London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Hon Fahie wants more UN support as region tackles COVID pandemic

Hon Fahie wants more UN support as region tackles COVID pandemic

Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has advocated for more support from the United Nations as the Caribbean region battles the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants.

The Premier made the calls via remarks delivered during the December 13, 2021, signing ceremony of the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the English and Dutch Speaking Caribbean, covering the period 2022-2026.

COVID increased regional vulnerability - Premier


Calling it a great day for the Virgin Islands, Eastern Caribbean and the wider Caribbean region, the Premier said the region is at a critical stage where the global pandemic has increased our vulnerability as a grouping of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal countries.

“The now fast-spreading Omicron variant also reminds us that we are not out the woods yet. Many countries and territories continue to experience the negative economic, social, and health impacts of the virus. Controlling COVID and achieving a balanced recovery will take longer than anyone imagined.”

“Without a doubt, we need the support of the UN now more than ever. Your assistance is critical if we are to still achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Despite the scale of the challenge, I remain confident and optimistic that the SDGs are still within reach, but it will require tireless effort, multisectoral partnerships, and creative approaches to resource mobilization,” Hon Fahie said.

The Premier highlighted that within the MSDCF, the Virgin Islands will be seeking UN support to implement the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP), which is now in advanced draft form after months of public consultation and technical assistance from ECLAC.

Hon Fahie expressed gratitude for the inclusion of the territory in the various UN joint programmes to accelerate SDGs implementation given the Virgin Islands would often have difficulties qualifying for development assistance he said.


More support needed - Premier


“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to you Didier [Mr. Didier Trebucq, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados] for living up to the UN mantra of ‘leaving no one behind’. You have made every effort to ensure that the British Virgin Islands is included in UN assistance to the Eastern Caribbean to support COVID response.”

Hon Fahie expressed gratitude for the inclusion of the territory in the various UN joint programmes to accelerate SDGs implementation given the Virgin Islands would often have difficulties qualifying for development assistance he said.

“Looking ahead to 2022, my Administration looks forward to continuing to work closely with UN colleagues on UN assistance to the British Virgin Islands within the framework of our Country Implementation Plan,” he said.

He said the plan will support the territory’s transition from recovery to sustainable development and unveiled plans to open a satellite Resident Coordinator Office in the VI during the first half of 2022.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×