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Premier Wheatley pledges cooperation on sustainable development

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has pledged his administration’s assistance to Overseas Territories (OTs) seeking United Nations support for sustainable development. Photo: GIS/File
CARICOM and the Organisation of American States (OECS) had stood in solidarity with the Virgin Islands in its opposition to direct rule and suspension of the local constitution by the United Kingdom. Photo: CARICOM/OECS
CARICOM and the Organisation of American States (OECS) had stood in solidarity with the Virgin Islands in its opposition to direct rule and suspension of the local constitution by the United Kingdom. Photo: CARICOM/OECS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) 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, 2022, 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.

Premier hails 'strong advocacy' of OT colleagues

Premier Wheatley, according to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on June 17, 2022, said: “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.”

CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) had stood in solidarity with the Virgin Islands in its opposition to direct rule and suspension of the local constitution by the United Kingdom.

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.

VI will support advocacy for sister OT's- Premier

Premier Wheatley stated, “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, UNDP is assisting us with disaster risk reduction and socio-economic recovery from COVID-19, and 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.”

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 Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt Igwe, Financial Secretary Mr Jeremiah G.A. Frett, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms Dwynel Davis, Special Envoy of the Premier Mr E. Benito Wheatley, Ag. Director of the BVI London Office Ms Tracy Bradshaw and Deputy Director of the BVI London Office Ms Siobhan Flax.

12 Responses to “Premier Wheatley pledges cooperation on sustainable development”

  • WEW (19/06/2022, 13:42) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    "sustainable development." ---- Only for big name belongers.
  • GOODNESS GRACIOUS (19/06/2022, 13:43) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    OUR NEW MASTER LOOKS LIKE A PLAYBOY NOW , HOPE HE SHED THAT BIG YOUTH MENTALITY / HE HAS A COUNTRY TO RUN , AND HE HAS TO ADOPT ( INTEGRITY ) AS HIS GUIDE , NO MORE SCRIPT
  • Rubber Duck (19/06/2022, 14:16) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    Every day more meaningless verbiage.

    Meanwhile the schools are falling down.
  • The Reaper (19/06/2022, 15:09) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Election .U are all out.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (19/06/2022, 16:00) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good political speech Hon. Dr. Natalio Sajande Wheatley, but good speeches, and empty substanceless political rambling by you at this time falls far short of what are needed to fix the many misdeeds of previous, and especially the VIP government has got us burden Down with at this time.
    For the silent majority, I included, "Action speak much louder than words.
    This day is June 19, 2022, help us, that is if you, and the so-called unity government have the ability to so, know of the whereabouts, and the reclamation of our unaccounted finances that we so dearly need.
    In addition to the many unsolved mysteries unknown by us at this present time, could you Hon. Premier enlightened, if you have anything information about the he Government official that the Governor John J. Rankin mentioned, (Government official 1).
    Stop trying side tract our attention from the issues most important to us at this time.
    What do you, and now know about 2030?
    2022 is still ongoing. Our unaccounted finances mismanaged by our political leaders is the main issue at hand..
  • push (19/06/2022, 17:23) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    more fill into the sea to create flat land for 'sustainable development.' Never mind hurricane storm surge damage, earth quakes and rising sea levels because the developments on the land fill are sustainable until destroyed by one or all of the above natural events. Irma destroyed the CAB but due to 'sustainable development' the BVI government is spending millions to 'sustain' the remains of the 30+ year old building for the next disaster.
  • @ SENIOR CITIZEN (19/06/2022, 20:54) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    YOU ARE SO RIGHT , AND THEY MAY COME AT YOU FOR BEING TRUTHFUL , , THEY SITTING IN THE ROAD NOW TO CREATE DRAMA WHILE BLAMING THE BRITISH FOR SOMETHING THEY CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE , AND SINGING RACISM , AND COLONIALISM AS AN EXCUSE EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE ALREADY KNOW WHAT WENT ON , LORD HELP US
  • .... (19/06/2022, 21:39) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    we need to hear the game plan for Road Town primary school because as you blink summer is over...we letting this generation down everyday with our education system
  • oh boy (19/06/2022, 22:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh boy
  • VGB (20/06/2022, 09:54) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Try your best premier but still all of you have to take the blame
  • Windham (20/06/2022, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's done is done. Some of us love to ring our hands and cry about spilt milk but move on we must. Positive vibes Honourable Wheatley let us look to the future not dwell on the past.
  • wake up (20/06/2022, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UN is bad news. The UN might be the Beast in the Bible. Keep away from everything UN, WHO, World Economic Forum, George Soros, Bill Gates, Klaus Schwab. Wake up now. Keep One World Government People and Corporations out of the BVI, this is a Christian Nation. We trust in Jesus and not the UN and the rest of those demonic societies.


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