Published 29 April 2024
Basseterre, Buckie Got It Media Source
St. Kitts and Nevis join CADE members to champion tenets of sport at Summit of the Americas
Washington DC, April 27, 2024 – St. Kitts and Nevis proudly participated in the historic
American Sports Council (Consejo Americano del Deporte) CADE Summit of the Americas,
held in Washington DC on April 25 and 26. This momentous event brought together 41
member countries of CADE, fostering collaboration and dialogue to advance sport initiatives
across the Western Hemisphere.
Representing St. Kitts and Nevis at this prestigious gathering were Permanent Secretary
Valencia Syder of the Ministry of Sport and the Creative Economy, and Shawn Seabrookes,
the Focal Point for the National Sport Policy. Their presence underscored our nation’s
commitment to the principles of inclusivity and equity in global sport. This was the first time
that our twin-island state played a part in the CADE session.
The summit, facilitated by the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy
(ONDCP), served as a platform for sharing best practices, technical exchanges, and training
opportunities to promote the positive impact of sports. Throughout the event, international
organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), UNESCO International
Convention Against Doping in Sport, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Special
Olympics, and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) delivered
insightful presentations.
St. Kitts and Nevis played an active role in the creation of significant declarations aimed at
enhancing the promotion of sport at a hemispherical level. These declarations reaffirm our
nation’s dedication to fostering a culture of sport that transcends boundaries and promotes
healthy competition, camaraderie, and excellence.
Syder signing the CADE Summit declarations
“Our country’s participation in the CADE Summit of the Americas reinforces that St. Kitts
and Nevis remain steadfast in our commitment to leveraging sport as a vehicle for social
development, youth empowerment, and national unity. We extend our gratitude to all
stakeholders involved in organizing this landmark event and look forward to continuing our
collaborative efforts to harness the power of sport for the betterment of our society,”
Permanent Secretary Syder intimated.
CADE was established in 2003. The recently concluded summit marked the first time the
U.S. led and hosted the hemispherical convention. The U.S assumed leadership of CADE (by
rotation) in 2023, for a two-year period. The country leading CADE would typically serve as
the Americas region’s sole representative on the 16-Member Board of WADA.
CADE comprises two sub-divisions: the Consejo Sudamericano del Deporte (CONSUDE) for
South America and the Consejo Centroamericano y del Caribe del Deporte (CONCECADE)
for Central America and the Caribbean. These sub-divisions facilitate focused collaboration
and development initiatives tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of each region.
