Barbados High Commission, Kenya

Barbadian wellness entrepreneur, Steve Andrews, is currently in Kenya hosting master classes for practitioners in the Kenyan spa and wellness space. Mr Andrews manages four spas in Barbados and currently serves as the Chairman of the Caribbean Spa & Wellness Association.

With unique insights honed over his decades-long career, Andrews' workshops here in Kenya have focused on improving service delivery and upscaling the business of wellness. He has met with industry leaders at Kenya's leading spas, and he is also on a media tour with local radio stations speaking on wellness and trauma recovery.

Happy Kadooment Day, Barbados!

Grand Kadooment Day celebrates the end of Barbados' Crop Over Festival, where a carnival of masquerade bands make their way to the Mighty Grynner Highway with revellers dressed in costumes, feathers, jewels and bright accents.

Culturally, Grand Kadooment sustains the art form of masquerading in Barbados, with costume design and construction being the key components.

Learn more about Crop Over, and start your planning for 2025 in Barbados here: https://ow.ly/7ARN50SR8Mi

The Mission had the honour to brief the 2024 cohort of the Sub-Sahara Africa International Model United Nations (SAIMUN) last month at the United Nations Office in Nairobi.

Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Jovan Reid, fielded questions from students on multilateral and small-state diplomacy, public policy, negotiation techniques, careers in diplomacy and the work of UNEP and UN-HABITAT.

Drawn from high schools across Kenya, this year’s cohort continues SAIMUN’s mission to cultivate youth leadership on the continent through experiential learning and building future-focused skills.

Prime Minister Mottley has extended her congratulations to His Excellency Paul Kagame on his recent reelection as President of the Republic of Rwanda.

Hailing Rwanda as a leader in the Global South, the Prime Minister said she looked forward to continued cooperation between the two countries on economic and social development matters, particularly in air services and the health sector.

Prime Minister Mottley also reaffirmed her commitment to reconnecting Barbados and the Caribbean region with the African continent in a tangible way.

Barbados has launched an ambitious effort to adapt to an uncertain climate future. However, like many small-island developing states, fiscal constraints make investing in climate adaptation challenging.

Read more about how Barbados partners with UNEP to address the climate challenge, as told by Travis Sinckler, Senior Environmental Officer in the Government of Barbados, in an interview with UNEP:

How Barbados became a mighty voice for climate justice The Caribbean nation has become a vocal leader in the push to help small island developing states adapt to the fallout from climate change.

Barbados is now even more within reach for Kenya and East Africa, with the launch of a codeshare partnership between Kenya Airways (KQ) and Virgin Atlantic (VS).

Passengers can now benefit from competitive through fares with no baggage rechecking on a single KQ ticket from Nairobi to Bridgetown, and a comfortable connection time in London Heathrow.

Fares are now live on Kenya Airways’ website, and more information on the KQ/VS codeshare partnership is available at https://ow.ly/2ANr50SGHmg

The 11th Annual Subcommittee Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) to UNEP concluded last week. The meeting reviewed UNEP's programme of work and budget, considered the financial outlook and opportunities for UNEP, and deliberated on priorities for next year's United Nations Environment Assembly.

Ambassador McDonald, as Permanent Representative of Barbados to UNEP, highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate emergency and mobilising financing in line with the Bridgetown Initiative. Meanwhile, Mr Jovan Reid, Deputy Chief of Mission and CPR bureau member, deputised as Chair for the second and final days of the meeting.

The Nairobi team was also supported by Ms Suzanne Elder, Research Officer in the Ministry of the Environment.

The second phase of the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Volunteers Young Talent Pipeline has started.

The initiative seeks to engage young, talented individuals to become future leaders in environment, pollution and climate action, and candidates from the Caribbean are encouraged to apply.

Assignments are expected to begin in November 2024. For more information and to apply, visit https://ow.ly/7gkY50SCehr

High Commissioner McDonald recently received the newly appointed non-resident High Commissioner of Jamaica to Kenya, Ms. Joan Thomas Edwards (centre), and the Honorary Consul of Jamaica in Kenya, Ms Sue Omaga.

