Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

September 20, 2024 – There are ambitious aspirations for the UN’s Summit of the Future, which the Secretary General today said should welcome invigorating ideas and strategies for member countries and global institutions eager to see greater international harmony.

“The Summit of the Future was born out of a cold, hard fact: international challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them. We see out-of-control geo-political divisions and runaway conflicts – not least in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and beyond, said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General in his press conference held on Wednesday in New York.

“Runaway climate change. Runaway inequalities and debt. Runaway development of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence – without guidance or guardrails.  And our institutions simply can’t keep up.”

The Summit, which opens on September 20, 2024 touts as its mission, a move to produce an “inter-governmentally negotiated, action-oriented Pact for the Future with chapters on Sustainable development and financing for development; International peace and security; Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation; Youth and future generations; and Transforming global governance.”

It is a massive mission by any measure.

Guterres said without a “spirit of compromise” the meetings will fall short of the goals to redefine the synergy necessary for nations to walk hand in hand into the future.

“Crises are interacting and feeding off each other – for example, as digital technologies spread climate disinformation that deepens distrust and fuels polarization.  Global institutions and frameworks are today totally inadequate to deal with these complex and even existential challenges,” said the Sec Gen.

He pointed to an outdated outlook that was in desperate need of new vigor and unflinching commitment in order to demonstrate the countries of the UN can work together.

“The peacebuilders of the 1940s could not have predicted the changes that have swept over humanity over the past eight decades:  The catastrophic consequences of climate change. Space exploration in all its dimensions. The internet, smartphones and social media – all boosted by Artificial Intelligence.  Like our founders, we cannot know precisely what the future holds.”

The institutions of today were crafted in a bygone era, he reminded and over the three days of the meeting, which are broken down into Action Days and Summit Days, the Secretary General is appealing for the kind of synergy which leads to problem-solving strategies all nations can commit to following.

“But we don’t need a crystal ball to see that 21^st century challenges require problem-solving mechanisms that are more effective, networked and inclusive; That serious power imbalances in global institutions must be adjusted and updated; And that our institutions must draw on the expertise and representation of all of humanity.

Change will not happen overnight. But it can start today.”

For the over 7,000 people registered to participate in the Summit of the Future, there is anticipation for a few breakthrough alterations in pacts.

“The strongest language on Security Council reform in a generation – and the most concrete step towards Council enlargement since 1963.  The first set of governance measures for new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, in all their applications — with the UN at its centre.  A major advance in reform of the International Financial Architecture with the most significant language yet strengthening the role of developing countries. A step change in financing the Sustainable Development Goals and a commitment to advance our SDG Stimulus, multiplying the resources available to developing countries. The list goes on.

It would be tragic if all of this would be lost.”

The future for our grandchildren, he surmised, cannot be the one that was built for our grandparents.

“I hope Member States will do everything possible to get the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations over the finish line.”

In 2020, the UN turned 75 and marked the occasion by starting a global conversation about hopes and fears for the future.  This was the beginning of a process that would eventually lead, four years later, to the convening of the Summit of the Future, a major event this September, which will take place at UN Headquarters, just before the annual high-level debate of the General Assembly.

The event will consist of sessions and plenaries based around five main tracks (sustainable development and financing; peace and security; a digital future for all; youth and future generations; and global governance), and other topics that cut across all of the work of the UN, including human rights, gender equality and the climate crisis.

The immediate outcome will be a finalised version of a Pact for the Future, with a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration for Future Generations in annex, all of which are expected to be adopted by Member States during the Summit.

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

Turks and Caicos, September 20, 2024 – The PDM along with Turks and Caicos Islanders are deeply concerned about the deplorable conditions of the highways and roads, particularly in Providenciales, according to Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Mr. Robert Been Jr.

In a media release, he said as he travels across the island and listen to the concerns of our citizens, one issue that stands out is the lack of “proper maintenance” and upkeep of our roadways.

“This is not just a matter of inconvenience, but a blatant failure by the current PNP (ProgressiveNational Party) administration to carry out one of the most basic functions of government: ensuring our roads are safe, functional, and well-maintained,” he outlined.

Adding that many of the roads are overgrown with trees and bush, creating both an eyesore and a hazard for motorists and pedestrians, he said the once pristine landscapes that contributed to our image as “Beautiful by Nature” are now obscured by untrimmed vegetation and deteriorating road conditions. “This is in stark contrast to the beauty that we proudly showcase to the world as our biggest selling point in the tourism market.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, and the condition of our roads is a reflection of how we maintain the image of our islands. When tourists drive through these overgrown, unkempt highways, what message are we sending? That we do not care about the very product we are trying to sell? This neglect not only affects the experience of our visitors but also places undue strain on our local residents who use these roads daily,” he said

The PDM Deputy Leader, in arguing that the lack of basic road maintenance is another example of the PNP’s incompetence., said if they are failing at “this most basic level”, then, how can Islanders trust them to manage the more complex and pressing affairs of our country?

“Road maintenance is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is the bare minimum that the government should be providing for its citizens. When the PNP boasts about their achievements, we must ask, what good is a record-setting budget if they can’t even ensure the proper upkeep of our roadways?” he said

Mr. Been Jr. underscored that the PDM understands the importance of basic Government functions, and, if elected to office, it will make it a priority to address the “comprehensive repair and maintenance” of the road infrastructure across the entire Islands, and will ensure that roads are not only repaired but also regularly maintained to prevent the kinds of issues from arising again.

Turks and Caicos, September 20, 2024 – Acting Governor, Her Excellency, Anya Williams, chaired the 28th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at the Premier’s Office, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.

All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly; and the Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles. Ms. Khalila Astwood attended as Acting Attorney General.

At this meeting of Cabinet:

1. Approved the acquisition of Parcel 10304/32, Central Grand Turk.
2. Approved the reappointment of Mr. Walter T. Gardiner Jr. to the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency Board of Directors for a period of three years.
3. Approved the terms of a Development Agreement/Order by The Yard Ltd. for the construction of a luxury hotel in the Bight, Providenciales.
4. Approved the appointment of Mr. Seamus Day and Mr. Louis Graveley to the Board of Directors of the Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency for a period of 2 years.
5. Approved the funding contribution for the funeral costs associated with the Late Marjorie Basden.
6. Approved the Draft District Administration Bill 2024 to be progressed to the House of Assembly.
7. Approved amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance regarding the treatment of proceeds from activities lawful in other jurisdictions but unlawful in TCI.
8. Noted the request for variation of the Stevedoring Tariff, for it to be published within the Gazette and the variation of tariff to take effect on September 1st, 2024.
9. Considered proposals relating to a Development Agreement and other provisions to facilitate the Howard Hamilton International Airport Redevelopment.
10. Approved the request for an extension of the Immigration Population Policy Council appointments for a period of 1 year.
11. Approved the terms for the installation of residential mailboxes including a deposit and annual rental fee for residential mailboxes.
12. Noted the award of the following contract in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance:

• TCIAA 003/24, SSP, Security Screening Equipment

13. Noted the status of contracts awarded under the Capital Programme at the end of 2023/2024 Financial Year.
14. Received an information paper on a safeguarding matter.