Minister of Health and Social Development Hon. Carvin Malone has expressed the British Virgin Islands support for advancing the social development of the region at the virtual UN ECLAC Fourth Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, held on 13th January 2021.
In his capacity as a Vice Chair of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference, Hon. Malone joined Ministers of Social Development from across Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss progress on the implementation of the Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development and approval of a proposed work plan to guide next steps by the regional body. Expressing his support for the draft work plan, Hon. Malone said, “The Draft Plan of Work of the Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development is a clear roadmap for the region to follow as we take steps toward realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Minister of Social Development also highlighted the importance of the Caribbean’s inclusion in the process. According to Hon. Malone,
“In terms of the Thematic Working Groups under which the work contained in the Drat Plan will be taken forward, the addition of the Working Group “Leaving no one behind in the Caribbean,” is one that is important for the Caribbean region, given our unique social and historical challenges as Small Island Developing States.”
He also encouraged the Associate Member Countries of ECLAC to fully participate in the implementation of the Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development, saying,
“I would like to encourage the active participation of the Associate Member Countries of ECLAC (AMCs) in the work of this Regional Conference. There is much that we can contribute and gain from our exchanges with our colleagues in the wider region.”
Hon. Malone thanked Mexico as Chair for leading the work of the Presiding of Officers of the Regional Conference throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic period and congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on their selection as host of the next session of the Regional Conference in the latter half of 2021.
The British Virgin Islands delegation to the meeting included Minister of Health and Social Development Hon. Carvin Malone (Head of Delegation), Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Tasha Bertie, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Dr. Carolyn O’Neal-Morton, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Ms. Najan Christopher, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms. Dwynel Davis, Programme Officer Ms. Xyrah Wheatley and Special Envoy of the Premier Mr. Benito Wheatley.