Group Photo of Regional Conference on South-South Cooperation Leadership Bureau. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands was as selected a Vice Chair of the Second Regional Conference on South-South Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean during the meeting of the Second Regional Conference held in Santiago, Chile from June 17 to 18, 2025. Photo: Internet Source

The selection was made by member states of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) during the meeting of the Second Regional Conference held in Santiago, Chile, from June 17 to 18, 2025. 

The Second Regional Conference on South-South Cooperation was established in 2023 to support development cooperation between the countries of the region.

VI’s selection a strong show of confidence from member states

According to a press release on June 19, 2025, the selection of the VI was a “strong show of confidence” in the territory by member states. 

As Vice Chair, the VI, through its representative Special Envoy Mr E. Bentio Wheatley, will assist Chile as the new Chair for a two-year term from 2025-2027. 

Mr Wheatley said, “The British Virgin Islands’ selection as a Vice Chair of this important Regional Conference on South-South Cooperation by the Member States of Latin America and the Caribbean is a vote of confidence in the British Virgin Islands and our ability to positively contribute to the advancement of the region through our consistent engagement and steadfast leadership.”

He said he is humbled by the selection, adding that it will “provide the Regional Conference with both a Caribbean perspective and the perspective of an Associate Member of ECLAC on development cooperation within the wider region.”

Other responsibilities of Regional Conference

The release added that, among other things, the Regional Conference’s leadership bureau will support South-South cooperation between Member States in which they offer each other technical assistance based on their respective competencies and areas of expertise that can support national development. 

Triangular cooperation will also be a priority in which Member States cooperate on development initiatives with multilateral organisations and the backing of a developed country.

The other Vice Chairs of the leadership bureau include Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

The Virgin Islands is also currently serving as a Vice Chair of UN ECLAC itself, as well as the regional commission’s subsidiary body, the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC).