OEA - Documento ACTAS-S C 294 26 de 2026

ORGANIZACIÓN DE LOS ESTADOS AMERICANOS OEA/Ser.G CONSEJO PERMANENTE CP/ACTA 2482/24 (Transcripción) 16 febrero 2024

TRANSCRIPCIÓN DEL ACTA DE LA SESIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA

DEL CONSEJO PERMANENTE DE LA

ORGANIZACIÓN DE LOS ESTADOS AMERICANOS

CELEBRADA EL 16 DE FEBRERO DE 2024

Se ruega a las misiones permanentes enviar a la Secretaría, Unidad de Servicios Editoriales, al correo electrónico ediaz@oas.org, o a la Oficina ADM-G 12 del Edificio Administrativo, dentro del plazo de cinco (5) días laborales a partir del 10 de julio de 2026, las correcciones de forma que consideren necesarias. El acta así corregida será sometida a la aprobación del Consejo Permanente y constituirá la versión final.ii

INDICE

Página Nómina de los miembros que asistieron a la sesión ................................................................................1

Aprobación del proyecto de orden del día ................................................................................................3

Alocución del Excelentísimo señor Alva Baptiste, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora de Santa Lucía...............................3

Intervenciones de los Estados Miembros .................................................................................................8iii

DOCUMENTO CONSIDERADO EN LA SESIÓN

(SE PUBLICA POR SEPARADO)

CP/INF. 10076/24, Nota de la Misión Permanente de Santa Lucía mediante la que solicita que se

DOCUMENTO CONSIDERADO EN LA SESIÓN

(SE PUBLICA POR SEPARADO)

CP/INF. 10076/24, Nota de la Misión Permanente de Santa Lucía mediante la que solicita que se convoque una sesión extraordinaria del Consejo Permanente para recibir al Excmo. señor Alva Baptiste, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora, para las 11:00 a. m. del 16 de febrero de 2024.CONSEJO PERMANENTE DE LA ORGANIZACIÓN DE LOS ESTADOS AMERICANOS

ACTA DE LA SESIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA

CELEBRADA EL 16 DE FEBRERO DE 2024

En la ciudad de Washington, D. C., a las once y veinticinco de la mañana del viernes 16 de febrero de 2024, celebró sesión extraordinaria el Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos para recibir al Excelentísimo señor Al va Baptiste, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora de Santa Lucía. Presidió la sesión el Embajador Daniel Raimondi, Representante Permanente de la Argentina y Presidente del Consejo Permanente. Asistieron los siguientes miembros:

Embajador Samuel Hinds, Representante Permanente de Guyana y Vicepresidente del Consejo Permanente Embajador Ronald Sanders, Representante Permanente de Antigua y Barbuda Embajador Anthony Phillips-Spencer, Representante Permanente de Trinidad y Tobago Embajadora Luz Elena Baños Rivas, Representante Permanente de México Embajadora María del Carmen Roquebert León, Representante Permanente de Panamá Embajador Washington Abdala, Representante Permanente del Uruguay

Embajadora Luz Elena Baños Rivas, Representante Permanente de México Embajadora María del Carmen Roquebert León, Representante Permanente de Panamá Embajador Washington Abdala, Representante Permanente del Uruguay Embajadora Alejandra Solano Cabalceta, Representante Permanente de Costa Rica Embajador Héctor Enrique Arce Zaconeta, Representante Permanente de Bolivia Embajadora Elizabeth Darius-Clarke, Representante Permanente de Santa Lucía Embajador Jan Martin Willem Schalkwijk, Representante Permanente de Suriname Embajador Benoni Belli, Representante Permanente del Brasil Embajador Tarlie Francis, Representante Permanente de Grenada Embajador Steve Ferrol, Representante Permanente del Commonwealth de Dominica Embajadora Jacinth Henry-Martin, Representante Permanente de Saint Kitts y Nevis Embajadora Wendy Jeannette Acevedo Castillo, Representante Permanente de El Salvador Consejera Ana Soledad Sandoval Espínola, Representante Interina del Paraguay Ministro Consejero Gonzalo Mauricio Vásquez Orozco, Representante Interino de Guatemala Ministra Consejera Christobelle Elaine Reece, Representante Interina de Barbados Ministro Consejero Andrés Felipe Sáez Marcuse, Representante Interino de Chile Ministro Consejero Omari Seitu Williams, Representante Alterno de San Vicente y las Granadinas Ministra Adriana Maldonado Ruíz, Representante Alterna de Colombia Consejero Pierre Michel Bonnet, Representante Alterno de Haití Ministra Consejera Saira Esmeralda Ponce Rosales, Representante Alterna de Honduras Ministro Marco Vicente Ponce Villacis, Representante Alterno del Ecuador Ministra Consejera Mabel Armida García Tapia, Representante Alterna de la República Dominicana Ministro Consejero José Roberto Rodríguez Bustamante, Representante Alterno del Perú

