Premier: UN, VI relations ‘stronger than ever’

As part of its legal obligation to support the world’s non-self-governing territories, the 77th United Nations General Assembly recently adopted its annual resolution to support the Virgin Islands. In that light, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley called the relationship between the UN and VI “stronger than ever” when giving an update on Feb. 10 in the House of Assembly.

“These obligations are in relation to supporting our development as a society and achieving a full measure of self-government in the process of decolonisation,” he said. “Importantly, every year, the UN General Assembly adopts a resolution during its session to reaffirm these legal obligations and other commitments.”

Dr. Wheatley added that this affirmation should help the territory work toward meeting the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN General Assembly in 2015 for completion by 2030.

‘Political turbulence’

The UN passed the resolution in support of the VI on Dec. 12, and Dr. Wheatley said it “reflects the international community’s views on the political turbulence we experienced last year, and calls for continued assistance to the territory from the UN system to support sustainable development and hurricane recovery.”

He added that the UN also extended an official agreement to guide its cooperation, called the “Country Implementation Plan.” It includes seven priorities, focused largely on economic growth and development of equitable law, he explained.

Dr. Wheatley also noted the UN and VI’s partnership through the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework through 2026, among other agreements.

To facilitate such engagements, Premier’s Office Permanent Secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe is chairing the newly established Sustainable Development National Coordinating Committee, he said.

“We anticipate receiving more assistance from the UN in the future, particularly for the implementation of our National Sustainable Development Plan officially approved last week,” he added.

The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals include ending poverty and hunger; providing quality education for all; ensuring access to affordable clean energy; reducing inequality; taking “urgent action” to combat climate change; and ensuring gender equality, among others.

Conferences

Dr. Wheatley also said the territory plans to attend relevant conferences, including the Special Committee on Decolonisation and the UN Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonisation).

A related meeting on Jan. 24 was attended by Dr. Wheatley’s brother Benito Wheatley, the VI representative to the UN and special envoy of the premier, according to a press release from Benito Wheatley.

At the inaugural Joint-Steering Committee meeting of the MultiCountry Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the UN welcomed the VI’s recommendation that “resilience” feature in all UN programmes implemented in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean which are aimed at accelerating sustainable development, according to the press release.

In his intervention at the meeting, Benito Wheatley, spoke about the SDGs.

“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is the aspiration of all Caribbean countries and territories, but there is a risk that the progress we are making with generous UN support could be wiped out by a hurricane or other natural disaster such as an earthquake of volcanic eruption,” he said. “Thus, it is imperative that all UN agencies in the development assistance they are delivering factor in resilience. As a subregion, we have to build up our capacity to bounce back from natural disasters while striving to achieve the SDGs.”

The recommendation was accepted by the co-chairs of the Joint Steering Committee: Didier Trebucq, the UN resident coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean; and Barbados Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, who is also the country’s minister of state.

Meeting’s purposes

Mr. Wheatley also reaffirmed the VI’s commitment to engagement with the UN and reiterated the VI government’s gratitude for recent support from the UN development system, according to the release.

The purposes of the Jan. 24 meeting were to officially establish the MSDCF Joint Steering Committee, to review the results achieved so far under the MSDCF (2022-2026), and to discuss implementation challenges and recommended adjustments, the release stated.