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Virgin Islands Minister Reflects on Climate Progress as OECS Council Meets in Antigua
At the 12th Regular Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers on Environmental Sustainability, outgoing Chairperson Hon. Julian Fraser of the Virgin Islands reflected on a term shaped by urgency, transition, and the growing impact of climate-related disasters across the region.
Fraser, who serves as Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in the Government of the Virgin Islands, offered closing remarks on Tuesday as Antigua and Barbuda officially assumed chairmanship of the Council. The handover took place during a ministerial gathering hosted in St. John’s, Antigua, where leaders convened to advance collaborative environmental policies and regional resilience strategies.
“It is indeed an honor and a privilege to present brief remarks as the outgoing Chairman,” Fraser said, extending formal gratitude to host nation Antigua and Barbuda and its Minister for Health, Wellness and Environment, Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph, the incoming chair.
In his address, Fraser recalled that in 2024, then Minister and current Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, assumed the chairmanship under the theme “From Aspiration to Focused Action.” That meeting, originally delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl, was later held in the wake of the storm’s devastation across St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
“Beryl was the earliest category four Atlantic hurricane on record,” Fraser noted, calling it “a stark reminder of climate predictions for our region, which signal that a pattern of rapidly intensifying hurricanes… is likely to continue.”
Fraser, who took over the environment portfolio just six months ago, acknowledged the brevity of his chairmanship due to governmental transitions, but reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Council’s goals. “No fault of yours,” he said of the limited engagement, “but in fact a reality of Parliamentary Democracy.”
Despite the short term, Fraser emphasized his territory’s contributions to key initiatives, including the OECS Road Map to 2030. “On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I wish to express my gratitude for your support throughout the term,” he said.
This year’s meeting proceeds under the theme “Staying the Course in Perilous Times: Sustainable Transformation and Resilient Prosperity.” Fraser offered his full support to Minister Joseph and the Council moving forward. “I wish him and the entire Council of Ministers all the best for a successful meeting today and a well-executed work program throughout this year,” he said.
The OECS Council of Ministers: Environmental Sustainability is a key decision-making body guiding the subregion’s collective environmental agenda, from climate resilience to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.
Fraser’s remarks were met with appreciation by fellow ministers and development partners, including representatives from the OECS Commission, whose Director General Dr. Didacus Jules and Head of Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, also addressed the gathering.
The meeting continues this week with high-level discussions aimed at advancing sustainable development across the Eastern Caribbean in an era of growing ecological risk.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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