Premier and Minister responsible for Climate Change, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley is leading a three member delegation to the 28^th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai.

Premier Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley will be attending 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) from November 30 to December 6 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Madam Speaker, please permit me a few moments to address the very complex issue of the high cost of insurance which our country is facing. The rising costs of homeowner insurance policies is a multifaceted challenge influenced by a combination of local and global factors. It is important to recognise that this issue is not isolated to the British Virgin Islands but is part of a broader global challenge.

Premier and Minister responsible for Climate Change, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley has called for nations which are contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions to be as ambitious as possible in meeting targets to reverse the ill effects of climate change.

The influx of the sargassum seaweed is once again causing concern for members of the Virgin Islands community, namely those working in the tourism industry, fisherfolks and the frequent beach visitors.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development’s Social Protection Policy and Action Plan for the Virgin Islands has been finalised following a workshop with key stakeholders.

Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change are addressing the public’s concerns about the presence of some marine creatures resembling jellyfish within the Territory’s waters.

Government officials from several departments were trained in a two day workshop to preview the underwater survey processes that were used to create the updated Coastal Resources Atlas.

The Joint Ministerial Council Meeting in London in May addressed a number of issues of key importance for both the Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom Government. 

I extend a warm Virgin Islands welcome to the visiting teams from the United Kingdom (UK), including the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).