Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley is preparing to deliver a statement during the upcoming June Substantive Session of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization.
The 2024 resumed session will meet in New York from 10 to 21 June.
The Premier made the announcement during a recent press conference.
In addition, Wheatley provided an update on the long-awaited official visiting mission of the UN Decolonization Committee to the British Virgin Islands, revealing the delegation will be in the Territory from July 15th to 17th, 2024.
The BVI formally requested the official visiting mission earlier this year, with the UN Decolonization Committee (also known as the C-24) approving the request as part of its 2024 work program. This development was initially announced by Premier Wheatley back in March.
The official visit aims to allow the UN committee to directly assess the situation and aspirations of the people of the BVI regarding decolonization, self-determination, and the territory’s advancement toward a full measure of self-government. This aligns with relevant UN resolutions on these matters.
Premier Wheatley’s upcoming statement before the C-24 in June provides an opportunity to outline the Territory’s position and desires ahead of the visiting mission’s arrival in July.
Both the Premier’s address and the committee’s visit carry significant weight as the Virgin Islands continues its long-standing constitutional review process to determine its future self-governance goals and relationship with the United Kingdom.
The visiting mission’s findings and report are expected to further guide and inform discussions surrounding the BVI’s decolonization path in the months ahead.