The Department of External Affairs on Monday, Feb. 11, officially opened a two-day Inaugural Meeting of the National Coordinating Committee. The meeting is of major national significance as it serves to establish Saint Lucia's National Human Rights Framework. 

The United Nations has been emphasizing the necessity for all countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to organize their reporting on human rights, as it has been a challenge for countries, especially Small Island Developing States.

To help Saint Lucia submit its reports in a quicker manner, the United Nations Development Program along with the Department of External affairs are setting up a National Coordinating Committee to assist in the process. Bynta Ernest, the Foreign Services Officer with the Department of External Affairs, said it is a national obligation to report on such matters in a timely manner.

The inaugural meeting of the National Coordinating Committee for Human Rights ended on Feb. 12.