Ministro Marco Vicente Ponce Villacis, Representante Alterno del Ecuador Ministra Consejera Mabel Armida García Tapia, Representante Alterna de la República Dominicana Ministro Consejero José Roberto Rodríguez Bustamante, Representante Alterno del Perú Ministra Consejera Cinnamon Elizabeth Bottaro, Representante Alterna de Belize Señor Thomas R. Hastings, Representante Alterno de los Estados Unidos Ministra Delita Elizabeth McCallum, Representante Alterna de Jamaica Primer Secretario Kyle Vernon Sundstrom, Representante Alterno del Canadá- 2También estuvo presente el Secretario General de la Organización, señor Luis Almagro Lemes.- 3El PRESIDENTE: Declaro abierta la presente sesión extraordinaria del Consejo Permanente, convocada a petición de la Misión Permanente de Santa Lucía, de conformidad con los artículos 14 del Estatuto [del Consejo Permanente] y 37 de su Reglamento, con el propósito de recibir al Excelentísimo señor Alva Baptiste, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora de Santa Lucía.

APROBACIÓN DEL PROYECTO DE ORDEN DEL DÍA

El PRESIDENTE: De acuerdo con el artículo 43 del Reglamento [del Consejo Permanente], presento a la consideración del Consejo Permanente el proyecto de orden del día que está contenido en el documento CP/OD-2482/24.

[El proyecto de orden del día contiene los siguientes puntos:

1. Aprobación del orden del día

2. Alocución del Excmo. señor Alva Baptiste, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora de Santa Lucía

1. Aprobación del orden del día

2. Alocución del Excmo. señor Alva Baptiste, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora de Santa Lucía

3. Intervenciones de los Estados Miembros.]

No veo que haya objeciones, así que procedemos a su aprobación. Queda aprobado.

El próximo punto es la alocución del Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Santa Lucía, para lo cual aguardamos que ingrese a la sala.

ALOCUCIÓN DEL EXCELENTÍSIMO SEÑOR ALVA BAPTISTE, MINISTRO DE

RELACIONES EXTERIORES, COMERCIO INTERNACIONAL, AVIACIÓN

CIVIL Y ASUNTOS DE LA DIÁSPORA DE SANTA LUCÍA

El PRESIDENTE: Excelencias, distinguidos colegas, en nombre del Consejo Permanente extiendo nuestra más cordial bienvenida al Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional, Aviación Civil y Asuntos de la Diáspora de Santa Lucía, Ministro Baptiste.

Como Representante Permanente de la Argentina y en mi calidad de Presidente del Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, es un verdadero honor para mí darle la bienvenida a la Casa de las Américas.

Tiene usted el uso de la palabra.

El MINISTRO DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES, COMERCIO INTERNACIONAL, AVIACIÓN CIVIL Y ASUNTOS DE LA DIÁSPORA DE SANTA LUCÍA: Thank you very much,

Chair.

Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Argentina, His Excellency Daniel Raimondi; Secretary General, Luis Almagro; Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the4Chair.

Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Argentina, His Excellency Daniel Raimondi; Secretary General, Luis Almagro; Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the4Organization of American States (OAS), Her Excellency Elizabeth Darius -Clarke; permanent representatives; alternate representatives; permanent observers; staff of the OAS Secretariat; ladies and gentlemen, it always brings me immense pleasure to be in the House of the Americas. I feel as if it is my natural habitat.

