From left: Cayman Islands Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon Bernie Bush; Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Dr the Hon Natalio Wheatley; Premier of Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon Charles W. Misick; Premier of the Cayman Islands, Hon G. Wayne Panton; Deputy Premier of Bermuda, Hon Walter H. Roban and Premier of Anguilla, Hon Ellis L. Webster. Photo: GIS

From left: Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Virgin Islands; Premier Hon Ellis L. Webster, Anguilla and Premier Hon G. Wayne Panton, Cayman Islands in discussion prior to the meeting of Leaders of UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean held on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Photo: GIS

The meeting was also used to prepare for the next Joint Ministerial Conference in November 2023, as well as to discuss Overseas Territories participation in the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) and other similar forums. Photo: GIS

The meeting was held in Miami, Florida on July 29, 2023, and was chaired by Premier of the Cayman Islands, Honourable G. Wayne Panton.

According to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS) yesterday, August 18, 2023, the packed agenda covered a wide range of topics of interest to the territories including improved engagement and information sharing between Caribbean OTs, beneficial ownership, representation at international forums and the United Kingdom’s relationship with its Overseas Territories.

It also said opportunities were explored to foster greater awareness among the territories of the shared historical and heritage links especially through youth, sports and cultural exchanges.

Preparation for JMC

The meeting was also used to prepare for the next Joint Ministerial Conference in November 2023, as well as to discuss Overseas Territories' participation in the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) and other similar forums.

Additionally, several senior officials and civil servants from the respective Overseas Territories joined the session.

The meeting was attended by the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Honourable, Charles W. Misick; Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Wheatley; Premier of Anguilla, Honourable Dr Ellis L. Webster; Deputy Premier of Bermuda, Honourable Walter H. Roban as well as Cayman Islands Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Honourable Bernie Bush.  Premier of Montserrat, Honourable Joseph Taylor-Farrell participated in the meeting virtually.

Earlier this year, Premier Wheatley and other Overseas Territories and United Kingdom Ministers participated in the Joint Ministerial Council in London to discuss issues aimed to promote the security and good governance of the territories, sustainable development, economic and social progress and to agree on priorities, develop plans and review implementation.