Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s Digital Economy Report 2024 underscores the urgent need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies. Digital technology and infrastructure depend heavily on raw materials, and the production and disposal of more and more devices, along with growing water and energy needs are taking an increasing toll on the planet. For example, the production and use of digital devices, data centres and information and communications technology (ICT) networks account for an estimated 6% to 12% of global electricity use. Developing countries bear the brunt of the environmental costs of digitalization while reaping fewer benefits. They export low value-added raw materials and import high value-added devices, along with increasing digital waste. Geopolitical tensions over critical minerals, abundant in many of these countries, complicate the challenges. The report calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders and consumers. It urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy, focusing on circularity by design through durable products, responsible consumption, reuse and recycling, and sustainable business models. Explore the #DigitalEconomy Report 2024 and its data & analysis: unctad.org/der2024

President of Barbados Makes Historic Visit to Panama Panama City, Panama – July 17, 2024 – The Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama was honored to receive Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, FB, GCMG, D.A., Q.C., LLD, President of Barbados on June 29, 2024. This marked the first-ever Presidential visit to Panama, signifying a historic moment in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The President's visit was primarily to represent Barbados at the inauguration of H.E. Jose Mulino, President of Panama on July 1, 2024. However, the visit also underscored the significant contributions of Barbadian workers to the construction of the Panama Canal and the broader development of Panamanian society. The historical links between Barbados and Panama were further highlighted through events hosted by the Administration of the Panama Canal, the Panama Canal Library, and the Panama Canal Museum. The Embassy of Barbados hosted a dinner in the President's honor, themed "Barbados-Panama, un solo Puente… (Just One Bridge…)." The event brought together members of the Barbadian community and friends of Barbados. Ambassador H.E. Ian Walcott delivered opening remarks, and Master of Ceremonies, First Secretary, Michelle Carter highlighted the President's pioneering career as Barbados' "Lady of Firsts." The President met with Barbadians who have made significant contributions to various sectors in Panama, including aviation, education, and telecommunications. Guests were treated to a cultural display of 'Los Congos,' an Afro-Panamanian cultural manifestation, and the musical stylings of Trinidadian-born saxophonist and steelpan player Antonio Roboteau, also known as Panasax. The President was accompanied by her son, Mr. Matthew Goodin, and her Aide-de-Camp, Lt (Coast Guard) Jamal Wiggins. Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

Great thematic event World Trade Organization Small Economies meeting on ‘Green Supply Chains for Development: The Case of Small Economies’. Thank you Vanessa Erogbogbo Pamela UGAZ, PhD Ankai Xu & Sabine Altendorf FAO for the excellent presentations showing the challenges & opportunities for SVEs. Key points from the #Barbados scene setting: - today is part of the continued rejuvenation of our work on small economies. A few weeks ago we had a session at Aid for Trade Review on SVEs and digital and today we are addressing another component of the Ministerial mandated SVEs work programme. -There are few countries more affected by the climate crisis than small economies, small island developing countries and LDCS. Historically we have often been on the periphery of many of the ‘revolutions’. And we have to be intentional about ensuring we are not ‘policied out’- that’s not a real word but you catch my drift- of the digital and the green revolutions. -On the circular economy and investing in green technology and cleaner value chains it is not a matter of economics, it is a matter of survival. Building resilience and adaptation and mitigation demands access to supply chains that do not originate in SVEs. This often means it is more challenging, and costly to access the components and the technology needed to invest in the circular economy. - A few months ago Barbados hosted, with UNCTAD, the first ever Global Supply Chain Forum. And the centrepiece of that forum was the importance of accessing resilient, predictable and transparent supply chains. SVEs and SIDS are some of THE most trade open countries in the world. We are often policy takers and standard takers rather than policy makers and standards makers because of our small size and small markets. -There will be no automaticity in bringing already broken supply chains to our shores. When there are disruptions as we have seen during the pandemic, our because of warfare and piracy we suffer the most in terms of increased cost and limited accessibility. -We must now begin to think how do we bring our small economies closer to these supply chains as suppliers! -How we do we get into the production cycle of the components for the new green tech? -How can some of our indigenous knowledge and materials be part of the green transition? From using goods such as Coconut husks, bamboo, sea weed commonly found in our countries for plastic substitutes, to using our highly educated and skilled populations to support new innovations in services, to use regional integration intelligently to create self sufficient and self catering regional supply chains including around organic goods. -These are all elements that we need to consider intentionally going forward and I am keen to hear what this incredible group of panelists will have to share with us. Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Jan Hoffmann Ana Libertad GUZMÁN VILLEDA

