The British Virgin Islands has called for the Associate Members of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) to continue to be included in the regional organisation’s COVID-19 response and future initiatives aimed at post-pandemic recovery.
Speaking at the virtual 5th ACS International Cooperation Conference that attracted more than 80 potential donors and development partners, Special Envoy of the Premier Mr. Benito Wheatley expressed the BVI’s sincere appreciation and gratitude for the inclusion of the BVI and other Associate Members of ACS in the organisation’s COVID-19 response in 2020. He stressed that that this should continue as the region redoubles its efforts to combat the pandemic and looks ahead toward recovery. In his official statement to participants, Wheatley said,
“The British Virgin Islands would welcome the continued inclusion of the Associate Members in ACS’ response to COVID-19 that has been generously supported by development partners. Furthermore, we wish to be included in any future initiatives for post-pandemic recovery.”
The Special Envoy also highlighted the BVI’s readiness to participate in regional cooperation on marine conservation and climate change adaptation.
Among the donors and cooperation partners that attended the meeting were the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), Japan International Cooperation Agency, Chile Agency for International Development, European Union (EU), the Bank of ALBA, Argentina, Peru, United Arab Emirates, Italy and The Republic of Korea.
The 5th ACS International Cooperation Conference took place on 25th May 2021 and was chaired by the Dominican Republic in their capacity as Chair of the Ministerial Council of the ACS under the theme, “Recalibrating Cooperation: A Key Driver for the Recovery of the Greater Caribbean.”
The British Virgin Islands is an Associate Member of ACS and remains active in the work of the regional organization that is comprised of 35 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean which are either located in, or bound to, the Caribbean Sea. The purpose of the ACS is to facilitate regional consultation, cooperation and concerted action in trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters in the Greater Caribbean.