2011 Grenada Independence Nominations for Awards

Members of the public are invited to submit written nominations for the 2011 Independence Award

For the following categories:

• Outstanding contribution in the area of Education

• Outstanding contribution in the area of cultural development

• Outstanding contribution in social development and welfare

• Outstanding group- contribution to community -development

Candidates for an award must be Grenadian by birth, descent or naturalization within the community in the United States, not including anyone awarded in previous years. The candidate for an award should be nominated based on contributions made in the advancement of the Grenadian Community in the United States and or link to the development of the Grenadian populace in Grenada.

Special consideration will be given to candidate’s area of focus and the ultimate benefit of their contributions to society. Selections will be made without regard to age, citizenship status, ability, gender/sex, marital status, political persuasion, religion, or level of formal education.

Any individual or group considering a candidate for an award, must submit a written nomination which should include a biography and or citation including a history of service relating to the category for which the award is being sought.

If you feel strongly about a person or group deserving an award, and meeting the criteria, please submit a nomination with the above listed documentation to the Independence Awards Committee.

Proposed Citation (not more than 25 carefully edited words that reflect specific achievements).

 

Nominations must be submitted (signed by the nominator) including name, address and telephone number to:

The Chairperson 2011 Awards Committee

Grenada Independence Anniversary Committee of NY (GIACONY}

C/O Grenada Consulate

800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K

New York, NY 10017

Deadline: December 31, 2010

Delegates begin arriving for COP16 in Cancun

by Michael Bascombe

CANCUN, Mexico, November 26, 2010 - Members of the Grenada delegation have begun arriving to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Summit known as the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in the Mexican Resort city of Cancun. Lead negotiators Leon Charles and Dr Spencer Thomas, both of Grenada, have been chairing pre-sessional meetings on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

The delegation, which will provide administrative and other logistical support for AOSIS and its 43 members, will also include government officials who will engage in bilateral meetings with other countries and organisations.

Among the objectives of the pre-conference meetings are to further prepare AOSIS delegates for participation in the Cancun negotiations as they sought clarity on negotiating strategies; political and diplomatic strategies as well as resource identification and mobilisation and fast start financing strategy.

The meetings, which are being held ahead of the official opening of the summit on November 29, are also reviewing proposals and positions from AOSIS member countries and identifying desired outcomes from the High Level Summit.

"We come here ready to work and on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada I extend appreciation for your continued confidence in the Chair of AOSIS," said Ambassador Dessima Williams, substantive chair of the grouping.

Delegates from AOSIS are also discussing reports from recent pre-COP meetings including the Ministerial meeting hosted by Grenada earlier this month.

The Chair of AOSIS, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, is expected to join the delegation on December 4.

THE CAPTAINS OF FIVE OF THE FINAL EIGHT GET THEIR HANDS ON THE DIGICEL CUP

Thursday, November 5th 2010 – Fort de France, Martinique: With 16 thrilling encounters to go, the final eight teams that make up the Digicel Caribbean Cup Groups H and I all have high hopes of making it into the top four. The Captains of five of the final eight teams got their chance to hold the Digicel Cup today at the Hotel Pierre et Vacances in Martinique.

Group H matches kick off tomorrow when Trinidad & Tobago take on Cuba and hosts, Martinique, face Grenada. Group I matches begin on Saturday with Guyana facing Guadeloupe and current champions, Jamaica, taking on Antigua & Barbuda.

All final matches will be aired live throughout the Caribbean and on an as-live basis on FOX Television in North America – for free.

For more information – as well as ways to win with Digicel – log onto www.digicelfootball.com, and get the very latest news, images and results as they happen. The site provides all the up-to-date information on every single match and event relating to the Digicel Caribbean Cup, including live match reports, team information and a comprehensive image bank from every match played. In addition, video highlights from stage one and two of the competition are available online showing some of the best action from the top teams throughout the tournament.

PHOTO CAPTION: The Captains – from left to right – Stephane Auvray (Guadeloupe); George Dublin (Antigua & Barbuda); Anthony Modeste (Grenada); Clyde Leon (Trinidad & Tobago); Heine Coloma Valencia (Cuba) get their hands on the Digicel Cup this afternoon at the Hotel Pierre et Vacances in Martinique ahead of the DCC 2010 finals which kick off tomorrow.

