Premier: Future is bright for Virgin Islands diplomacy

The Virgin Islands’ future in global diplomacy is promising, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said during a panel discussion held as part of Diplomatic Week 2025 under the theme From Island Shores to Global Doors.

Speaking alongside Anguilla’s Premier, Cora Richardson-Hodge, at the event titled Defining Our Place in the World: The Evolving Diplomacy of Overseas Territories, Dr Wheatley described the Territory’s growing international presence as the result of decades of struggle and self-determination.

“Our ability to define our place in the world didn’t just happen overnight,” he stated. “We had many individuals who fought for the right for us to be able to define ourselves in an international space. The act of defining ourselves is an act of self-determination,” he explained.

Dr Wheatley said the Virgin Islands’ progress — from the introduction of an elected legislature in 1950 to establishing its own ministers —represented major milestones in the territory’s journey towards self-governance.

“Perhaps one day we’ll get to the point, we hope, that we’ll even be able to have a leader of government who can appoint a foreign minister,” he added.

He outlined key areas where diplomacy has proven essential, citing climate change, financial services, and political stability.

“Climate change is not something of our own making,” he said, stressing that small island states must advocate for climate justice and financing from industrialised nations responsible for global emissions.

The Premier also pointed to the financial services sector, which contributes roughly 60 percent of government revenue, as a major driver of international engagement.

“We cannot possibly maintain our position if we were just sitting at home,” he said. He recalled visits to China and Malaysia, where he said the BVI was “well respected” in global financial circles.

On political diplomacy, Dr Wheatley highlighted the BVI’s experience in 2022 when democracy faced possible suspension. “It was partly because of diplomacy, because of our relationship with the OECS and CARICOM, that they were able to stand up for us,” he stated, crediting regional partners for helping avert the imposition of direct UK rule.

Looking ahead, Dr Wheatley said he was confident that the Virgin Islands’ global engagement will continue to expand. “The future is very bright for Virgin Islands diplomacy and Virgin Islands engagement,” he said, encouraging young people to pursue careers in international relations.

He added, “If persons study the subject area, there are opportunities for you in this particular area… It helps you to be more globally minded, more well-rounded as an individual, and it can even prepare you for other very high-level careers and positions in life.”