Minister for Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment Hon Joachim Henry, has returned to Saint Lucia after representing the island at the XVI Ministerial Forum for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, held from October 30 to November 1, in Barbados.

This year’s forum, “Resilience in Action: Social Policies to Navigate Uncertainty in Latin America and the Caribbean,” brought together leaders from across the region to address the pressing challenges of poverty, inequality, and social inclusion.

Minister Henry delivered a strong message in his address on the region's ongoing struggle with poverty, despite what he says are increases in overall national wealth. He stressed that persistent poverty is a reality in our area, noting that approximately 70 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to live in extreme poverty. This disturbing statistic signals a need to redouble efforts he said, to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, which aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms globally.

“These trends call for a major shift in how we move forward, underscoring the critical importance of inclusive social development,” noted Minister Henry.

The Minister highlighted the importance of embracing social inclusion across various domains, particularly in labor and digital spaces, to promote equitable development. This year’s forum also spotlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving social progress. Minister Henry pointed out the necessity for Saint Lucia to engage with emerging technologies like AI to harness their potential for inclusivity and sustainable development.

In addition to technological inclusion, Minister Henry underscored the significant role of arts and culture as transformative tools for social development. Reflecting on Saint Lucia’s vibrant cultural heritage, he emphasized that the Ministry of Equity must explore ways to integrate arts and culture into its strategies for social progress.

For me, the forum’s focus on arts and culture as vehicles for social development was both inspiring and crucial,” Minister Henry said. “In Saint Lucia, we have a rich tradition of arts and culture. As a Ministry of Equity, we must consider how to engage with this cultural wealth to fuel our strategies for social inclusion and development.”

Minister Henry’s participation in the forum reinforces Saint Lucia’s commitment to fighting poverty and promoting inclusive growth within the region. His call for innovative solutions and social inclusivity serves as a rallying point for all sectors to come together to shape a resilient and equitable future for Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.