Notwithstanding being a small island developing state, St. Kitts and Nevis has again raised the profile of the Federation on the multilateral stage, as one of the 184 Member States of the specialised UN agency, UNESCO, based in Paris.
At the end of September this year, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ambassador to UNESCO, H.E. Dr. David P. DOYLE, will step down as President of the Circle of Permanent Delegates to UNESCO, a club of accredited ambassadors to the agency.
Set up over 25 years ago, the Circle is a unique for a bringing together UNESCO Ambassadors – after working hours – to get acquainted with each other, engage in informal exchanges of views, and, foster intra-cultural understanding, in a distinctly collegial context.
Stated Ambassador Doyle: “It constitutes a compelling opportunity for many ambassadors, and their staff, with diplomatic status – both newly accredited and long-serving officials – to get acquainted with each other, outside the more formal UNESCO organs, share experiences, and most importantly of all, contribute to one of UNESCO’s key virtues: fostering mutual understanding through inter-cultural dialogue”.
During his mandate over the past 18 months, Ambassador Doyle has presided over a number of cultural activities hosted by the Circle, ranging from a celebratory evening to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Circle of Permanent Delegates – attended by Ambassadors from all the Continents, to a piano concert by the Artist of UNESCO for Peace, and world-renowned pianist, Mr. Serguey Markarov, held at the UNESCO diplomatic mission of the Federation of Russia.
Membership to the Circle of Delegates is open to the 184 Member States who have established Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, and 2 Permanent Observers and 10 intergovernmental organizations with Permanent Observer Missions to UNESCO.
Noted Ambassador Doyle: “St. Kitts & Nevis is proud to have participated in the legacy of the Circle of Delegates built up over the past 25 years, as occasions to facilitate friendship and inter-cultural dialogue in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere amongst the wider UNESCO community”.
Concurring with this view, Mr Antonio Maynard, Secretary-General of the St. Kitts & Nevis National Commission for UNESCO, noted: “St. Kitts & Nevis’ active role in the Circle of Delegates demonstrates the country’s commitment to UNESCO, not only in terms of benefiting from the agency’s expertise in culture, education and science, but also in cultivating bilateral relationships with ambassadors from 184 Member States”.
Amongst the other bodies St. Kitts & Nevis has been involved with is the Group of Small Island Developing States to UNESCO – some 38 SIDS representing 20% of the UN membership, which was established by the Federation in 2006. Ambassador Doyle held the role of founding Chairman for the period 2006 to 2016.