September 25, 2014 - The Government of the Virgin Islands is gearing up to host the Inaugural Meeting of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers of Environmental Sustainability from September 30 to October 1.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said he is extremely pleased that the Virgin Islands has been chosen to host another regional meeting.
“Hosting these types of regional events allow us to showcase and market the Territory as a prime venue for business conferences and fora,” Premier Smith added.
He said, “As host, we are also better positioned to strengthen our relationships with our Caribbean counterparts as we collaborate on regional issues such as climate change and environmental sustainability.”
The upcoming meeting is sponsored by the OECS and will bring together technical persons with expertise surrounding sustainability. Importantly, several ministers with environmental sustainability portfolios from the member states will attend.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering said he was thrilled to see such “a meeting of minds” come to the Virgin Islands.
“The environment is our strength and can also be our downfall. It holds every aspect of our lives together and in this day and age it has proven wise to come together as Small Island developing states to address environmental issues in unity and synergy,” he said.
The meeting will include technical and high-level dialogues to foster partnerships. Participants will also seek to address among some areas; technical cooperation and coordination among OECS Member States especially in key areas of natural disasters; Climate Change issues including the development of sustainable land management policies; and energy issues including regional and national energy efficiency.
The Government of the Virgin Islands looks forward to welcoming the delegates to the Territory as they work together to strengthen the environment within the Caribbean region.
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