Today is potentially historic: small island developing states (SIDS) have gotten together to discuss how best to coordinate in the Geneva ecosystem. We currently have 25 SIDS accredited to United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) in Geneva, in addition to associated States. Some are represented by regional groupings like Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and some are additionally supported by Secretariats (Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS)). Unlike New York where there is regular SIDS coordination through Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), there is no ‘all-issue’ SIDS coordination in Geneva. With 39 International Organizations, 17 different platforms, 177 States represented and over 430 NGOs, Geneva’s architecture is challenging to navigate, even for larger Missions. Due to their size, small budget and limited human capital, SIDS Missions often have to make strategic decisions on where to focus their limited resources. This makes it challenging for small Missions to cover a multiplicity of issues (Trade, Intellectual Property Rights, Health, Labour, IformationTechnology/Digital; Human Rights/Humanitarian affairs; and Environment), to share information and to prepare possible common positions. We need to harness the power of SIDS in Geneva Barbados & Fiji were pleased to jump start the discussions on this initiative. Luke Daunivalu Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

Ayer S.E. Comandante Aquinas J. Clarke Embajador de Barbados en Venezuela, asistió a la recepción por el Día Nacional de Francia🇫🇷 Desde la Embajada de Barbados, expresamos nuestra más alta consideración y agradecimiento a la En las fotos observamos S.E. Aquinas Clarke junto a S.E. Emmanuel Pineda y miembros del cuerpo diplomático en la Residencia Oficial de la República Francesa.

Barbados Day in Brooklyn was a hit. Hundreds of Bajans from all around came out and flew up to this annual event. This year, as part of our ongoing sensitization strategy, the Consulate in collaboration with BTMI, handed out a couple of bags with Bajan goodies to those person who correctly answered random questions associated to Barbados culture. The Consulate staff worked, BTMI worked, pir interns worked and at the end of the day "many hands made light work" of the occasion. A good time was had by all from the looks of it.

It was extremely interesting to serve as one of the facilitators for the World Trade Organization Retreat on “WTO DECISION MAKING AND WAY FORWARD” I had an interesting, varied and engaging group including Ambassadors of Egypt, Türkiye, Djibouti, Switzerland, Thailand, Russia, Norway, Madagascar, Tojo, Seychelles, Ghana, Mexico, Malaysia, Malawi. I presented 15 key points that included support for stakeholder engagement, trust building, representative small group meetings and more. But my point 1 was: “It was recognised that the decision-making process is not necessarily the problem, but rather the commitment, trust, and focus of Members”. Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

The second phase of the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Volunteers Young Talent Pipeline has started. The initiative seeks to engage young, talented individuals to become future leaders in environment, pollution and climate action, and candidates from the Caribbean are encouraged to apply. Assignments are expected to begin in November 2024. For more information and to apply, visit https://ow.ly/VAJS50SCehq

The Second meeting of the Board of the #LossandDamage Fund agreed to at Cop 28 in Dubai, is underway. Critical decisions and actions must be taken, capitalising the Fund, operationalising the Fund, setting up policy and rules of procedure, recruiting an Executive Director, getting this historic fund off the ground and starting disbursement to the vulnerable. Barbados sits on the Board and as one of the Board members from the Caribbean and a SIDS, I had to emphasise that we must not lose sight of the fact that not only are the eyes of the world on us, but the urgent needs of the #vulnerable are waiting on us. That is the lesson of #HurricaneBeryl. This fund is urgently needed. It is impossible to look at the apocalyptic scenes #Beryl left across the #Caribbean and not be moved by the human suffering

❕#CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY AT THE OAS ❕   💼 Consultant: Classification of CIFTA Documents for Development of Electronic Database Consultant  ☑️ Organizational Unit: Department of Public Security 🌎 Duty Station: Remotely 📅 Application deadline: July 18th, 2024 📄 More details here: https://lnkd.in/eFXNDj-R  #opportunity #oportunidad #opportunities #oportunidades #consultant #consultor #consultora #consultancyopportunity #oportunidadconsultoria #oasconsultant #consultoroea