As my country celebrates its forty-fifth anniversary of independence next week, February 22, 2024, I bring to you a message which is charged with invaluable significance, and which is the cornerstone of the work of this Organization: the maintenance of dem ocracy and peace in our Hemisphere. We must guard them jealously.

Chair, I have the unsurpassed glory of addressing this august body at a time when we truly celebrate independence from alien rule under the theme “Douvan Ansanm: Building a Nation through Unity, Resilience, and Creativity.” For those who are not familiar with the Creole language, Douvan Ansanm translates to “moving forward together,” thus emphasizing the importance of the unity of our people in navigating the turbulence of the contemporary global political environment [while] attaining a prosperous nation.

As many of you may be aware, Saint Lucia has a very colorful history. From the 1600s up until 1814, when the French ceded Saint Lucia to the British, Saint Lucia shifted “ownership” between French and British rule fourteen times. The British won seven time s and the French, they won seven times, and at the eleventh hour, the French decided to cede Saint Lucia, this beautiful island, to the British.

This is our colonial history; one characterized by persistent war over ownership of our fair Helen. Yet, in spite of this very troublesome history of bondage and exploitation, Saint Lucians stood in the breach, girded their loins, fought for and secured in dependence in 1979. Since then, we have

This is our colonial history; one characterized by persistent war over ownership of our fair Helen. Yet, in spite of this very troublesome history of bondage and exploitation, Saint Lucians stood in the breach, girded their loins, fought for and secured in dependence in 1979. Since then, we have managed to remain a peaceful and relatively successful country, whose economy and society continue to evolve in such a manner as to afford the opportunity for all our citizens —a credible chance —to strive for and achieve a high and sustainable quality of life.

This and several other core national development objectives, such as good public health and education services, access to clean water and sustainable energy, national and citizen security, community development and a balanced and equitable economic growth, have all been built on the platform of respect for and a committed maintenance of the core aspects of democracy.

To be sure, the fact that Saint Lucia —and for that matter, all of the countries in the region of the Caribbean Community—is able to boast of our solid democratic records is a testament to the fact that, irrespective of the spectrum of challenges which we face, we continue to invest in the sanctity of human and individual rights and freedoms. The right to individual choice and association, the freedom of speech and movement, [the right] to own and enjoy property, the important and unabridged responsibility to choose our governments and political managers of state as we deem fit through free and fair elections, and ultimately, the right to life and livelihood unencumbered by unfair, unreasonable, or unconstitutional encroachment by the state are but the core e lements on which we continue to agree to construct a modern society and civilization.

In this regard, over the years, we have seen it as both necessary and strategic to join with other countries—and indeed institutions —at the regional and multilateral levels to build an international5coalition of the like -minded in support of the noble objectives of promoting, entrenching, and sustaining a robust and present practice of democracy in this Hemisphere and elsewhere.

countries—and indeed institutions —at the regional and multilateral levels to build an international5coalition of the like -minded in support of the noble objectives of promoting, entrenching, and sustaining a robust and present practice of democracy in this Hemisphere and elsewhere.

Chair, I can boldly say, without any fear of contradiction, from this space and within these halls, that notwithstanding the numerous instances of challenge to the perfect democracy we aspire to—and there have been many —we, the countries of this Hemisphere , have been able to protect the basic tenet of freedom. For this and more, we should feel a sense of accomplishment as states whose commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of our respective peoples remains strong and abiding.

Ultimately, of course, democracy is but a mere fleeting experience if it is not about the people from whom we as managers of the state get our authority. I dare say, fellow patriots, free and fair elections are a mere symptom of democracy. True and real democracy is to test negative for the misuse and abuse of power, or, conversely, to test positive for the wise and frugal use of power given via the mandate of free and fair elections. Effective leadership and collective effort are the fuel of true and real democracies. Therefore, as policy makers, we need to acknowledge the critical role of the citizenry in the attainment of the democracy that we seek, as we strive to protect and defend the ideals and dynamism of democracy.

