Gov’t to expand relations with UNDP

Government plans on expanding it relations with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which it said has played a pivotal role in the territory’s recovery since 2017.

Special Envoy for the VIP government Benito Wheatley made the announcement following a meeting with the UNDP’s Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luis Felipe López-Calva.

“The administration hopes to broaden and deepen the BVI’s partnership with UNDP as the islands continue to recover and plans are developed for the long-term development of the territory,” Wheatley said.

“UNDP has been instrumental in the progress of our recovery and is a valued partner. I conveyed to Mr López-Calva Premier Andrew A Fahie’s gratitude to the agency for the technical assistance provided to the Premier’s Office, Ministry of Finance and wider BVI government over the course of the last two years.”

Wheatley also said government will be anticipating future discussions on additional support for the territory with senior UNDP officials.

He also thanked the organisation for what he described as the great work done in the BVI and applauded their staff for showing a high level of professionalism.

The UNDP has provided technical assistance in recovery planning and procurement through several UN agencies since Hurricane Irma. It has facilitated workshops on a blue economy strategy and mainstreaming gender in crisis response and recovery.