UNESCO poised to strengthen Science, Technology and Innovation governance in St. Kitts and Nevis
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, March 18, 2026 (UNESCO National Commission) – Advanced negotiations are being held at UNESCO HQ in Paris to plan a major intervention in the Federation aimed at strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) strategy and governance in St. Kitts and Nevis.
At the request of the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Minister of Education, guided by national priorities gleaned by H.E. Ricardo Neil, the St. Kitts and Nevis Goodwill Ambassador for Science and Technology, UNESCO’s natural science expertise is being sought to assist the government with developing a National Science Policy Framework.
UNESCO will employ its much-lauded GO-SPIN methodology, which is a global resource for science technology and innovation policy providing tools and information for capacity-building, benchmarking and support for policymaking. It provides a standard practice for information collection on science, technology and innovation (STI) policies and policy instruments for countries around the world.
UNESCO’s experts, while discussing the terms of reference for this future intervention with the Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis to UNESCO, based in Paris, H.E. David P. Doyle, readily recognised the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and will build a strong evidence base to support informed, data-driven policymaking aligned with the Sustainable Island State Vision 2040 and the National Science Framework.
The project has three main outputs:
1. A national capacity-building workshop on STI systems and policy instruments.
2. The development of a GO-SPIN Country Profile mapping the Federation’s scientific research and innovation landscape, fully integrated into the global GO-SPIN platform.
3. The design of at least one tailored STI policy instrument aligned with national priorities.
The GO-SPIN will entail a 12-month commitment by UNESCO, entailing research, stakeholder consultations, data mapping, and policy design. It will be nationally led, with UNESCO providing technical guidance. A St. Kitts and Nevis science taskforce is being put together by H.E. Nerys Dockery, Secretary-General of the St. Kitts-Nevis National Commission for UNESCO, based in Basseterre, which will be led by Dr. Neil to guide the UNESCO experts in its work.
H.E. Nerys Dockery stated: “The National Commission, from the outset, will ensure that the development of the National Science Policy Framework is a collaborative and consultative exercise that will involve stakeholders from across both islands, embracing education, ICT and digital transformation, health systems, marine biology and environmental science, statistics and planning, quality assurance and standards-setting, energy and industry”.
Overall, the project is designed to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, advance STEM and STEAM education, improve coordination among stakeholders, enhance innovation capacity, and support national development goals, the Sustainable Development Goals, and SIDS priorities.
Dr. Ricardo Neil stated: “As the Federation advances toward a diversified, innovation-driven economy, the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis is in the process of outlining a National Science and Technology Framework. Several priorities have been identified that are aligned with UNESCO’s natural sciences mandate, evolving international STI trends, and the specific needs of a small island developing state.”
One key priority area for the National Science Framework is in the Science for Sustainable Development & Climate Resilience, where the Government aims to use science to address its most urgent environmental challenges.
The priority focus according to Dr. Neil includes:
• Renewable energy research (solar, wind, bioenergy)
• Coastal protection & marine ecosystem science
• Water resource management & climate-resilient agriculture
• Disaster risk reduction, early warning systems & geoscience
• Blue economy science and marine conservation
Dr. Neil is keen to explore with UNESCO experts, integration of STEM and STEAM curriculum on a nationwide basis, the establishment of a National Research and Innovation Fund and, taking inspiration from other innovative sovereign states, the creation of innovation hubs, science parks & laboratories.
Ambassador Doyle remarked: “The Government of St. Kitts & Nevis remains open to expanding or recalibrating these priorities based on further dialogue and the technical advice of UNESCO’s natural science specialists”.
Commenting on the initiative, Lidia Arthur Brito, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO, stated: “Without concrete policy instruments, science, technology and innovation policies stand the risk of remaining little more than a wish list. This is precisely why the GO-SPIN methodology places such emphasis on translating national priorities into actionable, measurable tools. UNESCO remains deeply committed to Small Island Developing States, and initiatives such as this one can only succeed when designed and driven in close partnership with national stakeholders on the ground. We look forward to working hand in hand with St. Kitts and Nevis to deliver tangible outcomes that serve the Federation’s development aspirations.”
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