But even in light of all of this, Chair, it must be repeated that the practice of democracy requires our continuous attention. And much like any ideal, ideology, or dream, it will not survive if it is not maintained, nourished, and jealously guarded.

When we, as an organization, stand united in our quest towards defending democracy, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. In this light, I must recognize all representatives here for the leadership shown in guiding Guatemala out of what could have been democratic turmoil. The work that member states have done towards the peaceful transition of power in Guatemala must be

nothing that cannot be accomplished. In this light, I must recognize all representatives here for the leadership shown in guiding Guatemala out of what could have been democratic turmoil. The work that member states have done towards the peaceful transition of power in Guatemala must be commended. It is always within our sphere of competence to address issues in a mature and cerebral fashion.

The famous British philosopher [John Locke], whose classical treatises underwrite the modernday system of representative government we currently practice, though himself a self -confessed idealist, nonetheless recognized that democracy could [not] claim an existence in perpetuity. Rather, he and other exponents opined that a constant and dedicated guardianship of democracy and representative government requires all citizens and institutions to not only practice but ultimately protect the very system of freedoms we cherish.

In this regard, it is not without credibility to say, as we come to this place to renew our commitment to our democratic traditions, that democracy across this Hemisphere and the world as a whole is under severe threat. Yes, you might say that threat and challenges to the practice of democracy are nothing new, and surely history is replete with examples of where we, as a people, have been able to face down and defeat such threats. But you, like me, can also concede that today the very foundations of democracy are being challenged not only from within, as has mostly been the case in the past, but now also from without, due to the seeming inattentiveness of global policymakers and institutions to boldly and definitively address some of the biggest crises we face.

And of what crises do I speak? I speak of the crisis at the international level, where the failure of the powerful nations among us to accept responsibility to correct both historical and current global6socioeconomic imbalances between states threatens to create a chasm between developed and developing countries and their peoples. Whether it is in determining how to deal with the issues arising from the climate crisis, the uneven distribution of investment, job creation, and economic accumulation between nations; in correcting historical imbalances caused by the blight of slavery, colonialism, and

developing countries and their peoples. Whether it is in determining how to deal with the issues arising from the climate crisis, the uneven distribution of investment, job creation, and economic accumulation between nations; in correcting historical imbalances caused by the blight of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid through a system of justice for those whose ancestors suffered mightily under that yoke; or in ensuring that a level and fair playing field is created and maintained between countries, such that each citizen of the world can exercise their right to exist and live in peace and security, then democracy, I say, is moving from a state of challenge to a position of crisis.

I speak of a crisis that is revealing its ugly presence in our midst either due to political convenience or, worse, insensitivity, because we, the leaders of this global system of democracy, choose to turn a blind eye to the tyranny unfolding, and we must give careful and sensible treatment to issues that we believe are far away from our Hemisphere, like the developments in Gaza, and, of course, the morbid scenario in Haiti.

I speak of a crisis of confidence in a system of multilateralism, that once held up such hope of cooperation and commitment to the advancement of the global commons, but is now found wanting, even as the fortunes of poor and vulnerable developing countries sink under the weight of high debt, low growth, lack of access to concessional financing, high unemployment, mass migration, uncontrolled crime and violence, and even potential physical extinction from sea level rise and global warming. We all can see, year in, year out, the decimating march of the climate crisis across the social, economic, and environmental fabric of our countries.

I speak surely of a regional and hemispheric system of institutions that, having done so very well during the past decades in managing the bargain of democracy between, among, and within nations in our region, now seemingly stands paralyzed by its own inab ility to stand firmly behind the very democracy it exists to protect.

Chair, I need not go into any detail on this last observation, because the facts are patently

in our region, now seemingly stands paralyzed by its own inab ility to stand firmly behind the very democracy it exists to protect.

Chair, I need not go into any detail on this last observation, because the facts are patently obvious. While we remain hesitant to speak and afraid to act, right in our own backyard, we are letting slip a solemn responsibility to gird our loins and intervene in the most critical crises of our generation. And while we fiddle, Haiti gets worse, Venezuela remains unresolved, and our other brothers and sisters across the Americas are facing a future of uncertainty, fear, and potential abuse that undermines the character of the democratic tradition of this great region.

