 Meantime, diplomatic relations between St. Glutia and the Republic of France deepened with a commitment to combating climate change. Ambassador-designate of the Republic of France to St. Glutia, His Excellency Jacques-Henry Yuls, expressed his commitment to working with St. Glutia in a number of priority areas. The ambassador, who on 22 December 2020, presented letters of credence to Governor-General His Excellency Sir Emmanuel Neville-Snack, highlighted priority areas of collaboration, including finance, developing sub-regional cooperation between OECS member states and the French territories of the Caribbean, climate change with a view of establishing the best ways of building co-finance projects focused on the environment, green energy, the fight against sagasum seaweed, waste management, smart digitisation and water treatment, to name a few. Sexuality and defence will be an important field of my mission as well. As you may recall, we had a temporary maritime agreement in November between the St. Lucien Home Affair, Minister and the Vice-Admiral commanding our forces in the Caribbean. Our ambition is to perpetuate and enrich this agreement so that in case of a security or natural disaster crisis, we could without delay act together to work on its consequences. Unsecurity matters combat against terrorism, drug trafficking and illegal immigration is our common goal. Women in the areas of education and culture are also on the agenda of the newly appointed French ambassador. Governor-General of St. Lucia, His Excellency Sir Emmanuel Neville-Snack, expressed gratitude to the government and people of France for their support, especially during these unprecedented times as the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite our grief, we are floating on a good wave which can change lives forever. So let us not miss this opportunity to change generations. The people of St. Lucia would no doubt wish me to thank France for her readiness to help as demonstrated by the provision of 40 beds and mattresses to the OKEU hospital and of course many other mattresses. She can be assured of our readiness to add our voice to hers in the councils of the world. St. Lucia and the French continue to share a long mutually beneficial relationship with the French recently coming to St. Lucia's aid, providing much-needed supplies and equipment as the island combats the spread of COVID-19.