by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): St. Kitts and Nevis is one of 192 countries currently showcasing the best of their food, art, traditions and all other aspects of their culture at EXPO 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The EXPO, which was pushed back a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, began on October 1, 2021, and is set to run until March 2022.
Prime Minister the Hon. Dr Timothy Harris and a delegation representing the Federation are in Dubai currently, and on November 16, our nation’s national day at the EXPO.
In his remarks to mark the day, the Prime Minister praised the UAE, calling the country an inspiration.
“For several Small Island Developing States, the progress and success of the United Arab Emirates represent a great source of inspiration. I am heartened by the fact that the UAE has long been a friend of St. Kitts and Nevis, and I look forward to working to strengthen the solid bonds of friendship and cooperation that join our countries and advance our common interests and facilitate further cooperation.”
In his remarks, H. E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Commissioner-General of EXPO 2020 Dubai said he was proud of the developing relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis and the UAE.
“We are proud of the thriving relationship shared between our two countries, one that has been further solidified by your recent establishment of an embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis in Abu Dhabi”
As the topic of climate change has been in the minds of all since the COP26 conference, both dignitaries made commitments that through their relationship, they plan on tackling climate change through the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund.
“I take this opportunity to reaffirm the UAE’s commitment to support St. Kitts and Nevis in the fight to tackle climate change. We stand with you, most notably through the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund, which is the largest renewable energy initiative of its kind in the region. And I look forward to exploring further opportunities for collaboration between our two countries in various fields of mutual priority for our nations,” said H. E. Sheikh Nahyan.
Prime Minister Harris said that the UAE was leading by example and indicated the Federation’s commitment to reducing fossil fuel reliance.
“We have resolved to [reduce] our dependency on fossil fuels by reorienting our policies, our investments and legislative agenda to accommodate wind, solar and geothermal energy.”
In closing, the Prime Minister welcomed those at the EXPO and the wider UAE to visit the Federation’s pavilion and our shores.
You can watch the presentations here:
