President’s Greeting
The holidays are a great time to be with family and friends, but I’m always a little sad when the festivities are over. I didn’t have much time to prolong the fun or to put away decorations because we’re jumping right into a honey flow, and several regional projects. Most importantly preparations are well underway for the 11th Caribbean Beekeepers Congress to be held in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines in September 2022.
It has been two very long years since we have seen each other, and I’m sure we will have a lot of catching up to do! I predict there will be long conversations with welcome cocktails, all focused on the bee business. A great way to meet new and old friends, ask questions, compare beekeeping notes, and tell your best bee jokes!
I am confident the Team in SVG will have an excellent agenda prepared for all of us, with a great selection of keynote speakers, technical papers, and possibly a Regional Honey Show. This is also a great time for individual respective member organizations to start to compile your country reports and technical papers you wish to share.
This has been a great year for pollinators, and bees by extension. We have seen several initiatives undertake across the Caribbean to support apiculture and improve livelihoods. Organizations, such as GEF SGP UNDP, BES Net, IICA, FAO, Darwin Plus Funding Scheme, have all contributed to improving livelihoods, the plight of pollinators and our biodiversity.
As the adventures of a new year are already upon us, I would like to thank my fellow ACBO Executive Members, VP Mr. Gladstone Solomon, Treasurer Mr. Mohammed Halim, Past President Mr. Aubrey Roberts, Secretary Ms. Mylene Stedman and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Diana Spacelle Harry, without this great team the work of the ACBO would be that much harder. I would like to thank Mr. Giles Romulus of GEF SGP UNDP (Saint Lucia) for all the work he has done in Saint Lucia to help expand the apiculture sector in Saint Lucia. Thanks to Mr. Gregg Rawlins, Brent Theophile IICA (OECS), Mr. Kurt Delice IICA (SUR) and Craig Thomas IICA (ANT) for all the work their organization have contributed to apiculture in the Region. Dr. Sharda Mahabir GEF SGP UNDP (Trinidad & Tobago) and her team of beekeepers in the Brasso Seco. Mrs. Natalya Lawrence GEF SGP UNDP (Antigua & Barbuda), Jermaine Scotland, President – Antigua Beekeepers Cooperative, Brent Georges (MoA). Mrs. Farah Mukhida of the Anguilla National Trust and her Team of Eco Warriors. Finally, all the GEF SGP UNDP National Coordinators and the respective National Committees for supporting the South / South Apiculture and Biodiversity Project.
In closing I would like to thank all the beekeeping organizations across the Region and Internationally for their support, and kindness. See you all in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines!
Richard Matthias
ACBO President
