Paris, April 14, 2026 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines made its debut on UNESCO’s Executive Board with a strong call for reform and equity, as Senator Lavern King, Minister of State for Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information, addressed the plenary debate of the 224th session.
Speaking before UNESCO officials and Member States, King congratulated the Chairperson and Director-General, pledging SVG’s active contribution. She framed her remarks against a backdrop of “profound global uncertainty, rising conflicts, climate pressures and declining confidence in multilateralism,” insisting that “it could not be business as usual.”
King emphasized UNESCO’s indispensable mandate in education, sciences, culture, communication and information, describing them as foundations for peaceful and inclusive societies. She acknowledged the Secretariat’s report on the implementation of the 42 C/5 (2024–2025) but warned that financial instability and structural constraints were undermining programme delivery, leading to cancelled activities, delays and reduced field engagement.
The Senator voiced support for the UNESCO80 Roadmap and the “One Science” initiative, but stressed that reform must simplify, not complicate, and be guided by clear prioritization of activities aligned with available resources. She also pressed for equitable recruitment and geographical representation, noting that SVG is not yet represented within UNESCO staffing.
Turning to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), King underscored their vulnerability and underfunding. “SIDS cannot remain a priority in principle; they must be a priority in practice,” she declared, calling for predictable support, stronger field presence, and better access to flexible funding.
Delivered in Paris on April 14, 2026, the speech marked SVG’s first intervention as a newly elected member of UNESCO’s Executive Board. It positioned the country as a vocal advocate for resilience, reform, and fairness, aligning with the session’s theme of strengthening UNESCO’s capacity to respond to crises and build inclusive societies.