New York, June 17, 2026 — Saint Kitts and Nevis joined fellow Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in a symbolic signing of the Charter of the United Nations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Organization. Representing the Federation at the ceremony was Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, who participated alongside her CARICOM counterparts in reaffirming the region’s enduring commitment to the principles and ideals embodied in the Charter.
The ceremony served as a solemn reaffirmation on the significance of the Charter, signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, which laid the foundation for a rules-based international order dedicated to maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, advancing social progress, and fostering cooperation among nations. Eight decades later, the Charter remains the cornerstone of the multilateral system and a powerful expression of the international community’s collective aspirations for peace, justice, and human dignity.
The participation of Saint Kitts and Nevis alongside its CARICOM partners reflected a shared commitment to the values of international cooperation, sovereign equality, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Since its establishment in 1973, CARICOM has championed regional integration and collective diplomacy, recognizing that unity and collaboration are essential to advancing the interests and aspirations of Caribbean peoples. Through the United Nations, CARICOM Member States have consistently advocated for sustainable development, climate resilience, international law, and the unique circumstances of Small Island Developing States.
In an era characterized by increasingly complex global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development imperatives, public health concerns, humanitarian crises, and evolving security dynamics, the principles enshrined in the Charter remain as relevant today as they were eighty years ago. The symbolic signing therefore represented not only a commemoration of a historic document, but also a renewed affirmation of the shared responsibility of all nations to strengthen international cooperation, foster dialogue and mutual understanding, and work collectively toward a more peaceful, just, and sustainable future.
Commenting on the occasion, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, stated:
“The United Nations Charter stands as one of humanity’s most important expressions of our shared commitment to peace, cooperation, and respect for the sovereign equality of nations. As we mark its 80th anniversary, Saint Kitts and Nevis proudly reaffirms its faith in multilateralism and in the capacity of nations, working together, to address the challenges of our time. For small states, the United Nations remains an indispensable institution through which our voices are heard, our interests advanced, and our contributions to global progress realized.”
Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams further underscored the significance of the commemoration, noting:
“This symbolic signing serves as a powerful reminder that the principles of the Charter are not merely historical ideals but living commitments that continue to guide the conduct of nations. For Saint Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean Community, the Charter remains a source of both protection and purpose—affirming the sovereign equality of all states while providing a framework through which we can collectively pursue sustainable development, peace, and human dignity. Our participation today reflects our unwavering commitment to these principles and to a strengthened multilateral system capable of meeting the aspirations of present and future generations.”
The symbolic signing stands as a testament to the steadfast commitment of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the wider CARICOM Community to preserving and strengthening the international order established under the Charter. As the United Nations enters its ninth decade, Saint Kitts and Nevis remains resolute in its support for effective multilateralism and the collective pursuit of peace, sustainable development, and prosperity for all.
