Basseterre, St. Kitts —

As part of ongoing efforts to promote staff empowerment, awareness building, and to mark the culmination of Sustainability Month 2025, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment — together with the Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC) and the Parks and Beaches Unit — jointly hosted a Staff Sustainability Symposium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

The event was held under the theme “Sustainable Settlements: Building Resilient, Inclusive, and Thriving Communities.”

Purpose and Objectives

The Symposium sought to strengthen collaboration and cross-engagement between the two Ministries by showcasing the execution, public impact, and interconnectedness of their respective mandates. It also highlighted how the work of each department informs national policy and supports the Government’s sustainability and resilience objectives.

Featured Displays and Working Sessions

Departments, units, subsidiary bodies, and key development partners — including the TaiwanICDF — mounted interactive displays showcasing their daily operations, achievements, and ongoing or upcoming projects.

The Symposium then transitioned into Working Sessions, featuring micro-dialogues led by senior management and development partners such as the St. Kitts-Nevis Institute of Architects (SKNIA) and the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park. These discussions explored how land use and management, urban planning, environmental protection, and climate action collectively define the creation of sustainable settlements across the Federation.

Legislative Agenda

Both Ministries presented upcoming pieces of legislation scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, October 31, 2025:

The Ministry of Sustainable Development highlighted the Architects Registration Act.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment introduced the National Conservation and Environmental Management Act.

These legislative initiatives are designed to advance the Federation’s sustainability agenda and reinforce alignment with long-term national development goals.

Cross-Table Exchange

The event’s signature feature — the Cross-Table Exchange — brought together the Minister, senior government officials, heads of subsidiary bodies, and local policy experts for a robust series of three thematic dialogues. Discussions centered on land management, housing, and accelerating the implementation of the National Development Planning Framework (NDPF) and the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA) through sustainable community development.

Next Steps and Public Engagement

The Symposium underscored both Ministries’ commitment to empowering staff with the tools and knowledge required to drive the national sustainability agenda forward.

Building on the event’s momentum, the Ministries have launched the SISAConnects Survey — a joint initiative between the Departments of Constituency Empowerment and Statistics. The survey seeks to capture public awareness and perceptions of the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA).

The survey will be conducted in communities across St. Kitts and Nevis until the end of November, with an online version available through official government platforms to ensure broad and equitable participation.

Contact Information

For questions related to the National Development Planning Framework (NDPF), the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA), or the work of the participating Ministries, please contact:

Ministry of Sustainable Development
Total Concepts Building, Bladens
Basseterre, Saint Kitts
(869) 467-1257