Top row, from left: Didier Trebucq, Premier Andrew A. Fahie and Special Envoy Benito Wheatley. Bottom row, from left: Permanent Secretary Dr. Carolyn O’Neal-Morton, UN Resident Coordinator at UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Kenroy Roach and Development Cooperation Officer/Senior Economist Stuart Davies.
NEW YORK/ROAD TOWN--Premier and Minister of Finance, Andrew A. Fahie and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for the Eastern Caribbean, Didier Trebucq signed the first ever Country Implementation Plan (CIP) for the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at a virtual signing ceremony held on August 17.
The CIP will serve as the official framework for development cooperation between the BVI and the UN system on an annual basis. This framework translates into specific plans for development cooperation at the country level and is the UN’s offer to better serve small island developing states (SIDS) as they strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The priority areas for cooperation in the BVI include:
* Supporting COVID-19 response and recovery to ensure no one is left behind in the near- to medium-term;
* Strengthening economic resilience with a focus on repositioning micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) for opportunities in the blue economy;
* Strengthening integrated planning for long-term sustainable development to achieve the SDGs by 2030;
* Improving access to sustainable development financing for: (a) building climate resilience and conservation of marine and terrestrial biodiversity and (b) social development;
* Strengthening policy coordination and implementation to support the effective delivery of public services.
In his remarks, Premier Fahie highlighted the importance of the UN system’s support to the BVI as the society confronts multiple challenges, stating, “This is a pivotal moment in the BVI’s relationship with the UN as we approach the height of the hurricane season. At our most vulnerable point in the season, we are managing COVID-19 and at the same time developing a framework for the long-term sustainable development of our islands. I feel more reassured knowing that we have the support of the UN system during these very uncertain and challenging times.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq reaffirmed the UN system’s commitment to supporting the BVI on key priorities. “Today is another example of how the UN is joining hands with the BVI through a multi-dimensional approach to sustainable development. As the UN system, we value this cooperation immensely. We are working together to provide BVI with a tailored set of development
solutions to meet their various specific needs and priorities,” he explained.
The process of implementing the CIP has commenced as agencies such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are working closely with the government to implement specific initiatives to support the BVI.
The government of the BVI and UN Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Resident Coordinator Office will continue to strengthen their cooperation to assist the territory in achieving the SDGs.
The BVI is one of the 10 countries and territories covered by the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
