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ICT Applications in Agriculture

ICT Applications in Agriculture

Belizean officer in the Ministry of AGRICULTURE participates in workshop on ICT Applications in Agriculture in Taiwan.

The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that to strengthen the exchanges and share experiences with friendly countries, the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) invited the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, to recommend an officer to participate in the Workshop on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Applications in Agriculture to be held from June 22nd to July 5th, 2016 in Taiwan. The aforementioned workshop will be hosted by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF).
Mr. Gary Anthony Ramirez, the Director of Research and Development from the said Ministry, was recommended and invited to join the course. Mr. Ramirez’s present job duties include consultation with the Chief Agriculture Officer and Central Farm Station Manager, coordination of project preparation and submission, assistance in the designing, revision and establishment of crop trial plots, and planning of the execution of promotional and public education activities for major agricultural events, etc.  His professional field is related to the workshop on ICT Application in Agriculture, aiming to deepen skills on the Prediction and Information for Crop Production, the Agricultural ICT Application in Pest Management, RFID Technology Application in Traceable Agricultural Products(TAP), the Agricultural Products Marketing Strategies of Smart Agriculture, Agricultural E-Commerce Marketing Skills and Innovative Case Study, and so on. Through attending this Workshop in Taiwan he wishes to enhance his knowledge and apply on his work to benefit the section.

ILO Director meets with Caribbean Delegation

ILO
Director-General, International Labour Organization, Guy Rider (c) stands with representatives of the Caribbean Delegation including TT Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development, Senator the Honourable Jennifer Baptiste-Primus (2nd from left). (Photo courtesy the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development)

June 9, 2016: Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) met with representatives of the Caribbean Delegation on Tuesday June 07, 2016 at the 105th Session of the International Labour Conference, which is currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development, Senator the Honourable Jennifer Baptiste-Primus is leading Trinidad and Tobago’s Delegation at the Conference. Trinidad and Tobago is the only Caribbean country that sits on the ILO’s Governing Body, where its executive meets three times a year, in March, June and November.
A critical role of the Governing Body is to take decisions on ILO policy, decide the agenda of the International Labour Conference, adopt the draft Programme and Budget of the Organization for submission to the Conference, and elect the Director-General.

OECS Launches OECS YES Youth Initiative

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States has officially launched an OECS Youth Strategy under the brand OECS YES.

This strategy was developed based on the need for greater attention and action to issues directly affecting OECS youth. The goal of this initiative is to develop a Youth Empowered Society by focusing on key areas crucial to young people:

  • YES I Belong – Citizenship & Identity
  • YES I Earn – Employment & Entrepreneurship
  • YES I Express – Creativity & Culture
  • YES I Inherit – Environment & Sustainable Development
  • YES I Learn – Education & Training
  • YES I Matter – Child & Youth Protection
  • YES I Move – Healthy Lifestyles

OECS YESThe campaign will have a significant digital component which will be led by Digital Marketing Consultant to the OECS – Anushka Singh.
“This is more than just marketing to young people through social media. Our goal here is to create a movement through social media where young people can collaborate and use their voices to impact change across the region.”
Director General of the OECS Dr. Didacus Jules expressed his confidence in the innovative strategy in engaging youth from across the region for better socio-economic outcomes.
“The Youth demographic are increasingly playing a central role in how the social fabric and societies of the OECS will be shaped into the future.  It is vital we empower youth to take control of their future and to harness their collective views through a range of innovative digital mediums. The shaping of this Strategy involves a crowdsourcing of ideas from the youth themselves – we are inviting the youth of the region to tell us what are their aspirations, tell us what are the things that they would like to see put in place that they can take responsibility for to shape their own destiny!
A feature of this initiative will also be a Digital Internship Programme –  whereby young persons will be able to learn Digital Marketing skills underneath the leadership of Ms Singh, while contributing to the development and execution of the online campaign.
Applications for the Digital Internship Programme are due on June 22nd.
Want to be a part of the OECS YES Movement? Follow OECS YES on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit  www.oecs.org/oecsyes for more information.

