Sasha Lloyd Becomes First National of Saint Kitts and Nevis Selected for Italy–AOSIS Fellowship at the United Nations

United Nations – New York, (9th March 2026) — Ms. Sasha Lloyd, Crown Counsel II at the Attorney General’s Chambers of Saint Kitts and Nevis, has been awarded the prestigious Italy–AOSIS Fellowship for 2026, becoming the first national of Saint Kitts and Nevis to be selected for the programme. Ms. Lloyd, who hails from Nevis, was one of ten fellows selected globally for the 2026 cohort.

The fellowship commenced in mid-February 2026 and will conclude in December 2026. During this period, Ms. Lloyd is attached to the Permanent Mission of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations in New York, where she serves as an Attaché supporting the Federation’s participation in multilateral negotiations.

While undergoing the rigorous requirements of the Italy–AOSIS Fellowship, Ms. Lloyd will primarily support the Mission’s work in the United Nations Sixth Committee (Legal Affairs), contributing legal analysis and negotiation support on matters of international law.

Ms. Lloyd serves as Crown Counsel II in the Attorney General’s Chambers of Saint Kitts and Nevis, where she works on environmental and maritime law matters relevant to small island developing states. She previously earned a Master of Laws in International Maritime Law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute as a Nippon Foundation Fellow, and contributes to national legal initiatives related to maritime boundaries, fisheries legislation, and international ocean governance.

Ambassador Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, welcomed Ms. Lloyd’s selection.

“Ms. Lloyd’s selection for the Italy–AOSIS Fellowship is a significant achievement for Saint Kitts and Nevis. Her legal expertise and dedication to advancing the interests of small island developing states will greatly strengthen our Mission’s work at the United Nations, particularly in the area of international law. We are proud to see a young professional from Nevis representing our Federation in this important programme.”

Ambassador Williams also underscored the Mission’s commitment to creating pathways for nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis to gain experience in international diplomacy.

“Small states must intentionally build the next generation of diplomats and international lawyers. One of my priorities has been to ensure that talented nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis are exposed to the multilateral system and have opportunities to contribute meaningfully to global decision- making. Programmes like the Italy–AOSIS Fellowship are essential for developing the expertise our Federation needs to navigate increasingly complex international legal and climate negotiations.”

Ms. Lloyd expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the Federation through the fellowship.

“It is a tremendous honour to be selected as an Italy–AOSIS Fellow and to represent Saint Kitts and Nevis in this programme. As a small island developing state, our engagement in international legal and climate negotiations is vital to protecting our maritime spaces, environment, and sustainable development interests. I look forward to contributing to the work of the Mission and deepening my understanding of the multilateral legal system while supporting the priorities of the Federation.”

The Italy–AOSIS Fellowship Programme is a capacity-building initiative developed by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in partnership with the Government of Italy to strengthen the participation of small island developing states (SIDS) in international negotiations. Established in 2014, the fellowship has grown into a flagship programme that places early-career professionals from AOSIS member states at their countries’ Permanent Missions to the United Nations for a year of intensive diplomatic training and practical experience in multilateral negotiations.

Now entering its eleventh year, the programme selects ten fellows annually, providing specialized training in climate diplomacy, ocean governance, sustainable development, and international law while fellows support their national delegations at the United Nations.

Ms. Lloyd’s participation in the fellowship will further strengthen Saint Kitts and Nevis’ engagement in international legal and environmental negotiations and contribute to the development of specialized legal expertise within the Federation.

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