Taipei: The foreign minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis announced that he is leading a delegation to Taiwan to explore renewable energy opportunities, aimed at supporting the Caribbean nation's "sustainable island state" policy goal. Saint Kitts and Nevis is transitioning from an agriculture-based society to a more diversified economy that includes sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, and offshore education, stated Denzil L. Douglas during a press event in Taipei.
According to Focus Taiwan, over 90 percent of the energy in Saint Kitts and Nevis is currently derived from fossil fuels, which are not sustainable. Consequently, the nation is seeking to learn from Taiwan's expertise in renewable energy technologies and frameworks to enhance its renewable energy share swiftly, Douglas explained. The island of Nevis is particularly interested in developing solar and geothermal energy, with geothermal being an especially suitable option.
To advance these goals, the delegation visited Taiwan's state-run utility, Taiwan Power Co., to compare operational models and explore potential collaborations. The delegation includes Kaye Bass, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Adina Richards, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development; and Sean Lawrence, director in the Ministry of International Trade. Also part of the delegation are Jonathan Kelly, energy transition manager at Saint Kitts Electricity Co. (SKELEC), and Trevor Blake, president of the Saint Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, as revealed by a Saint Kitts and Nevis Information Service news release.
Regarding recent remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about Taiwan being a province of China, Douglas emphasized that Saint Kitts and Nevis does not foresee countries like China engaging in global conflict over Taiwan. "We want to say that peace should win within the Taiwan Strait," Douglas remarked. Despite China's growing influence, Saint Kitts and Nevis supports Taiwan's participation in international forums such as the World Health Assembly and the International Civil Aviation Organization, opposing efforts to isolate Taiwan.
Douglas stressed that Taiwan has significant contributions to offer for global advancement, and Saint Kitts and Nevis believes in Taiwan's potential to impact global affairs positively.