Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mr Simon Springett is paying a two-day visit to the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the visit by the UN Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr Simon Springett, aims to deepen the relationship with the United Nations network of institutions to deliver tangible results that will beneficially impact the lives of everyone in the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File

Mr Springett’s visit is scheduled for October 1 to 2, 2024, and marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration on sustainable development initiatives, a press release from the Government Information Service (GIS) stated.

Mr Springett will present his credentials to Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and engage in discussions on the importance of joint efforts in addressing the Virgin Islands’ development challenges.

Importance of visit cannot be understated- Premier

Premier Wheatley said, “The importance of the incoming Resident Coordinator’s visit to the Virgin Islands cannot be understated. His visit aims to deepen the relationship with the United Nations network of institutions to deliver tangible results that will beneficially impact the lives of everyone in the Virgin Islands.”

Additionally, Mr Springett will engage with the Government's Sustainable Development Goals National Coordinating Committee (SDGNCC) to discuss the implementation of the UN Country Implementation Plan (UN CIP) for the Virgin Islands.

The plan serves as the national instrument for implementing the UN Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) 2024-2026 which is the main planning and programming instrument for the Caribbean region.

Key highlight of visit

A key highlight of Mr Springett's mission will be the official launch of the Working Group on the Development of a Roadmap to Improve Access to Development Finance for Eastern Caribbean Overseas Territories. This initiative aims to create a strategic framework to enhance access to development finance, addressing critical issues faced by the region.