Antigua Breaking News

Top Trusted News Source in Antigua

Search
Previous slide
Next slide

  • Home
  • Local News
  • Ambassador Boris Latour Presents Credentials to Director- General of UNOV/UNODC

Ambassador Boris Latour Presents Credentials to Director- General of UNOV/UNODC

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

In a pivotal moment in the diplomatic landscape of Antigua and Barbuda, Ambassador Boris Latour, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and UNESCO, on March 20 formally presented his credentials to Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, the Director-General/Executive Director of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Held at the prestigious UN headquarters in Vienna, this ceremony underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s unwavering dedication to proactive engagement in global diplomacy and multilateral collaboration.

Accompanied by an influential delegation, Ambassador Latour was joined by distinguished guests, including Ambassador Colin Murdoch, the OECS Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, and Ambassador Jeff Hadeed, both esteemed representatives of Antigua and Barbuda.

Their presence not only highlights the camaraderie and solidarity among Antiguan diplomats but also emphasizes the nation’s collective commitment to advancing shared global objectives. Additionally, two delegates from the Mission in Geneva accompanied Ambassador Latour, including Timothée Bauer, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Mission.

Their participation symbolizes the united front presented by Antigua and Barbuda’s diplomatic corps in supporting Ambassador Latour’s mission and championing the nation’s diplomatic priorities on the international stage.

Following the formal presentation of credentials, Ambassador Latour engaged in a substantive bilateral discussion with Director-General Waly. The dialogue centered on critical priorities for Antigua and Barbuda, with a particular focus on combating crime and drug trafficking, areas of paramount concern for the nation.

Be part of the conversation.

Let us know what you think by adding a comment below. Click here to start now!

Ambassador Latour reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to proactive measures to address these pressing global challenges and underscored the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in achieving meaningful progress. In the fight against drug trafficking and crime, Antigua and Barbuda has implemented robust strategies to enhance law enforcement capabilities, strengthen border security, and promote community-based initiatives. It is crucial to note that Antigua and Barbuda’s geographic location, characterized by its island geography and exposed coastlines, renders the country vulnerable to drug trafficking, as it lies between the drug production and the marketplace.

Ambassador Latour and Director-General Waly discussed potential avenues for partnership and collaboration between Antigua and Barbuda and UNOV/UNODC to bolster these efforts and advance sustainable solutions. Their shared commitment to addressing the root causes of crime and drug trafficking underscores the importance of collective action in promoting peace, security, and prosperity worldwide. Furthermore, Ambassador Latour’s presence in Vienna presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As a leading global organization in nuclear cooperation, safety, and security, the IAEA plays a crucial role in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Ambassador Latour’s engagement with the IAEA will facilitate collaboration on key issues related to energy, technology transfer, and nuclear safety, further enhancing Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity for sustainable development. During their dialogue, Ambassador Latour and Director-General Waly also explored the forthcoming 4th Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and recent initiatives launched by UNOV.

Recognizing the critical role of SIDS in the global arena, they underscored the importance of amplifying the voices and concerns of these nations and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing sustainable development goals and promoting inclusive growth.

The event reaffirms Antigua and Barbuda’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and diplomacy in addressing complex global issues. As Ambassador Latour assumes his new role representing Antigua and Barbuda at UNOV/UNODC, the nation reaffirms its dedication to working collaboratively with the international community to build a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for all.

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Join the Conversation!

Comments are closed.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]