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BVI Leads Launch of Caribbean Sustainable Development Network
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.
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First Cohort of BVI Care Certificate Graduates as Territory Moves to Standardise Health and Social Care Training
Nineteen care professionals from across the British Virgin Islands have completed the Territory’s inaugural Care Certificate programme, marking a significant step towards standardised, quality care in both public and private health and social service sectors.
Nineteen participants—14 women and five men—completed the 16-week programme, which included face-to-face and online training sessions, independent study, practical demonstrations, and formal assessments. The Care Certificate was developed by Skills for Care, Health Education England, and Skills for Health, and has been adapted for the British Virgin Islands through the UK Health Security Agency’s Overseas Territories Public Health Strengthening Programme.
The graduates represented a wide range of care settings, including the BVI Health Services Authority (8), the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly (4), the Rainbow Children’s Home (2), the Virgin Gorda Home for the Elderly (2), and the Social Development Department’s Home Care Programme (3).
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley, delivered congratulatory remarks at a brief graduation ceremony hosted by the Ministry. “This achievement is not just personal—it has direct impact on the health service delivery across the Territory,” he told the graduates.
Chief Nursing Officer and Programme Coordinator, Ms Jascinth Hannibal, emphasised the importance of the achievement. “Today, we do not simply celebrate achievement. We celebrate the birth of a new era in caregiving. You, our graduates, are pioneers in a programme created to instil excellence and affirm the dignity of service,” she said.
Ms Hannibal noted that the graduates bring with them a broad spectrum of professional experience, ranging from less than five years to over three decades. “The exchange of experiences within this group was nothing short of inspiring. I’ve learnt as much from you as you have from the programme,” she said.
She also underscored the responsibilities that come with certification. “Graduation does not mean you drop the ball. It means you are now held to a higher standard. You may even be called upon to guide and mentor others, or to serve as future assessors,” Ms Hannibal added.
Each participant will receive a Care Certified Badge and a certificate authenticated by the Ministry of Health and Social Development. The Care Certificate sets out defined standards for knowledge, skills, and behaviours expected of care professionals in their daily work and is expected to become the baseline requirement for all non-regulated personnel entering the health and social care workforce in the Virgin Islands.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to building a skilled and compassionate care workforce and enhancing public health standards throughout the Territory.
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In response to growing public concern over the status of emergency medical services on Virgin Gorda, the Minister for Health and Social Development and Ninth District Representative, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, issued a formal statement Friday confirming that the island’s ambulance is “fully operational” and currently in service.
“There was a brief period when the ambulance underwent routine servicing,” Minister Wheatley said. “During that time, contingency measures were implemented to ensure uninterrupted emergency response capabilities.”
Hon. Vincent Wheatley
Though he did not detail what those measures entailed, Minister Wheatley emphasized that emergency medical readiness was never compromised. He also extended thanks to the residents of Virgin Gorda for their patience during the temporary maintenance period.
The Minister’s statement follows a wave of concern across social media and in local circles about the island’s preparedness to handle medical emergencies, particularly in light of its geographic separation from the territory’s main hospital on Tortola.
“The safety and well-being of all residents remain our highest priority,” Wheatley stated. “We are committed to ensuring that Virgin Gorda, and all our Sister Islands, continue to receive the emergency medical services they rightfully deserve.”
Residents with questions regarding medical services have been encouraged to contact the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda or the BVI Health Services Authority directly.
This update comes as the territory continues to assess and strengthen healthcare services across its Sister Islands, many of which rely on limited resources and face logistical challenges due to inter-island travel and infrastructure constraints.
Minister Wheatley concluded his statement by reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and prompt communication when it comes to critical public services.
Liburd erases Ashley Kelly’s 400m record; Croal ranks 6th globally in 200m
Athletes from the British Virgin Islands made history at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships First-Round held in Jacksonville, Florida this week, setting new national records in the 400m and 200m events.
On 29 May, Kaelyaah Liburd ran 51.43 seconds in the women’s 400 metres, establishing a new BVI national record and qualifying for the second round of competition scheduled for 31 May. The performance breaks the previous mark of 51.63 seconds, set by Ashley Kelly, OLY, on 8 July 2017 at the Tru Fit Miami Invitational.
One day later, on 30 May, Jaleel Croal delivered a standout performance in the men’s 200 metres, clocking 19.95 seconds at the NCAA East Prelims. The result set a new BVI national record and currently ranks Croal sixth in the world for the 2025 outdoor season in the event.
First Cohort of BVI Care Certificate Graduates as Territory Moves to Standardise Health and Social Care Training
Karelynne Jimenez, Aiden Thompson Take Top Spots in Environmental Health Contest
Ambulance on Virgin Gorda Fully Operational, Health Minister Confirms
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