Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew Attends 2025 World Bank Spring Meetings

Introduction

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 23, 2025 (PMO) — Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, is currently in Washington, D.C., where he is participating in the 2025 World Bank Spring Meetings alongside Caribbean Heads of Government, Finance Ministers, and senior officials from the World Bank.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by Financial Secretary Ms. Hilary Hazel, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Ms. Naeemah Hazelle, and Press Secretary Mr. Javon Liburd.

Key Discussions and Engagements

As part of a packed schedule of high-level engagements, Prime Minister Drew and Financial Secretary Hazel participated in the Caribbean Ministerial Meeting hosted by Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations at the World Bank. The meeting focused on key areas such as economic vulnerability, regional resilience, and private sector investment.

Importance of Representation and Inclusion

Exclusively, Prime Minister Drew emphasized the critical importance of St. Kitts and Nevis’ presence at such global forums. “It is important to attend these meetings because decisions made at these meetings impact us, whether we are here or not. And I believe in a saying that says, if you are not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Dr. Drew stated. “Saint Kitts and Nevis has to be at the table so that its presence can be known and its voice heard… If we are not here, there are decisions that are being made that would affect us, and we would not have had an impact on the outcome.”

Dr. Drew also reiterated the call for international institutions to adopt a more nuanced understanding of the realities faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including St. Kitts and Nevis. “We are being judged on our GDP per capita, but I think that is a misrepresentation. Our economy is small. We are very vulnerable.

He continued, “We would ask the World Bank to allow for more inclusion, especially looking at Saint Kitts and Nevis as a vulnerable state, because of our small size, because of climate change and other issues.”

Conclusion

The 2025 Spring Meetings come at a pivotal time for Caribbean nations seeking to influence global economic policy, especially as the region continues to grapple with climate vulnerability and post-pandemic economic recovery.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis remains committed to international engagement and regional solidarity as it advances its Sustainable Island State Agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the purpose of the 2025 World Bank Spring Meetings?

A: The purpose of the meetings is to discuss key areas such as economic vulnerability, regional resilience, and private sector investment.
Q: Who is accompanying Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew at the meetings?

A: The Prime Minister is accompanied by Financial Secretary Ms. Hilary Hazel, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Ms. Naeemah Hazelle, and Press Secretary Mr. Javon Liburd.
Q: What is the importance of St. Kitts and Nevis’ presence at the meetings?

A: Prime Minister Drew emphasized that it is crucial for St. Kitts and Nevis to be present at the meetings to ensure their voice is heard and to have an impact on the decisions made.