The BVI participated in the United Nations 13th Ministerial Forum held virtually throughout the week. The Territory currently serves as one of the Vice Chairs of the Regional Conference on Social Development along with countries like Barbados, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Calvin Malone, advocated for greater participation by Associate Member Countries and expressed appreciation on behalf of the Virgin Islands for the Social Protection Grant of $350,000, which will support the Government’s assistance program for unemployed persons and vulnerable families affected by COVID-19.
The Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie participated in the 4th roundtable discussion along with Ministers of Government from Bolivia, Mexico, Panama and Ecuador on Effective Governance beyond Recovery, and shared the Territory’s successes and challenges of managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 9 months.
Hon. Sharie B. de Castro represented the Premier at the 13th Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, where regional long term economic survival was discussed.