Mrs. Karia J Christopher has been appointed as Director of Communications within the Premier’s Office. Mrs. Christopher’s appointment comes following a period of rotation to perform the duties of the role.
The Office of the Deputy Governor is inviting members of the public to share their views on the Public Service Transformation Programme via a survey. Public Service Transformation Manager, Mrs. Kishann Cupid Braithwaite said that the survey comes at a pivotal point in the life of the programme and public insight is needed to chart the next steps for the programme that guides the development and modernisation of the Public Service.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley is attending the Third Annual Council of Ministers for Immigration meeting in Grenada from March 4 to 6. He is accompanied by Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mrs. Nadia Demming Hodge to discuss immigration policies, border security, regional mobility, and immigration frameworks in the Caribbean. The Premier emphasized the importance of effective and fair immigration policies. Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser will assume the Premier's responsibilities during his absence. The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to sustainable development, governance, and progress.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is working around the clock to respond to escalations in the region and support those affected, including persons from the Virgin Islands who may be in the region. The UK has launched Register Your Presence for several countries: Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This allows the UK Government to share important updates directly with those in affected areas. This list is not exhaustive and will be kept under constant review.
In an inspiring display of civic education, Grade 5 students from Cedar School visited the House of Assembly today, where they were warmly greeted by members of the 5th House of Assembly (HoA). The visit coincided with ongoing debates on the Human Rights Commission Bill 2026, offering the young visitors a front-row seat to democracy in action.
The Virgin Islands is advancing a strategic approach to cruise tourism as a delegation attends Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, taking place from April 13 to 16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida. This engagement comes amid a surge in cruise activity, with visitor arrivals increasing by 20 percent in the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. As momentum continues, the Territory is placing greater emphasis on balancing growth with value and at this year’s conference, Minister Rymer and his delegation is expected to leverage various selling points.
A three-day conference was held in the Virgin Islands from March 25 to 27 to discuss the future of postal services, focusing on digital transformation and the integration of technologies like artificial intelligence. Hosted by the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU), Universal Postal Union (UPU), and the BVI Postal Services, the event was themed "Adapting to the Future: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Innovation through Leadership in Postal Services." Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley delivered the Keynote Address, emphasizing the importance of evolving postal services to meet the demands of the digital age, especially in light of the e-commerce boom. He highlighted the challenges faced by small island states like the BVI, including infrastructure limitations and the need for sustainable solutions. The conference brought together 29 postal leaders from across the region to discuss various issues, including embracing e-commerce, improving customer experience, and integrating emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.
Statement by Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith, MHA 75th Anniversary of the Virgin Islands Legislature 4 November 2025 Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity to make a contribution during this Special Sitting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Legislature under the theme: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future: The Virgin Islands’ 75 Year Journey Towards Self-Determination”.
The Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency David D. Archer Jr., in collaboration with the Office of Gender Affairs, hosted the territory’s first roundtable discussion focused on ending digital violence against women and girls. Digital violence is increasingly threatening the safety and wellbeing of women and girls worldwide. Digital technologies are being used to amplify violent and misogynistic beliefs and enable new forms of abuse, including cyberstalking, harassment, and image-based exploitation.
Today marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of our Virgin Islands. We gather for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), and the Recovery and Development Agency, along with the signing of the Deed of Contribution that will formally initiate the design phase for student dormitories at the HLSCC’s Paraquita Bay campus.