SOURCE: DIGICEL

Grenada Embassy in Brussels to host Investment Symposium

BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 25, 2010 - The Embassy of Grenada to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community will jointly host the first Grenada Investment symposium in Brussels next month.

The December 14 event will be taking place at a critical time in the economic life of Grenada, as the country seeks to attract Foreign Direct Investment to help cushion the effects of the domestic economic downturn which accompanied the global economic crisis, according to Grenada’s Ambassador to the Kingdoms of Belgium, Netherlands and the European Union, Stephen Fletcher.

The symposium will be held under the theme, “Grenada - A Spicy Investment Opportunity Awaits you, and will take place at the Softiel Hotel in Brussels.

According to Ambassador Fletcher, the theme was deliberately chosen as it seeks to maintain and promote the Grenada brand, as the “SPICE ISLAND.”

“The destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 to the spice industry has the potential of diminish Grenada’s global brand as the “spice country”, since the production and export of the spices, particularly nutmeg have declined significantly,” said Fletcher. Therefore the theme selected aims to reinforce the brand in the market place, he added.

The main objectives of the symposium are to encourage and attract European Foreign Investment to Grenada; promote Grenada as preferred investment destination in the Caribbean; inform and educate the investment community in Brussels on the benefits of investing in Grenada and to highlight the generous fiscal and other incentives which are available to investors in Grenada.

The symposium targets investors, investment institutions, and investment support institutions, such as the Centre for the Development Enterprises, and the European Investment Bank.

Investment representatives from Grenada would provide participants with an overview of the investment climate on the island and the available opportunities in such areas as financial services; oil and gas; alternative energy; maritime transport; health and wellness; information communication technology; manufacturing; infrastructure (road construction, telecommunications, etc); agriculture, fisheries and agri-business; research and development in various sectors and creative industry.

The Grenada delegation, comprising public and private sector officials, will also include the Director for Private Sector Development in the Ministry of Finance, Christopher De Riggs and Ronald Theodore of the Grenada Industrial Development Corporation. A number of local private investors are also expected to attend the symposium.

The staging of the symposium comes on the heels of a report by the Doing Business 2011 that Grenada was among 10 economies worldwide that most improved their business environment in the past year.

Prime Minister regrets the resignation of MP Michael Church

From the Office of the Prime Minister

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA; MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2010 – Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas has expressed regret over the resignation of Mr. Michael Church, as a member of his Cabinet.

“It is always a traumatic experience for a government to lose one of its members, especially at a time when all hands are needed in the rebuilding of our nation,” the Prime Minister said.

He praised the former Minister of the Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development for his leadership of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and his contribution to the fight against global warming in the International arena.

The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to Mr. Church for his service to the Administration.

“I thank MP Michael Church for his contribution to my administration over the past two years. We have committed to continue working together for the development of the St. John’s constituency and the country,” the Prime Minister said Monday.

He wished Mr. Church well in his future endeavors and hopes that his ministerial contribution will help to inform his contribution to the policies of the administration in Parliament.

In Aid Of Disaster Relief

DG Cultural Performers brought back memories of yesteryear as they opened the show to Grenadians and friends who turned out in their numbers to support the Annual Disaster Relief Fundraising Event, this year, a Variety Show, held at Nettlefold Hall, West Norwood Library, South East London, on Saturday November 20th.

Grenadian Community Groups in the United Kingdom, came together to host the event which included performances in song, drama and dance. The performers, spanning a range of age groups, volunteered their time and talent to the cause and were well-received and appreciated by the audience.

High Commissioner Ruth Rouse commended Mr. Anthony Noel, Chairperson of the Disaster Relief Fundraising Committee and his team, for their dedicated and continuous service in supporting Grenada and enhancing the well-being of its citizens.

The first such event was held in January of 2000, following the storm surge which impacted Grenada in November of 1999. The fundraising effort continues on an annual basis and whenever the need arises, provides relief assistance.

High Commission for Grenada, London, UK – November 20, 2010

IMF Executive Board Completes First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility for Grenada and Approves US$1.95 Million Disbursement

Press Release No. 10/450


November 19, 2010

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed its first review of Grenada’s economic performance under the three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The Executive Board also approved the modification of the end-December 2010 performance criterion on non-concessional debt for the completion of an agriculture feeder road project. In addition, the Executive Board completed the financing assurances review. Completion of the first and financing assurances reviews enables Grenada to draw an amount equivalent to SDR 1.25 million (about US$1.95 million) immediately, bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 2.525 million (about US$3.94 million).