SVG Electric Mobility Workshop

Electric Mobility

St. Vincent And The Grenadines Electric Mobility Workshop

To minimise environmental risk and encourage economic growth by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, the second regional electricity mobility conference under the German Agency for International Co-operation’s (GIZ), Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance (REETA) project, was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room on Monday, 30th May.  It was spearheaded in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the CARICOM Secretariat.
The conference, which included a road show at Heritage Square on Thursday, 2nd June, had as its main objective, to create a deeper understanding and to raise awareness on electric transport options and opportunities for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Sustainable Energy Project Officer with the REETA project, Mr. Ken Aldonza, expressed gratitude to participants for attending the electric mobility conference. He added that the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development is pleased to support the conference to build capacity in the region for transition into electric mobility technologies.
Voicing his support for the implementation of electric mobility in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Mr. Hudson Nedd, stated that this is needed in the country because “we are a big consumer of energy, fossil fuels”.  From the onset of discussions about electric mobility in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Nedd explained that the topic caught their eyes because their Ministry is responsible for providing transportation, particularly for students.
He further pointed out that the rising cost of energy is a very important matter for the Government, as the Ministry of Transport and Works alone, consumes a significant amount of fuel in an effort to fulfil its mandate under the various programs and projects.
Head of the Promoting Access to Clean Energy Services, (PACES), project, Dr. Alston Stoddard, noted that while many CARICOM countries have economic projections for the future, they fail to consider the rising energy needs of the transportation sector. According to Dr. Stoddard, St. Vincent and the Grenadines received $1.7 million from the UNDP to start its PACES project.  With part of that monetary contribution, the Energy Unit built a charging station on the grounds of the Financial Complex on Bay Street, Kingstown.
Mr. Stoddard referred to the implementation of electric mobility in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as bringing a novel idea to our people.  He pointed out that it is critical that our people start to consider the options that they have for the future.
Project Manager for Energy and Head of the Energy Unit at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Devon Gardner, highlighted important considerations that policymakers should implement to deliver market transformation on electric mobility. “Policy requires clear political will and nothing demonstrates political will better than action,” stressed Dr. Gardner.  He added that policymakers and the implementing bodies should see that policy requirements are fulfilled for it to succeed.
Other presentations in the electric mobility conference came from the private sector on charging infrastructure and electric vehicles suppliers, megapowers, shared experiences; electric vehicles owners and maintenance specialists; and utility interests – GRENLEC, VINLEC, LUCELEC.

Jamaica and Cuba to Deepen Collaboration

Jamaica and Cuba

Jamaica and Cuba to Identify Ways to Deepen Collaboration

Jamaica and Cuba have pledged to identify ways to deepen collaboration and exchanges in trade, tourism, climate change, disaster mitigation, culture and education.
This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 7.
Providing details on the Association of Caribbean States Summit held in Cuba on June 4, the Prime Minister said during discussions with President Raúl Castro, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to examining the possibilities at the bilateral level, to improve the current state of economic relations and methods for expansion, in light of the new dynamics in United States-Cuba relations.
“I reiterated Jamaica’s unwavering commitment to continue the call for an end to the economic embargo against Cuba and to ensure that this call is maintained until it is lifted, and that Cuba can operate without the strictures of the unilateral action by the United States,” Mr. Holness said.
Among the possible areas identified for immediate action are stronger mechanisms for cooperation in culture, through music and the creative industries.
Mr. Holness said the commitment was made to explore initiatives for the provision of increased language training on both sides, emphasising the provision of English language training to assist Cuba, as required, as they prepare to receive greater inflows of visitors.
“We addressed the grave challenges associated with climate change and sea level rise on the region and the potential consequences on human lives and economic development,” he noted.
Mr. Holness said they agreed, as a priority, to share experiences and best practices at the institutional level, adding that Cuba offered to provide experts to further advance data gathering, modelling and projections for mitigation, and the definition of appropriate responses by the State.
MoU Signed
Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Multi-destination Tourism was signed by the Attorney General, Marlene Malahoo Forte, and the Tourism Minister of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz, on June 4.
Mr. Holness said both countries have committed to having their respective competent Ministries define the appropriate mechanisms to implement the MoU in a manner that brings mutual tangible benefits.
“We acknowledged the importance of working together expeditiously to facilitate the movement of peoples through the region to support Multi-destination Tourism for the Caribbean,” he added.
The Prime Minister said an invitation was extended to the Cuban President to pay an official visit to Jamaica at a time to be determined through diplomatic channels.
The Association of Caribbean States was established on July 24, 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, with the aim of increasing cooperation among countries of the Greater Caribbean in four principal areas – the preservation and conservation of the Caribbean Sea; sustainable tourism; trade development and economic external relations; and transport and disaster risk reduction.

LUCELEC helps Team Saint Lucia go for cooking gold

Culinary Team

Castries, June 7, 2016 – The nine-member Team Saint Lucia to the Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition is currently in Miami to take on more than ten (10) other countries in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s annual competition for Caribbean chefs.

Saint Lucia’s participation in the regional Taste of the Caribbean competition is organized by the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA). As part of its preparations, the SLHTA hosted a series of practice dinners where patrons paid to taste the culinary delights of Team Saint Lucia as part of the training to fine tune their respective specialities ahead of their food battles. The revenue from the practice dinners together with sponsorship from corporate entities helped to cover the costs associated with the team’s participation in the competition.
St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) has consistently supported Saint Lucia’s participation in the culinary competition, and did so again this year.   Corporate Communications Manager Roger Joseph says the competition helps to turn the spotlight on a unique aspect of the island’s tourism product.
“The global attention that Saint Lucia gets from its participation in the competition, especially when our team does well, is phenomenal.  We believe our support contributes in a very tangible way to promoting another excellent reason to visit Saint Lucia.  This positive exposure eventually converts into tourists coming to Saint Lucia and the resultant positive impacts on the economy,” he explained.
Team Saint Lucia is managed by Rodroy Thomas and includes the Taste of the Caribbean 2015 Junior Chef of the Year Edna Butcher who will look to defend her title. Last year Team Saint Lucia captured two gold medals and five silver medals in addition to the Overall Cheesecake of the Year Award.
Taste of the Caribbean 2016 is being held under the theme “Island Pride 2016” from June 6-10.