The principals discussed the scope of cooperation opportunities between the Caribbean and Kenya, inclusive of trade and people exchange. They also underscored the desire to have an expanded Caribbean diplomatic footprint in Kenya and East Africa.

June 29 — The Mission hosted a watch party for the exhilarating final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, played live from Barbados. The event treated guests to the island's sights, music and food, continuing the Mission's promotion of Destination Barbados in the East African market.

News update — Barbados is reopened for travel after the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Cricket + Barbados featured by Capital Lifestyle

Barbados High Commission in Kenya Hosts Gala Reception in Honor of ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Host Role It's time to dust off your suitcase and prepare for an unforgettable journey to one of the most enchanting Caribbean nations – Barbados. This year, The Life You’d Like to Live

EARTH DAY 2024 — The theme of today's is 'Planet vs Plastics', in recognition of the urgency of the global plastic pollution crisis.

The persistence of plastics in the environment has severe consequences on the ocean ecosystem, human health and sustainable development. The scale of the problem requires a systemic transformation that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, which also takes into account the special circumstances of small island developing states such as Barbados.

This Earth Day coincides with the fourth round of negotiations on a global treaty to , which is currently underway in Ottawa, Canada. Barbados is represented at these negotiations by a technical delegation from the Permanent Mission of Barbados to UNEP (Mr Jovan Reid), the Environmental Protection Department (Mr Philip Pile and Ms Ann-Marie Eversley) and the Ministry of the Environment of Barbados (Ms Suzanne Elder).

Read more about the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution here: https://ow.ly/nY8a50RllSc

Read more about the activities around Earth Day 2024 here: https://ow.ly/34cF50RllSa

April 17 — High Commissioner McDonald met with Dr Abraham Korir SingOei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to discuss the implementation of existing agreements between Barbados and Kenya, and further cooperation initiatives under the Kenya-Barbados Joint Commission for Cooperation.

April 18 — The first official meeting of the International Tax Task Force (ITTF) was convened yesterday in Washington D.C.

Co-chaired by Kenya, Barbados and France, the ITTF brings governments together to foster political will and advance options for international climate taxes, which could significantly contribute to closing the annual funding gap for developing and vulnerable countries.

Read more about the scope and outcomes of the ITTF meeting here: https://ow.ly/9eYk50RjlXB

Barbados is calling! The Barbados Welcome Stamp allows digital nomads to work remotely in Barbados for up to one year, on a renewable basis. It is available to anyone who meets the visa requirements and whose work is location-independent, whether individuals or families.

To learn more about the Weclome Stamp and the application process, click here https://ow.ly/y4uv50R7cEb

February 28 — The Mission had the honour to sponsor a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) reception, centred around the SINK/RISE art exhibit, in the margins of UNEA-6. The SINK / RISE exhibit, by world-renowned photographer Nick Brandt, captures the human toll of climate change, and highlights the emergency of sea level rise for SIDS.

High-level speakers included Dr Peter Thomson, UNSG Special Envoy for the Ocean, the Environment Ministers of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles and Fiji, and H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly. UN Goodwill Ambassadors Dia Mirza, Antoinette Taus and Rocky Dawuni were also present, as were Ministerial delegations from the Caribbean and Pacific.

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is now underway in Nairobi. Barbados, through the Permanent Mission and the Ministry of the Environment, joins 180+ Member States to deliberate on key resolutions to address climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

In the margins of UNEA, Barbados and UNEP will partner on an exhibit highlighting the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States. In addition, together with the governments of France and Costa Rica, the Mission will also sponsor a side event on the sustainable use of the ocean and seas.

UN Environment Assembly opens with calls for stronger multilateral action Ministers of environment and other leaders from more than 180 nations convened today in Nairobi for the start of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6). With a focus on strengthening environmental multilateralism to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change...

January 11 — The High Commissioner was a guest on Capital FM's 'The Fuse' this morning, where he was interviewed by host Anne Mwaura on Barbados' culture, tourism, politics and the island's close relationship with Kenya.