The Executive Board approved the three-year ECF arrangement for Grenada in April 2010 (see Press Release No. 10/133) in the amount of SDR 8.775 million (about US$13.69 million, or

75 percent of Grenada’s quota in the Fund).

Following the Executive Board’s discussion of Grenada, Mr. Murilo Portugal, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

“Grenada’s economy has yet to recover from last year’s sharp output contraction. Two of its key sectors, tourism and construction, continue to be significantly affected by the lack of a firm global recovery. Despite this difficult environment, the authorities have met all quantitative targets for end-June and all the structural benchmarks agreed under the program.

“The authorities continue to make progress in fiscal consolidation. Starting with the 2011 budget, a three-year rolling budget will be adopted. Regarding fiscal adjustment, the objective is to improve the efficiency and compliance of tax collections, and to improve the overall management and efficiency of spending. The full Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) is being finalized and a quarterly indicator of social spending is also being put in place.

“The banking sector has remained resilient but the increase in the rate of non-performing loans is a concern. The authorities are continuing to work with regional governments to minimize the fallout from the collapse of the Trinidad and Tobago-based CL Financial Group.

“The near-term prospects for the Grenadian economy remain challenging and there are downside risks stemming from financial sector stresses and a stalled recovery. However, with continued progress toward fiscal consolidation, structural reforms, and a cautious debt management policy, the long-term outlook is favorable.”

Celebs support Team Grenada for London Olympic Games 2012

LONDON, UK, November 11, 2010 - Grenada’s star athlete Kirani James was among celebrities and officials who attended a dinner at London’s historic House of Lords on Wednesday to launch a campaign to assist the Grenada Olympic team for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The dinner, organised by the St George’s University-based Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF), was also to support a special programme “Sport for Health in the Caribbean” which, it is hoped, will “inspire a new healthier generation of Caribbean youth”.

Also attending the dinner were Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts, who is at the World Travel Market in London, Grenadian-born Baroness Howells of St David; Permanent Secretary Marilyn Austin-Cadore; High Commissioner Ruth Rouse; WINDREF’s President, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham; President of the Grenada Olympic Committee Royston LaHee and entrepreneur and sponsor Denis Noel.

The keynote speaker was Lord Sebastian Coe the Chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Games Organising Committee and former double Olympic gold medallist who spoke on “Sport for Health in the Caribbean: the inspiration of the Olympics”.

Tables were sponsored by, amongst others, REACH Grenada, the Jason Roberts Foundation, Lord Ballyedmond, Sunderland University and St George’s University.

Sport for Health will make its debut in Grenada and it is intended that the message will spread to the rest of the Caribbean addressing the growing burden of childhood obesity and the chronic non- communicable diseases, including diabetes, and promote a healthier philosophy amongst the youth.

As a first step, Grenada’s Olympic athletes will be asked to become sporting ambassadors at sports days to he held in all Grenada’s secondary schools in the coming year. The programme is endorsed by the Government of Grenada and the Grenada Olympic Committee.

The Grenada Olympic Committee is hoping to send a 15-member team to the Olympic Games in London and has been making arrangements for a pre-games camp in the south-east of London.

Grenada elected on executive board of new UN agency for women's empowerment

UNITED NATIONS, New York, November 10, 2010 - Grenada was among six Latin American and Caribbean countries elected on Wednesday to the Executive Board of the newly-created United Nations agency on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Following the vote, Grenada was among 18 countries selected to serve three-year terms.

The elections, held in the 54-member Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), will enable the new Board to come together prior to the official establishment on 1 January 2011 of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

The 41 board members were selected on the following basis: 10 from Africa, 10 from Asia, four from Eastern Europe, six from Latin America and the Caribbean, five from Western Europe and six from contributing countries.

Elected from the group of Latin American and Caribbean States were Grenada, Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Peru.

Angola, Cape Verde, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Lesotho, Libya, Nigeria and Tanzania from the African Group.

Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Republic of Korea and Timor-Leste were elected from among the Asian States.

