Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering is representing the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) at a High-Level Conference on Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) in Europe held May 22, in Brussels.
Minister Pickering left on May 20 and is expected to return on May 25. The high-level conference will provide a platform to present the work that has already been undertaken by the Member States, the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA). The event aims to reinforce the engagement of the Member States and help to ensure the sustained commitment of the associated European Commission services and the EEA.
Prior to leaving the Deputy Premier said, “I am honoured to represent the Premier of the Virgin Islands and the Overseas Countries and Territories at such an important meeting. Topics concerning the assessment of ecosystems continue to be relevant on a small and international scale.”
The Deputy Premier is accompanied by Mr. Kedrick Malone of the BVI London Office and Mrs. Michelle Bhajan of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour.
In December, 2013, the OCTA held its 12th Ministerial Conference, where all 22 OCT political leaders gathered to support and approve the creation of a Board of Chairs, in order to help increase the visibility of the association and of OCTs with the European institutions. At this conference the British Virgin Islands was voted in as the new Chair of OCTA.
The Government of the Virgin Islands strives to maintain and promote affirmative international relations and the sustainable development of the Territory.
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