Premier meets with London rep at UN

Following the United Nations’ recent adoption of a “Pact for the Future” to further sustainable development and other global goals, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley met last week with a senior United Kingdom official to discuss related collaboration between the UK and its overseas territories.

During the premier’s Oct. 7 session with James Kariuki, the UK deputy permanent representative to the UN, the pair discussed a series of expert reviews launched last month by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, according to a press release from the Virgin Islands government.

Those reviews are currently examining various topics: the UK’s global impact; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s “joint integrated development diplomacy model;” and the UK’s economic capability in diplomacy, the release stated.

‘Modern partnership’

In his meeting with Mr. Kariuki, Dr. Wheatley stressed the importance of including the OTs in these reviews “in the context of a modern partnership between the UK and OTs and respect for the OTs’ self-determination,” according to the release.

The pair also discussed governance reform and the UN Special Committee on Decolonization’s mission to the VI on Aug. 26-27.

For his part, Mr. Kariuki affirmed the UK’s commitment to the OTs’ security, stability and prosperity and the importance of the UK-OT partnership and international cooperation, according to the release.

‘Strong partners’

Following the meeting, Dr. Wheatley said he was grateful for the session and for the UN committee’s recent visit.

“The overseas territories are strong partners of the UK in several areas of international cooperation,” he said. “The UK, as a pivotal country in the international system, can deepen cooperation with the OTs in support of our self-determination and efforts to gain greater access to development finance and climate finance that would help drive our sustainable development and climate resilience.”

The meeting was held at the offices of the UK Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. Also in attendance was Benito Wheatley, the premier’s brother and special envoy.