Chair, the question therefore is, are we the practitioners of statecraft, the elected guardians of this fragile ideal of democracy, going to stand idly by and watch as the challenges which confront us become the crises that destroy us?

The Government and People of Saint Lucia, on whose behalf I have the distinct honor to speak in this honorable [Permanent] Council, believe that it is our solemn responsibility to fight for the cause of justice and peace, not just in our region, but in this Hemisphere and across the entire world.

The Guatemalan human rights activist, feminist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum once said, “Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist wi thout democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.”- 7We subscribe to and support this view to the extent that as the descendants of a people who have suffered the indignities of bondage, but who are equally the inheritors of the fruits of many decades of struggle, we know only too well that what we enjoy tod ay can easily be lost if we fail to protect, nourish, and jealously guard what we have.

And the bedrock of what we have, the platform on which the political, social, and economic

decades of struggle, we know only too well that what we enjoy tod ay can easily be lost if we fail to protect, nourish, and jealously guard what we have.

And the bedrock of what we have, the platform on which the political, social, and economic gains, on which a modern Saint Lucia has been built, is that of a strong and unshakable commitment to the practice of democracy.

Throughout the years since independence, Saint Lucia has had to balance its socioeconomic development and prosperity against the onslaught of numerous external demands, external shocks, and existential threats. From the unbalanced yoke of globalization in which the spectrum of benefits seemingly goes to the more advanced economies and the fallout [affects] the vulnerable economies, to the impact of a climate crisis to which our contribution is minimal but [whose] fallout maximum, or the clearly disproportio nate impact of the wars, pandemics, and global economic readjustments that have [affected] our countries and citizens, we continue to manage in difficult and dangerous times. We continue to navigate a global political environment which is pregnant with the seeds of our country's continued marginalization.

But manage we have, and today we continue to stand strong in the breach. Why? Because we have chosen and sworn a solemn commitment to the protection and advancement of democracy within our country and across the world. And just as we have done for ourselves, so too must we [do] for and with our brothers and sisters in this Hemisphere.

As such, today Saint Lucia reaffirms its commitment to the inter -American system, to those institutions which we have together worked with so diligently over the years to build up, expand, and entrench the practice of democracy in this region. We are the g uardians of the rights and freedoms of all our people.

Sir, we absolutely reconfirm our support for this OAS, its councils, and committees, as the agents and agencies which operate on the frontline of the struggle to ensure that all of our citizens can live a life free of the fear of tyranny, abuse, and dispos session, and build societies in which equity,

Sir, we absolutely reconfirm our support for this OAS, its councils, and committees, as the agents and agencies which operate on the frontline of the struggle to ensure that all of our citizens can live a life free of the fear of tyranny, abuse, and dispos session, and build societies in which equity, good governance, and sustainable livelihoods are seen as the rule rather than the exception.

Chair, in recommitting to these causes, we believe that it is absolutely critical that this Organization, with its long and rich history as a broker for peace and a champion for justice in this Hemisphere, stands up and leads the regional effort to nip [any] and all challenges to the sustainability of our democratic system in the bud.

The time for fence -sitting, wishing for the best outcome, or just turning a blind eye to the presence of actions and actors who do not wish our democracies well is over. We must all recommit ourselves to fight for the rights and freedoms of our people, just as we must, out of necessity, lead the efforts at ensuring citizen security and safety, free and fair elections, freedom of speech, the enjoyment of private property and the press, the elimination of corruption, and the equitable distribution of the gains of national output.- 8Nothing worth having is won without a fight or without effort. We in Saint Lucia know this only too well, Chair. We are also well aware that any system or organism left unattended and undernourished will fall into disrepair and ultimately disappear from existence as it withers and dies.

I close with the words of the poet, Nikolai Ostrovsky: “Man's dearest possession is life. It is given to him but once, and he must live it so as to feel no torturing regrets for wasted years, never know the burning shame of a mean and petty past; so live that, dying, he might say: all my life, all my strength were given to the finest cause in all the world──the fight for the Liberation of Mankind.”

