St. Kitts and Nevis Advocates for Increased UNESCO Support for Caribbean Cultural Heritage Preservation

The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis championed the cause of enhanced UNESCO support for Caribbean cultural heritage preservation during a virtual consultation on September 19, 2025. The consultation, hosted by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris and the UNESCO Caribbean regional office in Jamaica, focused on developing a tailored strategy and prioritization framework for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the World Heritage Convention. St. Kitts and Nevis emphasized the “woeful lack of institutional capacity” hindering conservation efforts, a sentiment echoed by other Caribbean delegates who cited insufficient funding and limited human resources as major obstacles in a recent UNESCO poll. The consultation, attended by over 40 delegates from across the Caribbean, representing National Commissions for UNESCO and local World Heritage focal points, explored the numerous challenges facing small islands in identifying, documenting, nominating, and preserving their cultural and natural heritage.

Representing St. Kitts and Nevis were Ambassador David Doyle, Special Envoy to UNESCO in Paris; H.E. Nerys Dockery, Secretary-General of the Federation’s National Commission for UNESCO; and Percival Hanley, the Federation’s UNESCO Focal Contact on World Heritage and General Manager of the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a designated World Heritage site. Their collective message underscored the constraints faced by SIDS, particularly the scarcity of trained professionals in the cultural heritage field, which limits their ability to advance preservation agendas. They advocated for targeted assistance from UNESCO and affluent member states to bolster local capacity and accelerate heritage protection efforts.

Ambassador Doyle highlighted the limited technical and administrative capacity in small islands, impeding their ability to effectively manage and preserve their heritage. He proposed the establishment of a mobile team of cultural heritage experts to provide direct support to Caribbean Ministries of Culture in identifying and nominating eligible sites for the World Heritage List. This mobile team would serve as a crucial resource, providing expertise in areas such as research, documentation, and the preparation of comprehensive nomination dossiers. He further suggested creating a dedicated fund to support local heritage preservation initiatives, supplementing volunteer efforts by enabling the recruitment of short-term auxiliaries for research and nomination preparation. This would empower local communities to actively participate in safeguarding their heritage.

In addition to expert assistance and financial support, Ambassador Doyle stressed the importance of enhanced training opportunities. He emphasized the need for more frequent regional workshops to address knowledge gaps related to the World Heritage Convention, including the criteria for Outstanding Universal Value and effective heritage site management practices. Such training programs would equip local stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to protect and promote their cultural heritage effectively. H.E. Nerys Dockery welcomed UNESCO’s initiative to develop a SIDS-specific strategy, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities SIDS face in preserving their heritage, and expressed anticipation for collaborative efforts to promote sustainable development in the region.

Mr. Percival Hanley, speaking from his experience managing the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, praised the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for its consistent technical assistance and support to St. Kitts and Nevis, including interventions by advisory bodies ICOMOS and IUCN. He particularly highlighted the Centre’s decision in 2022 to include St. Kitts and Nevis in the Upstream Process, a proactive approach that provides early support for identifying and preparing potential World Heritage sites. This assistance included advice, consultation, and analysis, strengthening the Federation’s capacity to navigate the complex nomination process.

The Upstream Process, a valuable resource for under-represented countries on the World Heritage List, proved instrumental for St. Kitts and Nevis. As the only SIDS to benefit from the Upstream Process in early 2023, the Federation received crucial technical assistance in identifying potential new World Heritage sites. This process resulted in the identification of four significant cultural sites deemed eligible for inclusion on the Tentative List: Bath Stream Cluster in Nevis; Spooner’s Cotton Ginnery and Stone Forth River petroglyphs in St. Kitts; and Charles Fort as an extension of the existing Brimstone Hill Fortress World Heritage site in St. Kitts. These sites represent the rich and diverse heritage of the Federation, reflecting its history, culture, and natural beauty.

Building on this progress, St. Kitts and Nevis secured a ten-thousand-dollar grant from UNESCO to further develop the nomination dossiers for these four sites. This funding will enable in-depth research and documentation, focusing on demonstrating the Outstanding Universal Value of each site, a crucial requirement for World Heritage inscription. This grant represents a significant step forward in the Federation’s efforts to gain international recognition for its exceptional cultural heritage. The ongoing support from UNESCO and the proactive engagement of St. Kitts and Nevis demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving the unique heritage of small island nations for present and future generations. The Federation’s advocacy during the virtual consultation underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing the capacity-building needs of SIDS and ensuring the long-term protection of their invaluable cultural treasures.