BVI Leads Charge for Small Island Sustainability: Latin American Allies Rally at ECLAC Meeting

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) emerged as a beacon for the sustainable development aspirations of small island nations, rallying Latin American allies at the 7th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development in Santiago, Chile.

With the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) looming on the horizon in Antigua and Barbuda, the BVI government, led by Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley, seized the opportunity to spotlight the unique challenges faced by the 13 Associate Members of UN ECLAC nestled in the Caribbean.

At the heart of Mr. Wheatley’s impassioned plea was a call for global recognition and support for the Associate Members’ relentless pursuit of sustainable development and climate resilience. Addressing the panel, moderated by Mrs. Diane Quarless of the ECLAC Caribbean Subregional Headquarters, Mr. Wheatley emphasised, “The Associate Members remain undeterred in our quest for support… Together, we will strive to ensure they are not left behind.”

Acknowledging the pivotal role of international cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, Mr. Wheatley underscored the pressing need for greater acknowledgment and corresponding assistance for the Associate Members, particularly under the forthcoming SIDS Programme of Action.

The significance of BVI’s advocacy reverberated throughout the conference, culminating in an affirming outcome. In a resounding declaration of support, the Member States of the Forum pledged to recognize the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by the Associate Members, committing to their continued inclusion in the work of ECLAC and its subsidiary bodies.

The reverberations of this collective endorsement reverberate far beyond the halls of the Santiago conference. As the SIDS4 conference approaches, the assurance of regional solidarity serves as a powerful catalyst, propelling the BVI and its fellow Associate Members towards a future of sustainable development and resilience.