National Sustainable Development Plan to launch today

The government is set to launch its National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) today, February 27, describing it as a step towards creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for the people of the territory. 

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley expressed that the people of the Virgin Islands are at the heart of this plan. 

“Sustainable development in our economy, our environment, and in our social framework, is a catalyst for devising the future we want to create,” the Premier stated in a recent press release. 

Premier Wheatley also noted that the people of the Virgin Islands can claim ownership of this plan. 

“It was essentially written by the people who will be the ones to bring it into reality; for it was crafted around their vision for themselves and the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said.

The NSDP which will be launched under the theme ‘Vision 2036: Building a Sustainable Virgin Islands’, and proposes six overarching goals that act as guiding principles for the plan. These goals seek to safeguard and promote health and wellness, education and learning, economy, infrastructure, good governance, and the environment.

Extensive consultation

The plan, which was reportedly formulated after extensive consultation with the public, seeks to create a balanced, people-centred territory that prioritises strong governmental institutions underpinned by sustainable economic, environmental, and social development.

The document was formulated after more than 70 consultations with the public, including the Virgin Islands diaspora, as well as local and international stakeholders across various sectors and sub-sectors, the release noted. The insight, recommendations, and viewpoints gathered from these consultations were strategically utilised to influence the conceptualisation and execution of the plan.

Dr Wheatley commented that he appreciates that at this juncture in its history, the territory is actively engaging in an agenda for a more inclusive society that will not only serve this generation but generations to come.

Premier Wheatley expressed gratitude to the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and their Head Consultant Dr June Soomer for their support and technical assistance in the development of the plan. 

He said her team was instrumental in ensuring that the interests of the private sector, the financial services, farmers, fisherfolk, members of civil society, the tourism sector, and sports personnel were adequately represented.