Among the activities planned for Diplomatic Week 2025 is Friendship Day in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Photo: GIS/File

The Virgin Islands will observe Diplomatic Week for the first time from October 18 to October 25, 2025. Among the activities planned are Friendship Day in the USVI, Heroes and Foreparents Day, and a UK Caribbean Overseas Territories Caucus. Photo: Facebook

According to Dwynel Davis, Acting Director of the International Affairs Secretariat at the Government of the Virgin Islands, the observance of Diplomatic Week is significant. During a GIS Report on Friday, October 10, 2025, Davis emphasized the importance of this week, stating,’’ not just that it's important, but I think that this diplomatic week is quite meaningful because it's happening in the midst of diplomatic-related activities.’’ Photo: Internet source

According to Dwynel D. Davis, Acting Director of the International Affairs Secretariat at the Government of the Virgin Islands, the observance of Diplomatic Week is significant. During a GIS Report on Friday, October 10, 2025, Davis emphasised the importance of this week, stating, "not just that it's important, but I think that this diplomatic week is quite meaningful because it's happening in the midst of diplomatic-related activities."

The USVI will kick off the week by hosting Friendship Day from October 18 to 19. "We start off the week, actually, going to the USVI to participate in the friendship day activities. We then come back and we celebrate Heroes and Foreparents Day, and then we go into the premier hosting the UK Caribbean overseas territories’ caucus," Davis explained.

She noted that the caucus will bring together all the United Kingdom's Overseas Territories located in the Caribbean to discuss relevant issues. Leading up to the leaders' caucus, there will be a welcome reception where the Premier will honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the Virgin Islands in the fields of international relations and diplomacy, in recognition of Heroes and Foreparents Day.

Panel discussion

Following the caucus, there will be a panel discussion that evening focused on the importance of international relations for Overseas Territories.

Davis indicated that the discussion will centre on how these territories represent their interests on the global stage, especially considering that they are not self-governing and the UK retains responsibility for their external affairs.

"I hope that the panel discussion will highlight how Overseas Territories conduct paradiplomacy. There’s the interest of the UK, but there's also the individual interest of each overseas territory and how they go about engaging in the international space," Davis concluded.