Washington DC – St. Kitts and Nevis proudly participated in the historic American Sports Council (Consejo Americano del Deporte) CADE Summit of the Americas, held in Washington DC on April 25 and 26. This momentous event brought together 41 member countries of CADE, fostering collaboration and dialogue to advance sports initiatives across the Western Hemisphere.
Representing St. Kitts and Nevis at this prestigious gathering were Permanent Secretary Valencia Syder of the Ministry of Sport and the Creative Economy, and Shawn Seabrookes, the Focal Point for the National Sport Policy. Their presence underscored our nation’s commitment to the principles of inclusivity and equity in global sport. This was the first time that our twin-island state played a part in the CADE session.
The summit, facilitated by the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), served as a platform for sharing best practices, technical exchanges, and training opportunities to promote the positive impact of sports. Throughout the event, international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Special Olympics, and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) delivered insightful presentations.
St. Kitts and Nevis played an active role in the creation of significant declarations aimed at enhancing the promotion of sport at a hemispherical level. These declarations reaffirm our nation’s dedication to fostering a culture of sport that transcends boundaries and promotes healthy competition, camaraderie, and excellence.
“Our country’s participation in the CADE Summit of the Americas reinforces that St. Kitts and Nevis remain steadfast in our commitment to leveraging sport as a vehicle for social development, youth empowerment, and national unity. We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders involved in organizing this landmark event and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to harness the power of sport for the betterment of our society,” Permanent Secretary Syder intimated.
CADE was established in 2003. The recently concluded summit marked the first time the U.S. led and hosted the hemispherical convention. The U.S. assumed leadership of CADE (by rotation) in 2023, for two years. The country-leading CADE would typically serve as the Americas region’s sole representative on the 16-member Board of WADA.
CADE comprises two sub-divisions: the Consejo Sudamericano del Deporte (CONSUDE) for South America and the Consejo Centroamericano y del Caribe del Deporte (CONCECADE) for Central America and the Caribbean. These sub-divisions facilitate focused collaboration and development initiatives tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of each region.