Estonia, Hungary, Russia and Ukraine were elected from among the Eastern European States, while Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Sweden were elected from the Western European and Other States.

The Council also elected Mexico, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Kingdom and United States from among the “contributing countries,” for three-year terms beginning today.

"This is a very significant development in Grenada's diplomacy at the United Nations, in that we can garner winning votes in a competitive environment. It also marks the bringing together of Grenada's domestic progress (on women's advancement) and international governance of the same," said Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dessima Williams.

She said that UN Women is the most recent body in the consolidation of a new United Nations facing reform.

The 35 members elected from the regional groups will serve two-year and three-years, beginning today, as determined by the drawing of lots.

Chosen to serve two-year terms were Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, El Salvador, Estonia, France, India, Italy, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Tanzania and Timor-Leste.

Angola, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Grenada, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Peru, Republic of Korea, Sweden and Ukraine were selected to serve three-year terms.

Headed by former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, UN Women is the merger of the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues, and the UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW).

The new agency was established on 2 July by a unanimous vote of the General Assembly to oversee all of the world body’s programmes aimed at promoting women’s rights and their full participation in global affairs. One of its goals will be to support the Commission on the Status of Women and other inter-governmental bodies in devising policies.

It will also aim to help Member States implement standards, provide technical and financial support to countries which request it, and forge partnerships with civil society. Within the UN, it will hold the world body accountable for its own commitments on gender equality.

In carrying out its functions, UN Women will be working with an annual budget of at least $500 million – double the current combined resources of the four agencies it comprises.

Young Grenadians in London forging effective Diaspora Organisation

LONDON, UK, November 6, 2010 – Young Grenadians in London continue to demonstrate their patriotism and commitment to forge an effective Diaspora Organisation.

The High Commission for Grenada in the United Kingdom convened a Diaspora Youth Cultural and Professional Networking Evening on Saturday, as a follow-up to the successful first Diaspora Youth Forum (DYF) held in September.

The Networking session realised the establishment of a DYF Committee which would lead the way for programmes and events to take the group forward into the Diaspora International Conference in 2011.

The participants were eager to learn of their culture and expressed concern that some of the culture had been lost along the way.

Mr. Faithman Simon aka “Root Jackson”, originally from Carriacou and a member of the Diaspora Consultative Committee (DCC), was in attendance and offered his support to facilitate a special session on culture.

The group desires also to establish a partnership with youth in Grenada to exchange information and lend support, as well as to create a link with the first generation Grenadians. The DYF will work as a subsidiary of the DCC, UK.

A team of Facilitators including Margaret Noel, Carol Joseph, Laurice Matthew, Marsha Jackson and Roy McEwen who introduced the group to “A part of their culture”, lent support to the session, along with the High Commissioner Ruth Rouse and Staff.

The First Forum was held in a response to the Grenada Government’s keen interest in and decision to engage the Diaspora in a more formalised manner.

Following the Preparatory Conference held in Grenada August 5-6, 2010, the High Commission held a formal meeting of the DCC, which is widely expected to find new and innovative ways to reach the Grenadian Diaspora throughout the United Kingdom, gather their views and interest them in participating in the Founding Conference, scheduled for Grenada August 2-3, 2011.

The future of the Diaspora would not be possible without the involvement of the second, third and later generation Grenadians, and hence the convening of the Youth Forum.

The role of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for young persons of Grenadian parentage, to explore their heritage, express their views and take steps towards making a positive and effective contribution towards Grenada.

The Young people discussed ways of getting more involved in Diaspora Activities; obstacles preventing them from getting involved; the impact they can make on Grenada; how they can promote Grenada in the UK; why their Heritage was so important, among other topics.

The DFY Committee comprises:

Alice Prince - Chair

Marsha Jackson - Vice Chair

Anthony Andrews - Secretary

Raedonna Griffith - Assistant Secretary

Shani Crawford - Events Co-ordinator

Thanee Brathwaite - Assistant Events Co-ordinator

Rodney Lendore - Chair – Reading Group

Tourism Minister congratulates Spice Island Beach Resort

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, November 6, 2010 - Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts has congratulated the management and staff of Spice Island Beach Resort for being voted “Gold” by readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine.

The magazine this week announced that Grenada’s multiple award-winning resort has been chosen as the top resort in the 2010 Readers Choice Awards.