Pictured are the High Commissioner with Mr Vincent Ochieng, Capital Lifestyle Editor; Ms Anne Mwaura, host of 'The Fuse' and Mr Feisal Baghazal, Group Managing Director at Capital FM Kenya, together with Mr Jovan Reid, Deputy Chief of Mission.

Listen to the full interview here: https://ow.ly/7pt950Qq3cu

The High Commissioner will be a guest on Capital FM’s ‘The Fuse’ radio show at 11:00 am tomorrow, for a deep-dive on Barbados culture and tourism. Tune in on 98.4 FM or online at https://radio.capitalfm.co.ke

NOTICE — Barbadian passport holders must now obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit Kenya. The new travel authorisation must be applied for at least 72 hours before an intended visit.

Apply for your eTA to Kenya only on this Official Government website.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley this week joined African leaders and other high-level officials to inaugurate the BioNTech mRNA-based vaccine manufacturing plant in Kigali, hailing it as a landmark move towards addressing vaccine equity and preparing for future pandemics.

Read more:

Mottley expects benefits of vaccine manufacturing site in Rwanda to trickle down - Barbados Today Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Monday joined African leaders and other high-level officials hailing the inauguration of the BioNTech mRNA-based vaccine manufacturing site in Rwanda as a landmark move towards addressing vaccine equity and preparing for future pandemics. “We stand here today as a liv...

PHOTOS — The High Commission celebrated the 57th Anniversary of Barbados’ Independence at Lake House Tigoni last Thursday in the style of a quintessential Barbados festival.

Brass bands and masqueraders joined over two hundred and fifty guests from the diplomatic corps, media, the travel industry and the private sector for the Mission’s flagship activation to promote Barbados’ tourism, food, culture and investment prospects.

The event's title sponsors were the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados and Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Centre. The event was also made possible through the partnership and financial support of Export Barbados (BIDC), Invest Barbados, Mr. Chris DeCaires, Sustained Conversion Inc., BCQS Ltd., Consumers Guarantee Insurance, Uber and British Airways.

September 22 — The High Commission paid a visit to Sunshine Secondary School in Langata, at the invitation of the school's principal, Ms. Sally Kiprop, and the faculty facilitators of Sunshine's Model UN programme.

The Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Jovan Reid, supported by Mrs. Emily Oduor and Mr. Simon Kinyanjui of the Mission's administration unit, toured the school and participated in a tree planting exercise, before delivering remarks to a special assembly of the student body.

The visit underscores the Mission's commitment to community engagement in Kenya, specifically in youth mentorship and capacity building.

In her address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley called for fundamental changes to global governance, citing the insufficiency of efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

On climate change, the PM emphasised that the interests of a few must not be placed before the lives of many, as she underscored Barbados' position that long-term capital is a critical urgency for financing development and resilience.

Watch here: https://ow.ly/LARa50PQvBF

CONSULAR NOTICE — Barbadian nationals travelling to Kenya and Rwanda are urged to register with the High Commission upon arrival.

Before your travel, the High Commission can also assist with verifying the bona fides of companies, investors, nonprofits, missionary organisations or other entities which may issue solicitations or invitation letters to Barbadian nationals.

Get in touch with the High Commission at [email protected] for any consular queries.

September 4 - The Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, addresses a panel convened by the Global Center on Adaptation on Africa Driving Climate Adaptation.

Billed as an intergenerational dialogue, the Minister joined colleague Ministers and youth advocates on the inclusion of young people in the response to the climate emergency.

The event was opened by Hon. Ababu Namwamba, CS Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts and Mr. Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

September 4 - The delegation of Barbados, led by the Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, is participating in the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi at the invitation of H.E. William S. Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.

The Summit will deliberate and harmonise on climate action imperatives in Africa and the Global South ahead of UNFCCC COP 28 in November.

In addition to the High Commission team, the delegation includes the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, and the Director of the Bridgetown Initiative Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office.

August 23 — Students and faculty coordinators from the Sunshine Secondary School, as participants in the Sub Saharan International Model United Nations, visited the High Commission for a briefing on international relations and multilateral diplomacy.

Received by the Deputy Chief of Mission, the students were briefed on Barbados’ foreign policy perspectives, the drafting position papers and resolutions, and the practical elements of a career in diplomacy.