Let it not be said that we who are now charged with the responsibility of maintaining our fragile

the burning shame of a mean and petty past; so live that, dying, he might say: all my life, all my strength were given to the finest cause in all the world──the fight for the Liberation of Mankind.”

Let it not be said that we who are now charged with the responsibility of maintaining our fragile systems of democracy and development failed our people in their greatest hour of need. A threat to one remains a threat to all.

Muchas Gracias. Merci. Thank you very much.

[Aplausos.]

El PRESIDENTE: Su Excelencia, muchísimas gracias por sus palabras, especialmente por su renovado compromiso con los ideales y principios que inspiran y guían a nuestra Organización de los Estados Americanos, en particular en estos momentos, en que enfrentamos enormes desafíos y severas crisis en distintas partes del mundo que ponen en tela de juicio los valores de la democracia, de los derechos humanos, del respeto a la diversidad, entendida en su sentido más amplio, así como [los valores de] la seguridad y del desarrollo integral en beneficio de nuestros pueblos.

INTERVENCIONES DE LOS ESTADOS MIEMBROS

El PRESIDENTE: Ofrezco la palabra a las delegaciones que quieran intervenir y tengo ya solicitudes.

Empezamos por el Representante Permanente de Antigua y Barbuda. Por favor, adelante.

El REPRESENTANTE PERMANENTE DE ANTIGUA Y BARBUDA: Thank you very much, Chair.

Minister, I am especially honored to welcome you to this special session of the Permanent Council as we approach the momentous occasion of Saint Lucia's forty -fifth anniversary of independence from Britain, notwithstanding the other seven victories of France.

I vividly recall the mixed feelings of accomplishment and uncertainty that pervaded both the leadership and the people of Saint Lucia at that pivotal time in 1979. The journey towards

independence from Britain, notwithstanding the other seven victories of France.

I vividly recall the mixed feelings of accomplishment and uncertainty that pervaded both the leadership and the people of Saint Lucia at that pivotal time in 1979. The journey towards independence, marked by the daunting challenge of assuming full responsi bility for state affairs, including defense and security —and notably the task of financing those responsibilities —was formidable.

Yet the leadership of Saint Lucia wisely chose a path of independence within a framework of interdependence. Consequently, Saint Lucia became a founding member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), a pioneering initiative [through which] several countries opted to share9critical institutions, like a common central bank, a single currency, and a joint judiciary, which would have been prohibitively expensive for any single island to establish alone.

I had at that time the distinct pleasure of contributing to the creation of the OECS and living and working in the beautiful island of Saint Lucia as part of that groundbreaking effort. The OECS today stands as a shining example of regional integration, ac hieving remarkable levels of unity including the freedom of movement of people, thus bolstering independence and democracy in the subregion.

Over the past forty -five years, Saint Lucia has constructed robust physical and social infrastructures—which you described earlier —a testament to the resilience of a small island state determined to overcome global challenges, including adverse trade condi tions, limited access to development financing, and the intensifying impacts of climate change, of which Saint Lucia has been one of the greatest victims.

Despite these hurdles, your country is courageously tackling modern challenges, such as the rise in crime and gang violence, with commendable resolve.

And Minister, as you so eloquently pointed out this morning, Saint Lucia, like the majority of other countries of the Caribbean Community, is a bastion of democracy that protects human rights and freedoms, and does so relentlessly.

The island's intellectual contributions, evidenced by Nobel laureates Professor Sir Arthur

And Minister, as you so eloquently pointed out this morning, Saint Lucia, like the majority of other countries of the Caribbean Community, is a bastion of democracy that protects human rights and freedoms, and does so relentlessly.

The island's intellectual contributions, evidenced by Nobel laureates Professor Sir Arthur Lewis in economics and poet Derek Walcott in literature, underscore the rich intellectual heritage and potential of the Saint Lucian people. This reinforces the soli d intellectual foundation of Saint Lucia and the capacity of its people to sustain the progress achieved since independence.

Minister, you have aptly highlighted the challenges and threats that Saint Lucia faces in today's world. Rightfully, you seek not charity, not a handout, but a hand up from the international community to support Saint Lucia in maintaining its vibrant democ racy, which champions human rights for all, including the pursuit of social justice and grea