The Minister said that Spice Island Beach Resort, led by its Chairman and owner Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, continues to make all Grenadians proud of its achievements.

“I want to join with other stakeholders in congratulating Spice Island Beach for this unparallel feat among small sized properties in the Caribbean,” said Minister Roberts before departing for London to attend the World Travel Market (WTM).

“Sir Royston and his team have been proud and consistent ambassadors in the hospitality industry, and for this we are grateful,” she said.

But Sir Royston credits the resort’s uncompromised luxury standards and attentive staff for the achievement, according to a statement from Condé Nast.

"Inclusion among the most exclusive resorts in the world is a tremendous honour for us," said Hopkin. "As a family run resort without the marketing power of a large brand, this recognition is a testament to the hard work and discipline of our dedicated staff, many of whom have been with us for more than 20 years and have become our extended family."

Featured in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveller, the 23rd annual Readers' Choice Awards ranks the top properties around the world on a multitude of criteria as judged by the magazine's affluent readers. Spice Island Beach Resort was included among 30 idyllic Caribbean resorts at the # 12 spot, according to Condé Nast Traveller.

The Tourism Minister is anticipating more awards for Spice Island Beach Resort at the WTM.

According to Condé Nast Traveller, Spice Island Beach Resort is no stranger to accolades having received the coveted AAA Four Diamond® Award for the last seven consecutive years. For the last four years, the chic property was also recognized by Virgin Holidays as the number one hotel in the company’s Platinum Collection of exclusive hotels and resorts around the world.

"The Condé Nast 'Gold' distinction had eluded us for quite some time as our decision to focus on service and amenities instead of marketing has made us the Caribbean's best kept secret," explained Hopkin.

"The low profile is part of our charm as an unparalleled hideaway steeped in timeless luxury and frequented by celebrities and those who are in the know," he added.

"While our service-oriented philosophy will never change, recently expanded flight service into Grenada has placed us on the radar of travel agencies catering to exclusive clientele," said Hopkin, referring to new direct flights on the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines out of New York's JFK in addition to convenient routes on Delta and American from gateways across North America.

"This greater flight accessibility, combined with the prestigious Condé Nast recognition, will enable us to welcome more affluent guests with the same level of luxury service that has set Spice Island Beach Resort apart from day one," concluded Hopkin.

While in London at the WTM, Minister Roberts will also attend the UNWTO Minister’s Summit on Tuesday, under the theme “Shaping a Stronger Travel and Tourism Industry”.

Assisted by a team of high-level experts from the public and private sector, the Summit will formulate best practices to stimulate sustainable tourism for future business models and public policies.

Some of the key issues to be discussed include, raising the political and economic recognition of tourism; creating a more competitive business environment; stimulating innovation, investment and sustainable growth and addressing global challenges such as climate change and unemployment with public/private partnerships.

Grenada proposes modernisation of CIM

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, November 5, 2010 – Grenada has tabled proposals to modernise the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) and make its activities more practical and impact more tangibly on daily lives of all women and girls throughout the Americas.

The proposals were presented by Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Ambassador Gillian Bristol during Plenary of the Thirty-Fifth Assembly of CIM which ended in Mexico City on Friday.

Delegates have been examining amendments to the CIM Statutes, election of new officers, and consideration of the draft Declaration of the Inter-American Year of Women and draft resolutions, among others.

Ambassador Bristol underscored the important mandate and role of the Commission and recognised its accomplishments since its inception 82 years ago.

However, she emphasised the urgent need to deliver concrete improvements in the situations faced particularly by women and girls and proposed that this can be achieved by the adoption of a programmatic and results-based approach.

Grenada’s commitment to gender equality was also reiterated at the Assembly with the presentation of the national report.

“At the regional level, the Government of Grenada pledges to support the work undertaken by CIM in the short term,” the report stated.

More than 80 percent of public workers in Grenada are women and about 95 percent of the persons occupying the highest administrative positions as Permanent Secretaries in the Public Service are also women, including the Cabinet Secretary.

Grenada was the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to establish a Ministry of Women’s Affairs during the period of the People’s Revolutionary Government (1979-1983). For the first time this year Grenada will celebrate International Men’s Day with activities scheduled for November 19.

