Current Events

• Antigua and Barbuda hosts Sub-Regional Workshop
  St. John’s, Antigua, Wednesday September 5, 2012
  
  Remarks by OAS Representative Jean Ricot Dormeus Workshop on Travel Document Security and Identity Management
  
  Minister of National Security and Labour, Sen. the Hon. Dr. L. Errol Cort today welcomed delegates from five regional territories to Antigua at a brief Opening Ceremony for the three-day Sub-Regional Workshop and Consultations on Capacity-Building in Travel Document Security and Identification Management, being held at Jolly Beach Resort and Spa.
  
  Antigua and Barbuda through the Ministry of National Security & Labour is hosting the workshop. The Inter-American Commission on Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has partnered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), INTERPOL and the government of Canada to deliver the sub-regional workshop and consultation, which runs until Friday.
  
  In his feature address, Dr. Cort underscored the importance of capacity building as it relates to local officials being equipped with the skills to readily recognize and detect fraudulent travel documents. He expressed the view that it was necessary for countries to continuously update anti-fraud procedures and improve on existing fraud detection technologies if they are to stay one step ahead of the criminals. Minister Cort added that Antigua and Barbuda is currently seeking to upgrade its border management system, in an effort to keep abreast and stay ahead of criminal elements that continually seek to beat the system.
  
  OAS representative Mr. Jean Ricot Dormeus in his remarks said thanks to efforts such as this workshop, fraudulent multiple IDs, easy forgery of documents and ID tampering will turn into relics of the past. He added that the OAS has been working with governments in the region to modernize the civil registries and document issuance processes.
  
  The objective of the workshop is to promote the exchange of information and experiences regarding international standards on travel documents, new technology, issuance and control of travel documents along with the improvement and modernization of civil registries and the strengthening of border controls. Mr. Erik Slavenas, Programme Officer at ICAO also gave brief remarks and started off the sessions with a presentation on ICAO’s role in setting global MRTD Standards and Specifications.
  
  Participants of the workshop have been drawn from a cross section of agencies including Immigration and Passport and Citizenship Departments.
• Workshop on Climate Change and Human Health supported by the OAS, PAHO and IICA
  Antigua and Barbuda, Tuesday August 21, 2012
  
  Remarks by OAS Representative Jean Ricot Dormeus Workshop on Climate Change and Human Health supported by the OAS, PAHO and IICA
  
  Mr Acting PS in the Ministry of Health,
  Mr. Lionel Michael, Chief Public Health Inspector,
  Ms. Rhonda Sealy Thomas, Chief Medical Officer,
  Ms. Sally Edwards, Advisor at the Pan American Health Organization,
  Ms. Una Mae Gordon, IICA Representative,
  Colleague Ruben Contreras and other facilitators,
  Ladies and Gentlemen,
  
  I am delighted to be associated with this workshop, a historic event in many ways. It is the first time the OAS joins hands with PAHO and IICA in supporting a program in Antigua, and it is the first workshop dedicated to the impact of climate change on human health, although several other activities have been taking place on this hot topic. Therefore, it is an occasion to celebrate the unity of the Inter-American family, as we raise awareness on the health implications of climate and build capacity in order to address it successfully.
  
  Let me thank the Government of Antigua, in particular the Ministry of Health, for giving priority to this important topic. Let me also recognize the determining role of Chief Health Officer Lionel Michael who conducted an excellent preparatory and oversight process. I wish to salute as well the contributions made by Mr. Edwards of PAHO and Ms. Gordon of IICA. I want to mention that the OAS has selected a seasoned expert in the field, my colleague Ruben Contreras, to provide technical contributions. I have no doubt you will be enlightened by Mr. Contreras presentation. This workshop is the result of togetherness, team spirit, and a long term vision for a healthier and better future.
  
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• Project Officer Ermithe Emily Charlemont of the Trust of the Americas Visits Antigua and Barbuda and Meets OAS Representative Jean R. Dormeus, Roberta Williams and Ms. Angela Ephraim of the GARDC
  Antigua and Barbuda, Thursday September 15, 2011
  
  The OAS Office in Antigua and Barbuda supports the Trust of the Americas in collaborating with the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARDC) for the implementation of the “Partnership for Opportunities in Employment through Technology in the Americas” (POETA) program. On Thursday, September 15, 2011, Project Officer Ermithe Emily Charlemont of the Trust paid a visit to Antigua to assess and advance the program. A meeting took place at the OAS Office with Ms. Roberta Williams and Ms. Angela Ephraim of the GARDC, before a field visit.
  
  POETA is a hemispheric initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean that provides marginalized populations with job-ready information and communication technologies (ICT) skills to facilitate their social and economic inclusion. POETA Centers provide training in job-ready computer skills, advanced software applications such as Cisco tools and serve as after-hours community computer centers. Participants are trained in the skills needed to enter the job market.
• The OAS joined the Antigua Energy Desk within the Office of the Prime Minister to sponsor the Energy Week in Antigua and Barbuda from November 7-11, 2011
  Antigua and Barbuda, Monday November 7, 2011
  
  The OAS joined the Antigua Energy Desk within the Office of the Prime Minister to sponsor the Energy Week in Antigua and Barbuda from November 7-11, 2011 under the theme “Clean Technology for a Sustainable Economy”.
  
  The Energy Week was mandated as an annual event resulted from a decision taken at the Thirty-Fifth Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Energy held in Georgetown, Guyana on March 22 - 24, 2011.
  
  The overall aim of the Energy Week falls under the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP), which aims to educate and sensitize nationals and residents in Antigua and Barbuda and other six Caribbean islands on issues relating the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation. CSEP is a joint project funded by the European Union (EU) in partnership with the CARICOM Secretariat, Caribbean Electric Utilities Association (CARILEC) and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).
  
  The week of activities in Antigua and Barbuda comprised a National Energy Symposium and Exhibition, Prime Minister’s National Public Speaking and Debate Competition, Student Field Trip/Student Energy Awareness Day, among other activities.”
• Youth Rural Tourism Workshop
  Antigua and Barbuda, Friday August 26, 2011
  
  Youth Rural Tourism Workshop is an action oriented workshop to help youth set up their business in the area of rural tourism, implementing the powerful tools they received to create their business, grow wealth, give employment, and transform their community.
  
• Tourism Training and Certification Project
  Antigua and Barbuda, Thursday July 28, 2011
  
  Tourism Training and Certification Project, is a resource that implements strategies to promote and deliver training for growth and competitiveness in the tourism industry in Antigua and Barbuda.
  
  News clip - The Daily Observer
  Remarks by OAS Representative in Antigua and Barbuda, Jean Ricot Dormeus