In early January, St. Kitts and Nevis assumed chairmanship of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC). This body is one of the five United Nations Regional Groups composed of 33 Member States from Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The role was carried out by Her Excellency, Dr. Mutryce Williams, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. St. Vincent and the Grenadines will assume chairmanship.

Her Excellency capitalized on the opportunity to pursue potential partnerships as the federation advances with its Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA). Engagements were had with Ms. Anacláudia Marinheiro Centeno Rossbach, Executive Director of UN Habitat. It is a United Nations Programme that promotes socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements or towns, and works on providing adequate shelter for all.

Speaking on the experience as chairman, Dr. Williams expressed “Latin America and the Caribbean are our neighborhood, and many of us share the same sea and space. This compels us to work more closely together.”