“The intention of the celebration is to recognise men’s contribution and highlight the need to partner with women in resolving conflicts and dealing with problems in an effort to create a better family life and by extension a more peaceful society,” the report said.

Last Friday, the House of Representatives approved the Domestic Violence Act, 2010 which provides protection for victims of domestic violence. The Act also seeks to protect everyone including men.

AOSIS calls for urgent action to transform global economy

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, November 4, 2010 - The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) believes that the prospects for a significant outcome at this month’s Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico have increased following a two-day meeting hosted by Grenada.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David told delegates at the closing session that the productive engagement has increased the possibility of a strong agreed outcome in Cancun on the basis of strengthened confidence, greater thrust and maximum agreement towards a positive outcome.

“The exchange of perspectives have allowed us to move closer and improved the environment and possibility of successful outcomes when we get to Cancun,” he said.

“We fully expect to continue this dialogue over the next week and leading up to Cancun. I feel confident that these discussions will enhance our decisions in Cancun as we will be building on a number of advances”.

More than 100 delegates including non-AOSIS members and partner organisations participated in the informal Ministerial meeting at the Grenada Grand Beach Resort which was co-hosted by Mexico and Grenada.

David said that the meeting also saw the urgent need to transform the global economy to low carbon to minimise the threat and impact of Climate Change.

“Our survival is dependent on transforming the global energy sector from high carbon emission to low carbon or carbon neutral,” he said.

“We are therefore absolutely delighted by the words spoken by our friends at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank in support of our Sustainable Energy Initiative partnership – SIDS DOCK - and we ask our friends from the developed countries to also consider supporting the partnership”.

He said that based on the positive responses from the UNDP and World Bank as well as from other countries, AOSIS and its partners will embark on a path to develop and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Cancun for the first phase of SIDS DOCK development.

“We have matured a great deal because of the lessons we would have learnt at Copenhagen and since Copenhagen. Thus, there is no value for us, the AOSIS Family, to engage in lamenting Copenhagen,” said Grenada’s Environment Minister Michael Church.

“Instead, we must embrace those lessons on the eve to Cancun by constantly bringing realism to our approaches and expectations”.

AOSIS continues to lend moral voice to the climate negotiations, especially emphasising the need to address global equity and climate divide issues, and in defining a clear vision and call to action.

Grenada offers to help Islands affected by Tomas

ST GEORGE’S, November 1, 2010 (GIS) – Grenada has expressed its readiness to assist its regional neighbours who were severely affected by the weekend’s weather disturbances caused by Tomas.

The 12th hurricane of the season and the 19th named storm, Tomas dumped four to six inches of rain on the islands.

The worst affected by the rains, as well as gusty winds, were St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Barbados. Homes and other structures were damaged and power lines downed.

Two people were reportedly injured in St. Vincent, including one critically, when they tried to repair roof damage during the storm.

Vincent Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has appealed for regional and international assistance to rebuild his country, which is said to have suffered millions of dollars in damage.

Grenada’s Foreign Minister Peter David, delivering welcoming remarks Monday at the opening of an informal ministerial meeting of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in St. George’s, said Hurricane Tomas “serves as a perfect backdrop to our meeting.’’

He noted that almost all activities in Grenada were halted because of the threat of Tomas.

“But what we experienced in Grenada was multiplied tenfold in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados and other islands,’’ Foreign Minister David said. “Let me, on behalf of all of us, extend our sorrow to the government and people of our sister islands of Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Lucia, through their representatives here. I am told that St. Vincent in particularly received substantial damages. Be assured that we, in Grenada, are ready and prepared to assist you in your time of need.’’

Mr. David also led the way in inviting delegates to pay tribute to the late Barbadian Prime Minister, Hon. David Thompson, who will be buried on Wednesday.

“Please join me in extending, on behalf of AOSIS, our deepest condolences to the government and people of Barbados, through their delegation here, for the loss of their Prime Minister David Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a fine son of the region, and a true friend of Grenada,’’ said Mr. David. “I ask all to stand in a minute of silent tribute to the late Prime Minister.’’

Mr. Thompson’s state funeral in the Barbados capital, Bridgetown, will be attended by a Grenada delegation headed by Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas. It will also include Foreign Minister David and Junior Information Minister, Senator Arley Gill.