BARBADOS ELECTED PRESIDENT AND PROUD HOST OF THE XXXIV GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MINURVI

The Honorable Dwight Sutherland, Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, has been elected as the President of the Thirty-Fourth General Assembly of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Housing and Urban Development for Latin America and the Caribbean (XXXIV MINURVI).

This prestigious appointment took place during the recently concluded Thirty-Third Assembly held in Belem, Brazil last week (December 12 and 13, 2024), setting the stage for an exciting future.

This significant development will see Barbados hosting the XXXIV Assembly for the first time next year, marking yet another extraordinary milestone for the country and the region, as the esteemed conference was last held in the Caribbean some ten years ago. 

“I am extremely proud to be chosen to represent Barbados at this level. It is indeed a tribute to the remarkable display of leadership and vision that is now synonymous with the country,” Minster Sutherland stated.

“I step into this role with a commitment to further the institutional strengthening of the MINURVI coalition through enhanced collaboration among member countries. As I emphasised in my acceptance speech last week, there is an urgent need to build resilience within our territories amidst the escalating climate crisis, and this will be high on my agenda. 

“The upcoming assembly promises to be a landmark event, fostering collaboration and innovation at a time when it is needed most. It presents a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase pioneering housing solutions and collaborate with MINURVI partners in the development of innovative adaptive housing technologies and we look forward to an inspiring gathering that not only celebrates our achievements but also paves the way for a sustainable future,” he added.

With 35 member nations, MINURVI serves as a vital platform for dialogue and partnership, allowing Ministers and High-Level Authorities responsible for housing and sustainable urban development to converge, share best practices, and devise effective solutions to tackle the pressing challenges faced within the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) subregion.  (PR)