BVI, 12th May 2017 -- Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources & Labour Dr. Hon. Kedrick Pickering addressed the United Nations (UN) on behalf of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on 9th June at the High-Level Ocean Conference at UN Headquarters in New York between 5th – 9th June 2017, which was held to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development.
In his statement delivered in plenary at the General Assembly Hall, the Minister who is responsible for the marine environment and fisheries said,
“We wholly support the implementation of SDG 14. As a microstate surrounded by water, I can truly say that the Sea means everything to us. It is a source of food, culture, livelihood, health, and more especially, our well-being. The sea also serves as inspiration, transportation and a driver of economic activity. We have an intimate relationship with the Sea that is at the heart of our development and identity as a people.”
The Deputy Premier also welcomed the commitment by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean to provide the BVI with technical assistance for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“I am pleased to report that the United Nations at the regional level has been responsive to the needs of microstates such as the British Virgin Islands. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has selected us as one of the first round of countries in the region to receive technical assistance for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the Minister for Natural Resources said.
However, he further called on the United Nations to provide greater support from across its various agencies to Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) that are Associate Members of the regional commissions.
“Not only should there be support from the regional commissions for their Associate Members, but technical assistance should be afforded from across the United Nations system where it is possible, in order to ensure that a true opportunity is given to all to implement the 17 SDGs, which are universal aspirations,” the Deputy Premier said.
Separately on 7th June, the Minister made an official statement on behalf of the BVI at the Ocean Conference’s Partnership Dialogue on Making Fisheries Sustainable. He also made remarks and contributed views at a number of side-events in relation to Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Commenting on the territory’s representation at the Ocean Conference, the Deputy Premier said,
“Our participation at the Oceans Conference was the culmination of sustained engagement with the United Nations at regional and international level over the past five years. Where it concerns international issues such as marine sustainability, climate change and biodiversity that directly affect us as a Small Island Developing State, it is critical that the BVI is present at the relevant international forums and that our voice is heard, particularly as the UN consider solutions to a number of the challenges we face as a territory. I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Benito Wheatley, BVI London Office Director, who accompanied me. He is an exceptional diplomat whose skills have enabled us to have greater representation and participation in the UN system.”
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