United Nations, New York (05 November 2025) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Director of Fisheries and Marine Sources, Mr. Randel Thompson lately efficiently accomplished the aggressive and extremely coveted UN Portugal Ocean Fellowship, a capability constructing program on sustainable ocean governance, and blue economic system, organized in partnership with the United Nations Division of Financial and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Authorities of Portugal, and the Oceano Azul Basis.
Supporting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Aim 14: Life Beneath Water, and offering entry to a capacity-sharing programme tailor-made to the wants of decision-makers, in addition to empowering a brand new era of leaders with the data and expertise to deal with urgent Ocean-related points have been key targets of the Fellowship.
The programme which was held from October 20-24, 2025, in Lisbon Portugal, was designed to construct capability in creating international locations with the view to helping within the driving of revolutionary options to guard and protect our marine ecosystems, whereas selling financial development and fairness, and equipping individuals with additional experience to be an efficient ocean coverage decision-maker on the nationwide and worldwide degree by way of a novel inter-disciplinary curriculum integrating the important thing domains of Ocean Governance, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Blue Economic system and the Continental Shelf regime.
In sharing his expertise with H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN, who was in Portugal at the moment as a visitor of the Authorities of Portugal on issues of ‘Local weather, Safety and Economic system,’ and who additionally had the chance of attending the Opening Ceremony of the Ocean’s Fellowship Programme with a small contingent of represented UN ambassadors, Director of Fisheries and Marine Sources Randel Thompson mentioned, “The UN Portugal Ocean Fellowship was distinctive. It was properly organized and comprehensively lined probably the most important worldwide marine associated subjects. This system has drastically enhanced my understanding of the worldwide route towards ocean governance. It additionally supplied helpful insights into the important thing organizations concerned that we should always interact to hunt help for strengthening our conservation initiatives and advancing the event of our blue economic system.”
Director Thompson continued, “An integral a part of my life’s work is to enhance the general well being of our coastal areas and oceans by serving to folks to comprehend the true worth of our marine surroundings. A wholesome coastal area means a greater high quality of life our society, and this Fellowship programme has additional geared up me with the instruments to not solely do that but in addition to empower others in order that we might obtain UN Sustainable Improvement Aim 14. I’m grateful for the chance supplied by the United Nations Division of Financial and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Authorities of Portugal, the Oceano Azul Basis, to the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke who inspired me to use for the Fellowship, and to the Everlasting Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN for its work in facilitating the Fellowship.”
Ambassador Williams famous that it was certainly an honour for her share Director Thompson’s expertise and phrases of gratitude along with her UN counterpart Ambassador H.E. Rui Vinhas of Portugal, as St. Kitts and Nevis seeks to additional strengthen diplomatic relations with Portugal, and as Portugal has proven a real dedication to the worldwide group specifically Small Island Growing States, in advancing sustainable improvement, resilience, safety, and ocean safety.
The Fellowship Programme was additionally designed to facilitate worldwide cooperation and knowledge sharing on ocean-related points by offering a platform for nationwide high-level officers to community and construct relationships with their international counterparts, leveraging the experience of each Portuguese and worldwide consultants.
The UN Portugal Ocean Fellowship, a totally funded programme, now in its second 12 months, was open to heads/deputy heads of nationwide businesses overseeing and chargeable for Ocean Coverage and/or Ambassadors or their equivalents holding resolution making duty within the areas of ocean coverage, governance and economic system.
Candidates have been required to own demonstrable expertise in ocean policy-making and governance for his or her respective nationwide authorities, and be at the moment employed within the service of their respective Governments with plans to remain within the associated position for a medium to long-term interval.
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