London Daily

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

Premier pledges help to OTs seeking UN sustainable development support

Premier pledges help to OTs seeking UN sustainable development support

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has pledged his administration’s assistance to Overseas Territories (OTs) seeking United Nations support for sustainable development.
The Premier participated in a virtual Pre-Joint Ministerial Council on June 10 where he also thanked the political leaders of the British Overseas Territories (OTs) for their support to the Virgin Islands during the territory’s recent political turbulence.

“The strong advocacy of my OT colleagues, particularly in the Caribbean territories, made a difference in the outcome of the United Kingdom government’s decision to not partially suspend the constitution in response to the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry report. They have also generously offered technical assistance as the Government of National Unity implements reforms,” Dr Wheatley said.

Among the issues also discussed by the OT Leaders, was the impact of the loss of development assistance from the European Union (EU) caused by Brexit. On this agenda item, the Premier shared the success of the Virgin Islands in pivoting from the EU to the UN in securing technical assistance and funding for sustainable development to help replace EU development assistance.

“We have developed a strong relationship with the United Nations in support of our sustainable development and goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. ECLAC has helped us to develop a National Sustainable Development Plan, and UNDP is assisting us with disaster risk reduction and socio-economic recovery from COVID-19,” Dr Wheatley said.

“The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Barbados is facilitating our participation in a joint programme for social protection and youth economic empowerment being implemented by UNICEF, UNESCO, World Food Programme and the International Labour Organisation. My Administration will support our sister territories in engaging the UN as they seek similar assistance,” he added.

The OT leaders also discussed UK/OT relations, the environment, education, financial services, and economic resilience in preparation for ministerial meetings with the United Kingdom Government in November. The OTs represented at the pre-JMC included Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands and Pitcairn.

Premier Wheatley was joined by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Dwynel Davis, Special Envoy of the Premier Benito Wheatley, Acting Director of the BVI London Office Tracy Bradshaw and Deputy Director of the BVI London Office Siobhan Flax.
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
×