Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS) — Crime and violence, climate change, renewable energy, combating non-communicable diseases, and HIV/AIDS were among some of the issues that Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, outlined in his address to the seventieth session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on Friday, October 2nd.
“My delegation is pleased that the focus of your theme: ‘The United Nations at 70- A New Commitment to Action’ will shed special light on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which form the basis of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development,” said Dr. Harris, adding that his government is in full agreement that the new partnerships for sustainable development will be at the center of the work programme of the UN until the year 2030.
Prime Minister Harris expressed the perspectives on key global matters of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Climate Change for us is of utmost importance,” said Prime Minister Harris. “It must never be placed on the proverbial back burner, as it remains an existential threat for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Dr. Harris stated that the government is optimistic that the post-2015 development agenda in conjunction with the recently adopted Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and Conference of Parties (COP) 21 Climate Change Conference in Paris, in 2015, represent a courageous step forward for humanity. This, he said, if fully implemented, will yield the kind of future that children and grandchildren deserve.
“We are reminded that action is required to create decent jobs for our people, build schools for our children, deliver quality health care for all, and to provide a home to our working mothers and fathers,” he said, adding that St. Kitts and Nevis stands committed to the process of implementing these, which includes a robust, systematic and effective monitoring and review process.