THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE & COMMERCE Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Diplomatic Courier May to August, 2019 Issue 3/2019 Inside: SVG wins bid for UN Security Council Presidential Visits to SVG Winners of the 2019 MOFA Essay Writing Competition Trade Update And more... From the Desk of Foreign Minister Hon. Sir Louis Straker, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Commerce June 7, 2019 is a day that will stand out in the history of St. Vincent and the Grena- dines. Approximately a decade ago, this little nation set out on a quest to become a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Some say it couldn’t happen, but it did! The N.D.P. Opposition said it was “a fool er- rand”, but we were wiser than they. We started off by declaring our candidacy for the Security Council in 2010, challenging Colombia. The Columbian contingent The flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was raised at a ceremony in front of the General Assembly pleaded with us to withdraw to avoid a building of the United Nations on 17 September 1980. At the opening meeting of the 35th session of the contest in the GRULAC group. We with- General Assembly, the country was admitted as the 154th Member of the Organization. drew our candidacy after negotiating for El Salvador came up against us, their support and that of GRULAC ten (10) -planned road map, the mission was prodded by its mentor, but we were agile years later - the only date available. accomplished. and carefully locked all the gates behind us so that they could gain no entrance. We Quietly, but persistently, we waged our H.E. Ms. Inga Rhonda King won El Salvador 185 to 6. What an accom- campaign. The Prime Minister of St. Vin- succeeded Camillo as Permanent Repre- plishment! This was the zenith of ten (10) cent and the Grenadines, Dr. The Hon. sentative to the United Nations. She years of diplomatic outreach to our sister Ralph E. Gonsalves, the Ministry of For- rose to the top of the learning curve in CARICOM countries, to the other countries eign Affairs, Trade and Commerce and the no time. She worked hard to secure of Latin America, Asia,, Africa, Europe then Permanent Representative to the Unit- “Reciprocals” and other endorsements and the Pacific, including Australia and ed Nations Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, pro- for our candidacy and on June 7, 2019, New Zealand. vided a solid foundation by negotiating for the election of St. Vincent and the with every country around the world. Grenadines as a non-permanent member If we can achieve this with the help of the of the UNSC which was a historical Almighty God, we can achieve anything. The Prime Minister continued in office, milestone to all Vincentians; a surge of So on January 1, 2020, we take our seat in the Foreign Minister retired, Camillo exuberance of pride and joy was felt by the Security Council chamber, sitting at the Gonsalves returned from the U.N. to Capi- all Vincentians across the globe. Oh table with the most powerful countries on tal to become Minister of Foreign Affairs, what humble pride welled up in our earth, militarily and economically. Trade & Commerce succeeding Hon. hearts as we gave God thanks for Dr. Douglas Slater who immediately suc- bringing us thus far by faith – amazing To God be the glory, GREAT THINGS HE ceeded me as Foreign Minister, then later grace! The smallest country by geogra- HATH DONE. took up an appointment at CARICOM; but phy and population – ever to be elected by dint of extraordinary exertion and a well as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council. Page 2 Page 3 H.E. Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Apostolic Nuncio-Ambassador accredited to St. Vincent and the Grenadines H.E. Archbishop Nwachuku met with H.E. Vilma Reyes Valdespino, H.E. Archbishop Nwachuku met with Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in St. Vincent and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grenadines and Dean of the Diplomatic Corp Vincent and the Grenadines and the Holy See His Excellency, Archbishop Fortunatus (Vatican) established relation on April 17, 1990. Nwachukwu, Apostolic Nuncio-Ambassador to Saint Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu was ordained as Vincent and the Grenadines, presented his Letters of priest on the June 17, 1984, with incardination in the Credence to His Excellency, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Diocese of Aba (Nigeria). He possesses a Doctorate Governor General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Dogmatic Theology and a Doctorate in Canon on Wednesday May 29, 2019. Law. He served in the Apostolic Nunciatures – Holy See Embassies in Ghana, Paraguay, Algeria, at the The Apostolic-Nuncio, Ambassador Nwachukwu is resi- UN Offices and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, dent in Trinidad and Tobago and also has concurrent and at the Secretariat