Recently appointed Minister for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (OTs) the Right Honourable Lord Goldsmith has pledged his support in assisting the BVI and other OTs in their fight against climate change.
This is according to a message relayed by the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull who met with Goldsmith during his ongoing visit in Egypt at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).
Turnbull revealed that a number of issues were discussed with the recently appointed OT Minister during their first meeting on Monday, November 14.
“Among the issues discussed was a need for truer representation of the OTs at international conferences such as COP27, considering that the OTs make up about 90 percent of the UK’s oceans and areas significantly affected by climate change. The appointment of The Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith as OT Minister is in fact opportune, as his professional interests and innate passions comprise nature and the environment. During their meeting, The Rt. Hon. expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity he now has to develop those areas in our respective territories,” Turnbull stated.
He added, “The Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith said that he is pleased to be our representative, and has pledged his support with coordinating financial and technical resources to mitigate the effects of climate change in our different regions.”
Minister Turnbull also disclosed that he has invited Goldsmith to visit the territory to show progress of the Government of National Unity in its implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations.