The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas Addresses New Approaches Summit at UNGA79

The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, et al. for St. Kitts and Nevis, delivered the keynote address at the 3rd Annual New Approaches Summit on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the Harvard Club of New York City, which was organized as part of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) and Climate Week, under the theme “Saving Lives in the 21st Century.”

About the Summit

The summit brought together top global experts in tobacco control and harm reduction to discuss innovative strategies aimed at minimising the health risks associated with smoking. Dr. Douglas, a renowned leader in public health and diplomacy, shared insights from his decades of experience driving health-focused policies both locally and globally. A distinguished panel, including experts such as Azim Chowdhury, an authority on FDA regulatory compliance, and Professor Marewa Glover, a leading researcher in smoking harm reduction, joined him.

About Dr. Douglas’s Keynote Address

During his address, Dr. Douglas emphasized the importance of incorporating harm reduction into the fight against tobacco-related diseases, highlighting it as a pragmatic approach that complements existing tobacco control measures. Drawing from his experience as a former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and his leadership on regional health initiatives, Dr. Douglas outlined the necessity of balancing prevention, cessation, and harm reduction to mitigate the devastating effects of smoking.

What Did Dr. Douglas Say?

"Harm reduction is not a compromise—it is a critical and compassionate part of tobacco control that recognizes the reality that millions of people continue to smoke despite knowing the risks," said Dr. Douglas. He underscored that while quitting smoking remains the ultimate goal, harm reduction offers viable, safer alternatives for those unable or unwilling to quit.

The Implications of the Event

The event reaffirmed St. Kitts and Nevis’s commitment to advancing global health solutions, with Dr. Douglas highlighting the Federation’s active role in promoting harm reduction as part of a comprehensive strategy to save lives. His participation at the summit further emphasized the nation’s dedication to international collaboration in addressing critical public health challenges.

What Was Next?

Dr. Douglas called for a global partnership in advancing tobacco harm reduction strategies, particularly in low and middle-income countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which remain vulnerable to tobacco-related health crises. He encouraged research and context-specific approaches to ensure effective and sustainable solutions in diverse socioeconomic settings.

The 3rd Annual New Approaches Summit, themed "Saving Lives in the 21st Century," proved to be a landmark event, bringing together leading experts and policymakers to drive positive change in tobacco control. St. Kitts and Nevis, under Dr. Douglas’s leadership, is committed to promoting global health solutions and partnering internationally to address critical public health challenges.

What was the purpose of the 3rd Annual New Approaches Summit?

* The summit aimed to bring together top global experts to discuss innovative strategies in tobacco control and harm reduction, highlighting the importance of incorporation of harm reduction in fighting tobacco-related diseases.

Who spoke at the event?

* The keynote speaker was the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, et al. for St. Kitts and Nevis. Other speakers included Azim Chowdhury and Professor Marewa Glover.

What are the implications of the summit on global health solutions?

* The event emphasized St. Kitts and Nevis’s commitment to promoting harm reduction as part of a comprehensive strategy to save lives, as well as encouraging international collaboration to address critical public health challenges, particularly in low and middle-income countries and SIDS.