BVI re-elected to serve as vice-chair of regional body

The British Virgin Islands has been reelected for its third consecutive two-year term on the Caribbean Development & Cooperation Committee (CDCC) where Premier Andrew Fahie will serve as a Vice-Chair on the board.

A government-commissioned media release said Premier Fahie was recently elected to serve on the committee, which is a subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Speaking on the achievement, Fahie said: “I am humbled by our region’s confidence in me, and the BVI as an Associate Member Country of ECLAC, to serve as a Vice-Chair of CDCC during these very challenging times in which we as SIDS (Small Islands Developing States) are all combatting COVID-19, facing an active hurricane season and under intense economic pressure.”

He added: “I will assist the newly elected CDCC Chairman Honourable Camillo Gonsalves in any way that I can as we respond to the ongoing crisis.”

Apart from assisting with advancing the CDCC’s agenda, the Premier will also co-chair a proposed Summit of the Associate Members of ECLAC in 2021.

Here he will discuss the challenges faced by Associate Members, their progress and needed support, to implement the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda that has been impacted by COVID-19 and other developments.

According to the aforementioned media release, the BVI’s reelection was based on Premier Fahie’s engagement, advocacy and leadership within the ECLAC regarding the sustainable development of SIDS and the 15 Associate Members within the commission.

In addition to the BVI, Cuba and Dominica were also elected to serve as Vice-Chairs on the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee.

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie also attended the sixth meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) which was conducted virtually, where he addressed the need for the vulnerability of SIDS to be acknowledged by international organisations.