The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springette, has begun a two-day visit to the Virgin Islands from today, October 1, marking a significant step in fostering collaboration on sustainable development initiatives in the territory.
Springette’s visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the Virgin Islands and the United Nations, as well as to advance efforts on sustainable development projects. During his visit, he is scheduled to present his credentials to Premier Dr. the Hon, Natalio Wheatley, with discussions focusing on how joint efforts can effectively address the development challenges faced by the Virgin Islands.
Premier Wheatley emphasized the importance of the visit, stating, “His visit aims to deepen the relationship with the United Nations network of institutions to deliver tangible results that will beneficially impact the lives of everyone in the Virgin Islands.”
In addition to meeting with Premier Wheatley, Springette will also engage with the Government’s Sustainable Development Goals National Coordinating Committee (SDGNCC) to discuss the implementation of the UN Country Implementation Plan (UN CIP) for the Virgin Islands.
The UN CIP serves as the primary national instrument for enacting the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for 2024-2026, which serves as the main planning and programming guide for sustainable development in the Caribbean region.
A key highlight of Springette’s visit will be the official launch of the Working Group on the Development of a Roadmap to Improve Access to Development Finance for Eastern Caribbean Overseas Territories. This initiative aims to establish a strategic framework to enhance access to development finance, addressing the critical financial challenges faced by the region.