Barbados is still determined to host the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 15.
But not this year.
Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, revealed moments ago that due to the second wave of the COVID-19 virus sweeping across North America and Europe, the event would be postponed for a second time.
UNCTAD 15 was originally due to be held here in April, but when COVID-19 hit in March, was rescheduled for October 18-21.
But those dates will not be sustainable, Mottley revealed.
The conference, expected to attract delegates from more than 40 countries, has now been tentatively set for October 3-8, 2021, with pre-events set for October 1.
Mottley, speaking via zoom along with UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi, said it would have been impossible to stage the event this year as an in-person conference, due to logistical issues which would have arisen from trying to get a high volume of participants into Barbados and properly into a conference location while still adhering to the country’s public health protocols. (BA)
