Saint Kitts and Nevis has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN’s top body for coordinating global sustainable development and economic policy.
The twin-island federation earned one of three available seats for the Latin American and Caribbean regional group in a vote held at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, June 4.
Saint Kitts and Nevis garnered 180 votes, joining Ecuador (182) and Peru (182) in securing the region’s representation on the 54-member council. Its term will begin on January 1, 2026, and run for three years.
This marks a significant diplomatic milestone for the Caribbean nation, as ECOSOC plays a central role in shaping and monitoring the global development agenda, including the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Membership will give Saint Kitts and Nevis a direct voice in high-level international discussions around climate resilience, economic equity, poverty reduction, education, health, and sustainable tourism—areas crucial to the Caribbean.
The election comes amid increasing calls for small island developing states (SIDS) like Saint Kitts and Nevis to have greater representation in international forums. Their vulnerability to climate change and economic shocks, particularly from global pandemics and natural disasters, has underscored the importance of inclusive global policy-making.
With this new seat, Saint Kitts and Nevis is expected to advocate not only for its national priorities but also for the broader concerns of small states and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the world stage.
The vote was part of a larger ECOSOC election involving all UN regional groups. A total of 189 countries voted in the first round, with a two-thirds majority required for election. Saint Kitts and Nevis’s strong showing reflects growing international recognition of the country’s leadership and commitment to sustainable development.