BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Organisation of American States (OAS) on Friday (Dec. 3) organised a Flag Raising Ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the agreement that established its presence in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The event took place at the OAS Country Office in Fortlands where officials of the Federal and Local government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, various non-government organisations and civil society turned out in their numbers.
The ceremony featured the contribution of the OAS to specific development priorities in the Federation and highlighted the efforts of local coordinating agencies that were central to supporting the developmental thrust of the government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In his address to the gathering, St. Kitts and Nevis OAS Representative Starret Green spoke about the reason for his organisation’s presence in the Federation and reviewed some of the benefits the nation gained and is gaining from the relationship.
“Wrapped in the spirit of Inter-American Cooperation and solidarity, armed with the ideals of its charter and guided by the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of countries, the OAS came to the Federation eager to build a productive partnership.
“The organisation found in the government and people of this twin-island country a receptive ear, open arms and a willingness to cooperate. For 25 years this partnership has developed and it has produced tangible results. Its impact has been strongly felt in a number of areas, to include education and training, tourism development, security, development of alternative and renewable sources of energy and political and legal reforms,” Green said.
He pointed out that the OAS’ presence in the Federation, as manifested through the its programmes, projects, activities and initiatives, has made and continues to make a positive difference in advancing the welfare of the citizens.
Green declared that over the 25-year period, the OAS had provided US$9M in scholarship funds to 150 nationals to pursue studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, noting that each of them were in receipt US$60 000 for two years of study.
He stressed the need for cooperation in the development of the Federation and noted the benefits St. Kitts and Nevis derived from its contribution to the OAS Voluntary Fund.
“As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), developmental cooperation remains vital to the continued development of St. Kitts and Nevis. The technical assistance provided by the OAS, through the Department of Integral Development is helping to build institutional capacity while strengthening the country’s human resource capabilities, through training in a wide range of vocations.
“Between 1998 and 2009, the Federation contributed US$61 200 to the OAS Voluntary Fund for technical cooperation. In turn, it received, through the Special Multilateral Fund for Integral Development (FEMCIDI), US$1 397 657 to implement some 30 projects. This represents a return of over 2 000 percent, and it speaks volumes to the benefits that small independent States in the Hemisphere receive as a result of their membership in and partnership with the OAS.”
Green also spoke to the support the OAS gave to Nevis in that island’s exploratory work on its geothermal resources, as well as support to the Federation’s initiative in harnessing wing energy.
“The OAS, through its Department of Sustainable Development, has provided a solid foundation for the commercial development of geothermal and wind energy in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. When the current Nevis Island Administration (NIA) decided to conduct exploratory work on its potential geothermal resources, it was the OAS that provided the requisite technical, financial and legal support.
“After the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the NIA took the bold step to develop their respective potential to harness wind energy, the OAS readily supported both initiatives. It was the OAS that also helped to negotiate an agreement that paved the way for the construction of a wind farm on St. Kitts in 2011. Today, Nevis boasts a fully functioning wind farm which is providing up to 1.5 megawatts of electricity to its national grid.”
He emphasised the benefits citizens of the Federation gained from the 25-year productive partnership and noted a number of things that have to be considered in shaping a new relationship between the two entities.
“For quarter of a century, the citizens of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have benefited from a very productive partnership with the OAS. Looking ahead towards another 25 years of partnership, there is the realisation that a new paradigm should chart the way forward. In shaping a new relationship, due consideration should be given to the changing geo-political landscape of the hemisphere, developing new approaches and mechanisms to further enhance and sustain the socio-economic gains of the Federation, and the optimal use of the organisation’s political currency in advancing its priority mandates.”
The OAS Representative added that “in this connection, partnerships that were forged 25 years ago and more seem ripe for renewal and perhaps even radical revision”.
