats return home for first consultation since 2018

THE GOVERNMENT OF St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is hosting its first biennial consultation since 2018 to reinforce foreign policy objectives and create operating efficiencies between the overseas missions, and senior staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The week long consultation got underway yesterday, June 26, with an opening ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade involving heads of embassies, consuls general and honorary consul of SVG under the theme, “Respair, renewing our thrust in the global arena.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Keisal Peters said an exciting programme had been prepared which allows all participants to gather with the ministers, officials from the public service and representatives from non- governmental organizations in order to assess the role of SVG foreign policy as a way of addressing its challenges.

“The foreign policy thrust of SVG is dynamic in nature and is rooted in three fundamental pillars. They are an independent, pragmatic and progressive foreign policy; adherence to the principles of international law; and solidarity and regionalism…”.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said it is important to recognize that prior to the last two decades, the flag of SVG on the world stage had never been flown so prominently.

“The bold principled, creative, pragmatic, and well grounded foreign policy of the ULP government has propelled SVG to the heart of a number of prestigious international fora that have brought countless benefits to Vincentians and our Caribbean civilization,” she noted.

The minister added that the government of SVG continues to further utilize the instruments of its foreign policy and mature regionalism to ennoble the Vincentian people.

“… SVG continues its quest to occupy leadership positions in regional, hemispheric, and international bodies so as to shape global debates and bring benefits to SVG and the region,” Peters said as she outlined some of the achievements in this area.

In October 2020, SVG assumed the presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and served for a period of two years.

“In January 2023, SVG was elected as the Pro- tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for a period of one year; and in December 2022,” SVG secured “one of the seven UN General Assembly seats on the peacebuilding commission, and is currently serving for the term 2023 to 2024.”

Additionally, SVG is holding membership, as well as chairmanship duties in relation to the following: membership in the World Heritage Committee from 2021 to 2025, and chair of the alliance of small island high level political multi- dimensional vulnerability index taskforce.

Minister Peters also pointed to roles within the Organisation of American States (OAS); being the Commonwealth small states advocacy champion for climate action; and being the lead spokesperson on trade for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) during the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Geneva last year.

Currently, SVG serves as the chair of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development.

Peters also spoke to the establishment of diplomatic relations with more countries around the world to better protect the nation’s interest in relation to visa waivers, investments, trade, developmental systems, cultural and sporting links.

“For example, in 2022 SVG established diplomatic relations with four countries, and in 2023 to date, we have done so with one country, giving a total of 149 countries with respect to agreements…”, she added.

“To improve the trade position of SVG, the ministry continues to develop and implement initiatives and proposals aimed at fostering an environment to trade.

“One initiative is SVG completed its import/export guide and this was completed in 2023.”

The minister explained that the import/export guide is an important tool to facilitate the ease of doing business in SVG.

“It gives investors, entrepreneurs and other interested persons access to valuable information and contact agencies in our one stop shop.”

The guide is intended to inform traders and the general public on the legal and procedural requirements for engaging in trade transactions within the borders of SVG.

The diplomats will visit projects currently under construction and will meet with the Cabinet on Friday.