SVG takes up presidency of UN Security Council

As St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) takes up its Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for one month starting November 1, this country will have an opportunity to bring to the forefront priority areas such as climate change and sustainable development.

Beginning Sunday, SVG assumed its role as President of the UNSC for the first and only time during its tenure as an Elected Member.

SVG was officially elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security and officially assumed its position on January 2, 2020, which will run for a period of two years; culminating on December 31, 2021.

In the country’s capacity as President, it will be responsible for leading all deliberations of the Security Council on issues of international concern.

“This historic month also provides an opportunity for SVG to bring to the forefront many of its priority areas, including climate change and sustainable development, and elevate its voice in solving many challenges to international peace and security,” according to a release by the Permanent Mission of St Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsavles has indicated that the main points that St Vincent and the Grenadines would like to emphasize during its Presidency are climate change, development challenges, pandemics, and other drivers of conflict including issues connected to poverty, desertification, and alike.

In a message posted by the Mission on the first day of SVG’s presidency, the Prime Minister noted: “As we coordinate the Council’s activities, we will address a number of important issues affecting our Caribbean region and Our Hemisphere and indeed the world.”

“During our Presidency we will host a meeting on ‘Peace Building and Sustaining Peace: Contemporary Drivers of conflict and insecurity’. The issues of peace, security, prosperity, and the many sided sustainable development, which we pursue and which we urge all member states to pursue in this our family of nations, our global family.”

The signature event of the presidency of SVG will take place today, November 3, at 8:30 am, and is a high level virtual open debate hosted by the Prime Minister, who will deliver a statement on behalf of the country.

The debate will allow for the participation of Member States of the United Nations, Permanent Observers and Non-Governmental Organizations.

It will be streamed live from the Facebook pages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce and the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, and will be aired on the Eye on Government programme hosted by the Agency for Public Information.

“At this event, Sir Hilary Beckles, the distinguished vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies will present the Caribbean perspective on emerging challenges to peace, security and development,” the Prime Minister explained.

On Wednesday, November 4, SVG will Chair a meeting of the Police Commissioners of the UN Peacekeeping Missions, “and we intend accordingly to highlight some of the issues affecting our brothers and sisters in Haiti, including efforts to build capacities in the Haitian National Police and to advance women’s participation in the political and peace processes.”

Beyond these events at the beginning of the month, the Prime Minister has advised that the work program is quite full.