New Government of Saint Lucia

Allen Chastanet
Hon. Allen Chastanet - Newly Elected Prime Minister of Saint Lucia

OECS Commission Congratulates the new Government of Saint Lucia

Castries, June 07, 2015-The OECS Commission extends heartiest congratulations to the newly elected Government of Saint Lucia and Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet following the electoral victory of the United Workers Party at the general elections of June 06, 2016.
The Commission is heartened by the peaceful conduct of the elections and commends the electorate and the political parties for the restraint and high level of maturity which was manifested throughout the process.
The OECS Commission looks forward to welcoming the newly elected Government of Saint Lucia into the OECS family, and assures the Government and people of its continued commitment to service and to the promotion of the country’s interests as a member of the OECS Economic Union regionally and internationally. In this regard, the Commission recommits to working closely with the Government of Saint Lucia in furtherance of the objectives of the country and of the Organisation.
The OECS Commission takes the opportunity to express sincere thanks to the outgoing Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Dr. Kenny Anthony for his contribution to the work of the Organisation, and for the guidance and support extended to the Commission during his tenure as Head of Government.

Peace Process in Colombia

Peace Process in Colombia

Report of the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia Presents Recommendations and Challenges to the Peace Process

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) today received the twenty-first semi-annual report of the Secretary General on the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OEA), which includes the main observations regarding the peace process that is underway in the country.
The report presented by the Chief of Staff of the Secretary General, Gonzalo Koncke, notes that “the path traveled to date confirms that we are now in the final stages of the internal armed conflict that has afflicted this country for over half a century. Today more than ever, peace is a real possibility and a true imperative, above all for those who have suffered most from the conflict’s unfortunate effects. The country’s remotest territories clamor for stability and security, which would make it possible for their societies and economies to freely develop with state support and without the disturbing effects of armed confrontations,” and acknowledges the progress made by the Colombian government at the negotiating table with the FARC-EP and the willingness to dialogue with the ELN.
The document includes a series of recommendations to the Colombian state with a view to promote the construction of a stable and lasting peace that provides guarantee of rights to the various stakeholders, among them the victims, community leaders, women, ethnic groups and the demobilized population.
The member countries of the Organization highlighted the “valuable contribution of the MAPP” and reiterated their commitment to peace in Colombia. For his part, the Permanent Representative of Colombia, Andres Gonzalez, said that the Mission in Colombia “is one of the most relevant, successful, balanced, and appropriate expressions of international cooperation” and stressed the usefulness of the contributions and recommendations contained in the MAPP reports as well as the work of monitoring and support of Colombia’s internal armed conflict.
Since 2004, the MAPP/OAS has been provided broad and flexible support to the policy of peace in the country, monitoring and accompanying efforts to build peace in the territories affected by armed conflict and interacting with all stakeholders involved in this process. The report covers activities for the period from February to August 2015.

Hon. Patrick Faber Sworn in as Deputy PM

Patrick Faber

Hon. Patrick FaberBelmopan. June 7, 2016.   The Hon. Patrick Faber was today sworn in as the new Deputy Prime Minister of Belize by the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan.

Hon. Patrick Faber was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister after recently being elected as the new First Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Party. He is succeeding the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Gaspar Vega.
After being sworn in, Hon. Faber thanked all those who supported him during his bid for Deputy Party Leader. The new Deputy Prime Minister pledged his support to the Prime Minister of Belize, the Governor General and other leaders of the country as he works with them in the continuing development of Belize.
Present at the ceremony were Hon. Faber’s family, friends and supporters along with members of the Cabinet and other government officials.
 

PM Mitchell Congratulates St. Lucia’s PM

Keith Mitchell

Prime Minister Mitchell Congratulates St. Lucia’s Chastanet and His New Administration

T. GEORGE’S, GRENADA,Tuesday 7th June, 2016 – GIS: Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, has extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister-Elect of St. Lucia, Honourable Allen Chastanet and his United Worker’s Party for their victory at the polls in Monday’s general elections.
In what Prime Minister Mitchell referred to as a “convincing victory,” he urged the incoming prime minister to use the considerable confidence that the people have placed in his party “to chart the course toward a new era of governance and growth.”
Prime Minister Mitchell assured the new leader that St. Lucia has the continued commitment of the Government and people of Grenada to further deepen the traditionally close relationship that exists between the two countries, as they work together for the betterment of the two nations, and the region as a whole.
According to Dr. Mitchell, the leaders of CARICOM today are “serving at a defining moment, as each of the individual countries face severe economic challenges.
We have a unique opportunity to forge a new path for our countries’ future; and even while we work to do so within our own borders, the spirit of regional collaboration must prevail.”
In Monday’s elections in St. Lucia, the United Workers Party defeated Dr. Kenny Anthony and the incumbent St. Lucia Labour Party 11 to 6 seats, to form the new Government.
Grenada’s New National Party, which is led by Dr. Keith Mitchell, is a sister party to the United Worker’s Party, under the Caribbean Democratic Union.

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