The British Virgin Islands, in coordination with 16 Caribbean governments, has formalised the establishment of a new regional body to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development.

The Caribbean Subregional Sustainable Development Network (CSSDN) was launched following a virtual debriefing of the Eighth Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development. The network is expected to facilitate more structured collaboration among governments implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“The CSSDN creates a dedicated space for Caribbean countries to coordinate and engage on sustainable development issues that matter most to our region,” said Mr Benito Wheatley, Special Envoy of the British Virgin Islands and Vice Chair of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), who chaired the session. Wheatley was selected to serve as Interim Chair of the new network.

Ms Latoya Clarke, Programme Director and SDG Focal Point at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, was named Interim Vice Chair.

The initiative was convened by the Government of the British Virgin Islands with technical support from ECLAC. It is also intended to support the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) and provide a framework for consistent dialogue with the broader United Nations system.

Participants received updates on key sustainable development topics from various UN agencies during the meeting, including a progress report on the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ (UN DESA) SIDS Unit.

Mr Sainivalati Navoti, Chief of the SIDS Unit, was joined by Ms Emanuela Calabrini, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, and Ms Anya Ihsan Thomas, Sustainable Development Officer, in delivering the report.

Mr Abdullahi Abdulkadri, Coordinator of the Statistics and Social Development Unit at ECLAC, and Mrs Diane Quarless, Chief of ECLAC’s Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean in Port of Spain, presented on the outcomes of the forum and the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Caribbean.

Economic strategy was also addressed through a presentation on productive development policy by Mr Paul Wander, Economic Affairs Officer from ECLAC’s Division of Production, Productivity and Management.

At the close of the meeting, participants recognised Mrs Diane Quarless for her contributions to Caribbean sustainable development as she prepares to conclude her term as Chief of ECLAC’s Caribbean Subregional Headquarters.

The meeting included representatives from Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Curaçao, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, and Suriname.

Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands secured first place in the women’s long jump at the Tucson Elite Classic with a leap of 6.43 meters (21 feet 1¼ inches). The event marked Malone’s third meet of the season, following jumps of 6.63 meters in Miami and 6.58 meters in Atlanta.

“Going into Tucson, I was focused on execution,” Malone said. “I’ve been having a little bit of trouble with my approach, so I really wanted to lock in and get that right. Unfortunately, we had a strong headwind, so it made it difficult to be consistent on the board.”

Despite the challenging wind conditions, Malone expressed confidence in her progress and readiness for the rest of the season. “I don’t think the actual results are a true depiction of where I am physically,” she explained. “Long jump is such a technical sport that the simplest thing can affect the overall jump. Once I connect the dots, I truly believe I will fly.”

Malone is no stranger to overcoming adversity. After a knee injury that required surgery, she has worked to reestablish herself in the international long jump scene. Reflecting on her journey, she added, “As you know, my journey back to sport after injury has been one for the books! I’m just living proof that if you truly believe in yourself and work relentlessly towards your goal, anything is possible. That’s what I hope my journey inspires in others.”

Looking ahead, Malone plans to prioritize health and rediscover her rhythm. “For the rest of the season, the goal is to get back to being me,” she said. “Having fun with the sport. Trusting Jehovah fully. Conquering goals! I think this season should be great once I stay healthy.”

Malone continues to build on her performances as she competes in events across the 2025 season.

The British Virgin Islands’ annual cultural festival generated over one million US dollars in revenue last year, but according to Premier Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, that figure was not enough to cover the full cost of staging the event.

“While it’s encouraging that the festival brought in over a million, the reality is that expenses continue to run into the millions,” Dr Wheatley said during a recent appearance on Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, 14 May. “It’s a massive undertaking, and the financial responsibility is shared between government, sponsors, and revenue from ticket sales and other activities.”

The festival, a cornerstone of Virgin Islands cultural life, remains a priority for the government—but not a commercial venture. The Premier was quick to emphasise that the objective is not to generate profit, but to ensure that the event is sustainable and that local vendors and service providers are paid promptly.

“Our role isn’t to make money,” he said. “We want local businesses to benefit. When we charge at the gate or host activities, it’s simply to cover costs and make sure no one is left unpaid.”

This year, government officials are hoping to improve the festival’s management framework by formalising the Festival and Fairs Committee. The Premier confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development is in the final stages of selecting board members, with recommendations expected to go before Cabinet in the coming days.

Among those currently serving are long-standing volunteers, some of whom have applied for official posts on the incoming board. “These are people who have poured their time and energy into making this festival a success year after year,” Wheatley said.

Volunteers currently receive minimal benefits, such as event access, but legislation does allow for stipends to be issued to official committee members. As the structure evolves, Dr Wheatley suggested that further support could be considered for sub-committee leaders who bear significant workloads.

Despite the financial challenges, the Premier remained optimistic about the future of the festival and the community’s enduring commitment to its cultural heritage.

“This is something we do out of love for who we are,” he said. “With better planning and continued support, we’ll keep it alive and thriving.”