of State at the Vatican – Section accreditation to Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Barba- of Relation with States. dos, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Saint Lucia, Dominica, Guyana, Bahamas and Belize. As Ap- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Com- ostolic Nuncio for the Antilles Episticol Conference merce and by extension the Government of Saint (AEC), His Excellency’s main duties are to maintain Vincent and the Grenadines welcomes His Excellen- relationship between the Pope, the Church, the Govern- cy and wishes him great success as Apostolic Nun- ment and the Peoples where he is accredited. Saint cio to the countries to which he is accredited. Page 4 Republic of China (Taiwan) His Excellency, Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Foreign Minister of the Republic of China (Taiwan) visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines as part of his Caribbean Region Tour His Excellency Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China Signing of the MOU. (Taiwan) visited St. Vincent and L-R: the Grenadines on Wednesday, PS Sandy Peters-Phillips, May 29 – 30, 2019 as part of his Minister Wucand official tour of the Caribbean. Ambassador Chen Ho. His Excellency Dr. Jaushieh Wu was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Wu, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) including the Director-General of the Depart- Arrival of Minister Wu ment of Latin American and Car- and his Delegation at ibbean Affairs, Ambassador Tah- the Argyle Internation- al Airport (AIA) along Ray Yui. with Minister Ceasar, Minister Stephenson, During the official visit, PS Sandy Peters- Phillips and 2018 Miss Foreign Minister Wu toured SVG. several places of interest on in- cumbent St. Vincent and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the procurement of vehicles to assist the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, fol- Minister Wu visited lowed by a tour of the terminal the National building at the Argyle Internation- Botanical Gardens, engaged with the al Airport, which was funded by National Bird of St. the Government of the Republic Vincent and the of China (Taiwan). Grenadines; the Amazona Guildingii Foreign Minister Wu also met with other senior government officials during his official visit. ‘With Strength, Honour and Dignity, we stand Resolute at 40 and Beyond’ St. Vincent and the Grenadines cele- 3. Fort Charlotte and Bridge brated its 40th year of Independence “As SVG prepares to rehabilitation; on October 27, 2019. In celebration of enter its fifth decade this year’s milestone in the nation’s 4. Heritage Square rehabilitation; history, the Government of St. Vincent of post-independence and the Grenadines launched a Renewal 5. Development of Joseph Chatoyer at 40 programme on July 20, 2019 at development, “it is an National Park; the Villa Campus of the St. Vincent and appropriate time to 6. Community Centre refurbishment; the Grenadines Community College. reflect upon the path 7. Renewal at 40 Unit and A number of initiatives and activities we have trod, cele- programmes; have emerged from the Renewal at 40 brate our accomplish- programme which will be held under 8. History of St. Vincent & the he theme: “With Strength, Honour and ments, and refresh Grenadines Documentation and Dignity, we stand Resolute at 40 and Publication; Beyond”. ourselves for the next stage of our inde- 9. Peace Memorial Hall rehabilitation; At the launch on Saturday July 20, 2019, Chairman of the Renewal at 40 pendence journey.” 10. Garifuna and Diaspora Homecoming Committee, Mr. Elvis Charles stated event. that “the programme will target all Hon. Camillo The initiatives put forward are not an sectors of the Vincentian Society.” Gonsalves, extensive list and thus, the Ministry will Minister of Finance, continue to work with agencies for Some of these Renewal at 40 initiatives Economic Planning, initiatives geared towards the national include: Sustainable Development development of St. Vincent and the Gren- adines. 1. School and Learning Resource and Information Centres Refurbishment; Technology 2. Kingstown clean-up; Page 5 Presidential Visit to SVG continue to strengthen the relationship to further deepen existing diplomatic foster greater prospects for trade, people- relations. This is of particular signifi- to-people exchanges, and cooperation in cance as the Government of the Re- oil and gas, agriculture, education, health public of Ghana celebrates the “Year and tourism, as well as investment op- of the Return”, four hundred (400) portunities. years after the start of the slave trade. Prime Minister Gonsalves made an Offi- The President’s visit was part of his cial Visit to the Republic of Ghana in 5-day Caribbean region tour which November, 2018 as part of the process of included visits to the Republic of Guy- cementing deeper cooperation with the ana, the Republic of Trinidad and African continent.