Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines
EU relations and cooperation with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are carried out both on bilateral and regional basis, the latter within the framework of the on-going EU-CELAC and EU-CARIFORUM dialogues.
We have been exploiting and destroying our planet’s ecosystems way too long. The world loses forest the size of a football pitch every three seconds. Pollution compromises ecosystems and triggers biodiversity loss as never before. World Environment Day comes just one day after the 2021 edition of the European Green Week, an opportunity to bring people together to find solutions and concrete actions to tackle pollution once and for all, making the ambition for a zero-pollution and toxic-free environment a reality.
Our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter, energy... all these depend on healthy and vibrant ecosystems, no matter the progress in technology. Biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better. Yet, while there is a growing awareness that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to future generations, a number of species is still being significantly reduced by certain human activities. Human action has significantly altered three quarters of the land-based environment and two thirds of the marine environment. On World Biodiversity Day we are reminded that we humans are part of the solution to this problem.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is something special: a celebration of the multitude of ways in which art enriches our lives, be it with music, poetry, dance, cinematography - the variety seems endless. This occasion is also an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity.
On 21 May 2021 in Rome, the European Commission and Italy, as chair of the G20, will co-host the Global Health Summit.
The Summit is an opportunity for G20 and invited leaders, heads of international and regional organisations, and representatives of global health bodies, to share lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and develop and endorse a ‘Rome Declaration’ of principles.
Another year of quasi-confinement did not stop the EU and all its offices around the world from marking Europe Day in all its glory with several innovative activities online to touch all our senses! Shades of blue and yellow adorned landmarks worldwide, the sound of music filled our homes, and our eyes feasted on an array of photographic exhibitions and movie screenings. Our brains were also put to the test with a number of quizzes, and kids enjoyed online games to their hearts’ content. Our taste buds also thanked the chefs who offered online cooking classes, and we even got to go on a trip to space!
One year ago today, the European Commission and the High Representative set out plans for a targeted EU response to support partner countries' efforts in tackling the Coronavirus pandemic combining resources from the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions, as ‘Team Europe'. By 1 January 2021, Team Europe had already supported partner countries around the world with more than €26 billion, 65% of the overall response package that now stands at over €40 billion and exceeding the original €20 billion pledged. Team Europe is also working to ensure global, equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and supporting the rollout of vaccination campaigns, while exploring possibilities for boosting local manufacturing capacity.
