SVG begins three-month observation of UN Security Council
By Nelson A. King
The Permanent Mission of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines to
the United Nations says it has
begun its three-month observation
period of the UN Security
Council.
The mission said in a statement
that the Oct. 1 to Dec.
31, 2019 observation is ahead of
officially taking up the country’s
two-year seat on the Security
Council on Jan. 1, 2020.
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines
is a small country that
consistently punches above its
weight in international affairs,”
the statement said. “The state
uses the tools of diplomacy and
multilateralism to advance its
interests in the global arena.
“The work being undertaken
at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Permanent Mission to the
United Nations is an important
aspect of this strategy,” it added.
“At a time when an ongoing
climate crisis touches the lives
of millions of people residing in
low-lying coastal regions and
on islands dispersed across the
world, the perspective of Small
Island Developing States (SIDS)
is crucial for ensuring that the
global community considers the
effects of their climate policies
on our countries and peoples.
“While SVG (St. Vincent and
the Grenadines) is small, the
combination of our history,
experiences, and perspectives -
which we refer to as a ‘small
island exceptionalism’ - compels
us to lift our voices and
share our unique opinions on
the issue of climate change and
its implications for global peace
and security,” the statement
Caribbean L 8 ife, Oct. 11-17, 2019 BQ
continued.
“This is why at the United
Nations General Assembly
(UNGA), 185 countries elected
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
for a non-permanent seat on
the UN Security Council,” it
said. “We consider this not only
a privilege but an important
responsibility.”
In the country’s 40th year of
independence, the mission said
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
is “proud to be counted as an
equal participant in the international
community.
“We reiterate the position
advanced by our prime minister
that ‘we are not better than anyone,
but no one is better than
us’”, it said.
The Mission to the UN said it
will continue to lift SVG’s international
profile, as it works with
its partners to uphold international
law and the principles of
sovereign equality.
“We are friends of all, and we
continue to strive for a better
world,” it said.
Jubilation ripped through the
Vincentian community at home
and in the Diaspora in June
when St. Vincent and the Grenadines
was elected as a non-permanent
member of the United
Nations’ Security Council.
Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Affairs Minister, Sir
Louis Straker described his
country’s election as “historic.”
“We had an excellent result,”
Sir Louis told Caribbean Life in
an exclusive interview. “We give
God thanks and thank the GRULAC
(Group of Latin America
and Caribbean) and all countries.
Many of them have come
to us and said they were pleased
with the result, notwithstanding
El Salvador’s stance.
“It’s an historic occasion, and
we’re very, very pleased,” added
the Deputy Prime Minister,
who was with Prime Minister
Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Culture
and Sports Minister Cecil “Ces”
McKie and other Vincentian diplomats
at the UN for extraordinary
vote.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines PM Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves (sixth from left), Foreign Minister
Sir Louis Straker (to Gonsalves left) and staff at the Mission to the United Nations.
Permanent Mission of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations