British Virgin Islands, first signatory of UN Multi-country cooperation framework for the Caribbean

Bridgetown, Barbados - 10 December 2021 - The British Virgin Islands today became the first country to become signatory to a new United Nations Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the Caribbean that will govern UN collaboration in the region for the next five years.

Addressing a hybrid ceremony from UN House as well as online, UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, joined by several members of the UN Sub-regional Team, commended the BVI Government for its substantive contribution to the cooperation framework and for the deepening partnership between the BVI and the UN Sub-regional Team.

In his opening remarks, delivered minutes before signing the agreement on behalf of the UN Development System, Mr. Trebucq opined that perhaps no previous cooperation framework had been as significant, given the current unprecedented times with a global pandemic that shows no clear end in sight, and a climate crisis that poses an existential threat, especially to Small Islands Developing States (SIDS).

“The UN is very satisfied that we have arrived at this point where there is a clear roadmap for how the UN will support countries to achieve two urgent priorities: accelerate progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and facilitate faster recovery from the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. This new framework provides a renewed focus from the UN to step-up efforts to help Caribbean SIDS to weather this storm and build resilience,” he assured.

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands, the Hon. Andrew Fahie, congratulated the UN team across the region for the finalization of the MSDCF, acknowledging that it was developed with full input of stakeholder countries and territories who are the primary beneficiaries.

“Your strong leadership and the work of your team was critical to its completion; and I commend you for ensuring that the voice and the needs of the Eastern Caribbean are captured in the document,” he added.

Alluding to the vulnerability of Caribbean SIDS, particularly given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the presence of the fast-spreading Omicron variant, Premier Fahie told the gathering, many countries and territories continued to experience the negative economic, social and health impacts of the virus.

“Controlling COVID and achieving a balanced recovery will take longer than anyone imagined. Without a doubt, we need the support of the UN now more than ever. Your assistance is critical if we are to still achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he maintained.

The BVI leader explained that within the framework of the MSDCF, his country would be seeking UN support to implement its National Sustainable Development Plan, which was now in advanced draft form after months of public consultation and technical assistance from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). 

Members of the UN sub-regional team from UNDP, UNICEF, PAHO, UNESCO and WFP who participated in the signing ceremony, congratulated the Government of BVI and gave assurances of their continued support .

The MSDCF identifies four key priorities for achieving resilient sustainable development in the region: increased support to the economic resilience agenda; intensified efforts to ensure realization of human rights for all; strong commitment to enhancing inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; and scaled up support to ensure that Caribbean societies remain peaceful and just societies.