LAND POLICY AND SDGs AGENDA AMONG NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 02, 2023 (SKNIS): The Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, said that St. Kitts and Nevis’ Land Policy, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda, as well as the Federation’s recent presentation of its Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the United Nations form part of the ministry’s highlights for the past year since assuming office. 

With regard to the land policy, Dr. Clarke said that there have been challenges, but the Ministry of Sustainable Development has been able to work through them and bring some level of ease to the people.

“The Ministry took it upon itself to restructure an aged old problem. It has been one year and we are finally at the point where we can resume our land payments and make some significant but positive changes in our land policy,” said Dr. Clarke at the August 01 National Town Hall meeting organized by the Federal Cabinet as part of the activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew Administration.

As it relates to the Federation’s sustainability and the policy agenda, Dr. Clarke noted that St. Kitts and Nevis has regional and international commitments that the country must “stick to.” One such commitment is “presenting our status on the attainment” of the United Nations 17 “Sustainable Development Goals.”

“With partnership with the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Utilities, Domestic Transport [Hon. Konris Maynard] … our country was able to present its first VNR to the United Nations and the world. We were last in the Eastern Caribbean, but we did it and I am very proud,” said Dr. Clarke. “I want to just acknowledge the leadership and support of Minister Maynard; collaboration really moves mountains and St. Kitts and Nevis was able to do something that we have not done before.”

Equally important, is data collection, an initiative that was recently launched and primarily focused on by the Department of Constituency Empowerment. Dr. Clarke described this process as critically important to St. Kitts and Nevis as it helps provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making, especially as it relates to determining what policies would best serve the Federation’s population.

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