Federal Government Initiates Independent Oversight Body to Review Destiny Special Sustainability Zone Application

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, February 19, 2026 — The Federal Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis has initiated an Independent Oversight Body (IOB) pursuant to Section 9 of the Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act, 2025, to receive and review the application by the developers of the proposed Destiny Special Sustainability Zone in Nevis. The application, with supporting documents, was formally submitted by the Nevis Island Administration Cabinet to the Federal Cabinet on January 29, 2026.

The statutory IOB is distinct from, and operates independently of, the Prime Minister’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee currently reviewing the legislative framework of the Act. While the Ad Hoc Committee is examining the structure and safeguards of the legislation itself, the Independent Oversight Body has been established specifically to conduct a structured, evidence-based review of the Destiny application currently before the Federal Cabinet.

In accordance with the Act, the IOB’s mandate is to examine the application and provide written opinions to the Federal Cabinet on matters including compliance with the mandatory statutory prerequisites—the developer’s financial, organisational and technical capacity; economic projections; governance implications; environmental and fiscal risk exposure; and alignment with the Sustainable Island State Agenda.

The Act requires that any proposed Zone satisfy specific conditions precedent, including demonstrated financial and technical capacity, credible long-term economic benefit, lawful land arrangements, and express acknowledgment of the exclusive constitutional powers of the State. The IOB will assess whether these statutory requirements have been met before any further step is taken.

The Independent Oversight Body will comprise representatives nominated by key national  institutions, including faith-based organisations, labour, business, financial sector bodies, professional associations, and heritage interests, reflecting the Government’s continued commitment to inclusive and responsible governance. The inaugural meeting of the IOB is scheduled for Friday February 20, 2026.

The IOB has been tasked with submitting its written report to the Federal Cabinet before its final deliberation on the application. Simultaneously, relevant Government bodies will review the application. Their respective reports will summarise the key facts and analyses arising from their reviews, indicate whether and to what extent the application satisfies the statutory requirements of the Act, identify any gaps or areas of non-compliance, evaluate financial, legal, environmental, and institutional risks, and set out any recommended safeguards, conditions, or modifications that the Federal Cabinet should require before determining the next step.

The Federal Government has emphasized that the establishment of the Independent Oversight Body does not signal approval of the proposed Zone. Rather, it reflects the activation of the safeguards embedded within the Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act and underscores the Administration’s commitment to constitutional compliance, fiscal prudence, transparency, and the long-term interests of the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Following the Federal Cabinet’s review of the Independent Oversight Body’s report and any related ministerial analyses, if the Federal Cabinet determines that the proposed Development Agreement should proceed, the next steps are clearly set out in the Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act, 2025. The resulting proposed Development Agreement, in its entirety, must be ratified by, and contained in, a law passed by the Nevis Island Assembly and then the National Assembly, because the Area is within Nevis. 

That legislative process necessarily envisions the publication of the Bill to the general public in advance of the first reading and full parliamentary debates in both Assemblies. As a result, the general public will have full sight of the proposed Development Agreement before it is debated and voted upon in both the Nevis Island Assembly and the National Assembly. 

The establishment of the Independent Oversight Body and the resulting review process it triggers are the strongest possible affirmation of the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law. The Government is acutely aware of the public discourse surrounding the Special Sustainability Zones, and it is precisely for this reason forstrict adherence to the robust, multi-layered safeguards codified in the Act. The outcome will be determined by facts, law, and the long-term interest of the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis, not by speculation or sentiment.

Every proposed developer—whether local, regional, or international—is entitled to have its application reviewed carefully, objectively, and in accordance with the law. The statutory process exists to ensure scrutiny, transparency, and constitutional compliance, but it also exists to ensure that proposals are assessed on their merits, free from prejudice and premature conclusions. Responsible governance requires both rigorous examination and procedural fairness, and the Act provides for both.

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