Welcome Message from the Permanent Representative

Dear Web Visitor,

Welcome and Greetings!

It is my great pleasure to receive you at the website of the Commonwealth of Dominica Mission to the United Nations. Our attempt is to provide you a glimpse of our activities at the United Nations, and also some information on our country and its people.

Since our admission, as a full member, to the United Nations in 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica has played an active role in the world body. We have attempted to give you an overview of what we do at the United Nations with a view to providing our perspectives on multilateral issues. We will consider our effort worthwhile if the sharing of facts and information could add to your understanding of Dominica and its multilateral diplomacy.

We plan to keep updating the information and hope to gradually expand the site to include more areas. I invite you to stop by our site, as you surf along, to view updates and additions. I trust that your future visits will be even more rewarding.

Should you feel that you need more information, please e-mail your suggestion to us.

Thank you for your interest in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Crispin S. Gregoire
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Nations

The Flag

The flag of the Commonwealth of Dominica consists of a circular emblem of red bearing a Sisserou Parrot(Amazona Imperialis) standing on a twig encircled by ten lime green stars. This is superimposed on three vertical and three horizontal stripes of yellow, black and white forming a triple colored cross against a background of forest green. The central emblem presents the National Bird of Dominica, the Sisserou parrot, also a symbol of flight toward greater heights and fulfillment of aspiration. The Parrot also comes from the Dominica Coat of Arms, thus symbolizing the official seal of the country. The ten lime green stars - the traditional symbol of hope - represent the ten parishes of the country, each with equal status, thus the equality of our people. The red central emblem symbolizes Dominica's commitment to social justice. The yellow, black and white stripes form a triple colored cross representing the Trinity of God. The cross itself demonstrates belief in God since the Commonwealth of Dominica is founded upon the principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God. The yellow stripe represents the sunshine of our land, our main agricultural produce: citrus and bananas; and is also a symbol of the Carib and Arawak people, the first inhabitants of the Island. The white stripe represents the clarity of our rivers and waterfalls and the purity of aspiration of our people. The black stripe represents the rich black soil of our island on which our agriculture is based, as well as our African heritage. The general background of the dark green symbolizes our rich verdant forest and the general lushness of the island.

Description of Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms of Dominica bears the inscription “Apres Bondie C’est La Ter” (after God, the Good Earth), which emphasizes the importance of the soil in the island with its economy based on agriculture. The design depicts a shield divided into four quarters of a cross, referring to the Island’s name, because of its discovery on a Sunday. In the first quarter on the top left, you see the volcanic soil of Dominica supporting a coconut tree, and in the fourth quarter on the bottom right a fully developed banana stem bearing a mature bunch of fruits is shown. Our Crapaud is in the second quarter, while in the third quarter, a canoe under sail glides on the Caribbean Sea. A wreath of silver and blue bears the crest, a golden lion standing upon a black rocky mount with the Siiserou parrot (Amazona imperialis) as supporters.