Local News
VI Delegation Led by Premier Wheatley Attends COP28 to Advocate Climate Action
Premier and Minister responsible for Climate Change, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, is spearheading a three-member delegation representing the Virgin Islands at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai.
COP, an annual gathering, provides a platform for nations party to the UNFCCC to collaboratively assess and agree on measures to mitigate climate change and support the most vulnerable countries, particularly small island developing states, in adapting to its impacts.
Accompanying Premier Wheatley are Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley; Climate Change officer in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Ms. Angela Burnett Penn; and the Acting United Kingdom/European Union Representative, Ms. Tracy Bradshaw.
The delegation will join representatives from other overseas territories and countries worldwide in discussions from November 30 to December 12. The outcomes of this year’s COP are crucial in determining whether the global community can achieve the critical target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a threshold recognized as the limit for the survival of small islands.
A primary focus for the Virgin Islands delegation is advocating for formal recognition of the VI and other Overseas Territories (OTs) under the Convention. This recognition is seen as pivotal for accessing international climate finance to bolster local initiatives for climate resilience and the transition to renewable energy.
Premier Wheatley, alongside counterparts from other British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, will take a lead role in a side event hosted by the Virgin Islands at COP28 through the CARICOM pavilion in collaboration with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission. The event will explore the case for OTs accessing international climate finance within the context of being members/associate members of the OECS and CARICOM.
The VI delegation will also engage in bilateral meetings, attend side events, and showcase multimedia products aimed at attracting international donors to the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund. Additionally, the team will seek investments in renewable energy initiatives and explore opportunities for the Territory to participate in the international carbon credits market.
The Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean are already grappling with the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, heat waves, coral bleaching, stronger hurricanes, floods, droughts, sargassum blooms, and coastal erosion. Adapting to these changes requires significant investments in environmental protection, ecosystem restoration, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Simultaneously, the Government of the Virgin Islands is actively working to enhance the Territory’s resilience and reduce its carbon footprint. Initiatives include updating and implementing the Virgin Islands Climate Change Adaptation Policy and striving to replace 30% of the national electricity supply with renewable energy.
Premier Wheatley, in an earlier interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), emphasized the need for nations contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions to be ambitious in meeting targets to counteract the adverse effects of climate change. He underscored the Caribbean’s vulnerability to climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for global action.
The Government also remains committed to operationalizing The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund, established as an independent entity in March 2015. The Fund is mandated to raise, manage, and disburse donor funds to support climate change adaptation and mitigation in line with the Climate Change Policy.
Education
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
Dr Kedrick Pickering, former legislator and renowned obstetrician, has achieved international recognition with the release of his book, Walk in Faith & Medicine: Daily Lessons & Insights from a Doctor’s Handwritten Journal. Published on December 12, the 139-page Kindle edition has swiftly become the number one New Release in Obstetrics & Gynaecology on Amazon, earning Dr Pickering a place among Amazon’s International Best Sellers.
Walk in Faith & Medicine provides readers with a deeply personal account of Dr Pickering’s tenure as the only Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the British Virgin Islands for nearly three decades. The book intricately weaves his medical experiences with his spiritual reflections, offering profound insights into the challenges of practising medicine in a setting where resources were often limited, but faith and resilience were abundant.
Through heartfelt anecdotes, Dr Pickering recounts the joys and struggles of his career, from the miracle of delivering life under difficult circumstances to the strength he found in spirituality when faced with adversity. Each chapter sheds light on the delicate balance between clinical expertise and moral contemplation.
The book’s release has received widespread acclaim, resonating with audiences in both medical and spiritual communities. Its success highlights Dr Pickering’s unique ability to capture the human side of healthcare while addressing universal themes of faith and hope.
Walk in Faith & Medicine is available exclusively as a Kindle edition and is already being hailed as an inspirational must-read.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) brought smiles to the faces of over 100 children in the British Virgin Islands with a generous donation of Christmas gifts. The initiative, held on December 16, was a collaborative effort between the FCCA, the Government of the Virgin Islands, and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).
The festivities took place at YEP Headquarters in East End, where children were treated to a festive celebration. Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship donned Santa Claus and other character costumes, adding to the magic of the occasion. The event also received sponsorship from Diamond International.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley expressed his gratitude for the FCCA’s ongoing commitment to the Virgin Islands community. “The leadership of the FCCA is a thoughtful group of individuals. For more than two decades, their gift-giving has brought smiles and filled hearts with joy and hope during this special time of year,” said Premier Wheatley. “On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend our sincere thanks to the FCCA and their co-sponsors for their generosity.”
Minister for Ports Hon. Kye M. Rymer highlighted the FCCA’s enduring partnership with the territory. “Their commitment to gift-giving for over 20 years deserves our acknowledgment,” said Rymer. He also commended the BVI Ports Authority for its collaboration with the FCCA in supporting such initiatives.
Director of YEP Hon. Stacy Mather shared his appreciation for the FCCA’s efforts. “This marks our second time receiving gifts from this initiative. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful for this generosity,” he said. “Thanks to the kindness of FCCA, Diamond International, and others, our Christmas celebrations begin a little earlier.”
The event was moderated by Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms. Haley Trott, and attended by Junior Minister for Tourism Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith, Deputy Director of YEP Ms. Bianca Dougan, and other community leaders.
As the festive season brings increased consumer activity, the British Virgin Islands Bank Association (BVIBA) has issued a stern reminder to merchants across the territory regarding compliance with card transaction policies.
The association warns that imposing minimum spending requirements or charging additional fees for card payments is not only against their merchant agreements but also violates regulations established by major payment networks, VISA and Mastercard.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, December 18, warns that merchants engaging in these practices are in breach of their contractual obligations with their respective financial institutions. “We request that all merchants immediately cease these practices to ensure compliance,” the statement read.
The BVIBA comprises several prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, CIBC Caribbean, FirstBank PR, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Popular, Republic Bank (BVI) Limited, and VP Bank (BVI) Limited.
For inquiries or guidance on compliance, the BVIBA advises merchants to contact their respective banks promptly.
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
FCCA Spreads Holiday Cheer in the British Virgin Islands with Christmas Gift Donation
BVI Bank Association Warns Merchants Against Card Transaction Violations
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