St. Kitts and Nevis takes steps to secure partnerships with the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment and the Columbia Climate School

United Nations, New York (20th March 2025) – Capitalising on the presence of the Honourable Isalean Phillip’s impactful participation at the United Nation’s Commission on Women (CSW69), the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN took steps to shore up and secure partnerships at the prestigious Columbia University. Fully aware of the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to the success of the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA 2040), discussions with Ms. Lisa Sachs, the Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment proved a great opportunity.

Senator Isalean Phillip, joined by Permanent Representative Dr. Mutryce Williams and Minister Counsellor Eustace T. Wallace, engaged with Ms. Lisa Sachs, the Director of the Center and the daughter of sustainability guru and advisor to UN Secretary Generals Dr. Jerry Sachs. Accordingly, to Columbia University, “Ms. Lisa Sachs is the Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment. Since joining CCSI in 2008, she established and oversees CCSI’s robust and interdisciplinary research portfolio and advisory work on the alignment of investment law, investment practice, and investment policy with the sustainable development goals. She is a globally recognized expert in the ways that laws, policies and business practices shape global investment flows and affect sustainable development. She works with governments around the world, regional and international development organizations, financial institutions, companies, civil society organizations and academic centers to understand the inter-relations of investment flows and sustainable development, and to influence investment policies and practices to promote the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.”

The Center’s mission statement highlights that, “we are a joint center of the Law and Climate Schools at Columbia University, and we draw on the expertise of the faculty in business, and engineering, among others. Our own team incorporates a diverse range of regional, legal, thematic, and sectoral expertise. We draw on that entire spectrum to anticipate and stay ahead of emerging trends and challenges, and to approach our research and engagements holistically, embracing and engaging with complex systems. We take an iterative approach that combines rigorous research with technical support and training programs that help partners translate vision into action.”

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M. Drew and Foreign Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas have long championed the role of universities and colleges in advancing education, best practices, technology transfers for sustainable development and resilience. This latest demarche by the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN hopes to secure meaningful partnerships with critical actors as we achieve sustainability, resilience and security in the face an uncertain global climate, particularly across key demographics like youth, women and girls.