The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF) is a legally established financing mechanism designed to meet the highest international standards. Its mandate is to mobilise and deliver funding for climate resilience in the Territory, and is positioned to serve other Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. Photo: VICCTF/Freeman Rogers

A small delegation led by Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) will officially launch the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund in the Canary Islands on April 21, 2026. Photo: GIS/File

The Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) will be held in Gran Canaria from April 20-22, 2026. Photo: Internet Source

The launch will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, with remarks from Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and CEO Mr Chamberlain Emmanuel.

According to a press release on behalf of the Fund, this marks a significant milestone as the Fund enters its operational phase, with over USD $5.5 million secured and ready to begin financing climate resilience projects across the Territory.

The Fund has been established to address the persistent barriers that Overseas Territories face in accessing international climate finance, offering a practical, locally governed mechanism to mobilise and deploy funding where it is most needed.

'Defining step'

Commenting on the Launch, Hon Fraser said: “The launch of the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund represents a defining step in strengthening our Territory’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. For too long, small island territories have faced barriers in accessing the financing needed to protect our communities, infrastructure and natural resources.

"This Fund is our commitment to changing that reality, by creating a credible, transparent and locally driven mechanism to mobilise and deliver climate finance where it is needed most. We are not only investing in our own future, but also positioning the Virgin Islands to support and lead collaborative solutions for other island territories facing similar challenges.”

With seed funding in excess of USD $5.5. million secured through the local Environmental Levy, the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chamberlain Emmanuel (formerly of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission), and the establishment of its Secretariat, the Fund will be positioned to actively mobilise and deploy climate finance for resilience projects that strengthen infrastructure, protect natural ecosystems, and support communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from climate-related impacts.

“The Launch of The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund at the Global Sustainable Islands Summit will be the moment where vision becomes action. The Trust Fund will be operational, resourced, and ready to deliver tangible impact-supporting climate resilience locally, positioning to deliver at scale regionally, while serving as a model for island nations globally,” Mr Emmanuel commented.