The Virgin Islands Government and University of Southampton have committed to continuing to explore areas of cooperation and joint activities in the lead up to COP26. Photo: Provided

Following exchanges with officials at the university in June, Special Envoy of the Premier Mr E. Benito Wheatley reaffirmed the VI Government’s position that the University of Southampton is as a key partner of the VI as preparations are made ahead of the climate change meetings in Glasgow.

“The University of Southampton and the BVI Government share a keen interest in climate change issues and there is a strong interest by both sides to work together on activities ahead of COP26. Our respective representatives have remained engaged since the late recovery period after the September 2017 hurricanes, which highlighted the severe impact of climate change on the BVI as a Small Island Developing State. There is an opportunity for us to work together to highlight the very real risks that exist,” Wheatley said.

To strengthen cooperation, the Government and University held a virtual policy/academic exchange from May 6-7, 2021 in which they discussed areas of mutual interest such as climate change, maritime management, coastal management, marine biodiversity and cooperation on higher education. In attendance were Dr the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, Agriculture and Fisheries; Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration; and Government officials from relevant Ministries and Departments. Speakers included Professor Damon Teagle, Director of the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute; Mr Gareth Giles, Head of Public Policy Southampton; Dr Wassim Dbouk, Marine and Maritime Policy Research Fellow; and faculty members at the University of Southampton who made presentations on their research in their respective fields.

Host of areas for cooperation- Dr the Hon Wheatley

Speaking on the policy/academic exchange, Deputy Premier Wheatley said: “We were highly impressed by the range and depth of academic expertise demonstrated by faculty members at the University of the Southampton in their presentations during the various segments of the programme. The capabilities of the University presents an opportunity for the Government and academic institutions such as the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to partner with Southampton on research and to address several of the policy challenges we face, such as mitigating the impact of climate change on the agriculture and fisheries sectors and our marine biodiversity due to changing weather patterns and the warming of the ocean. There are a host of areas in which we can cooperate.”

The VI Government and University of Southampton have committed to continuing to explore areas of cooperation and joint activities in the lead up to COP26.

Dr the Hon Wheatley and Hon Vincent O. Wheatley were joined by Mr Joseph Smith-Abbott, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration; Mrs Tessa Smith-Claxton, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries; Ms Abbi E. Christopher, Fisheries Officer; Dr Richard Georges, President of HLSCC; Dr Arlene Smith-Thompson, Vice President of HLSCC; Ms Tracy Bradshaw, Interim Director, BVI London Office; Ms Siohban Flax, Deputy Director of the BVI London Office; and Mr E. Benito Wheatley, Special Envoy of the Premier.