Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering is in Cancun, Mexico attending the 13^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, will contribute in various forums of the convention including, progress in the implementation of biodiversity programmes, sustainable tourism and partnerships with various institutions at the regional and international level. The Minister will also participate in several high level side events and breakout events, and is representing the Virgin Islands as well as the Overseas Territories.

The Deputy Premier said that the convention, which is being held from December 6 through 9, is an opportunity to highlight the BVI’s work and progress in biodiversity conservation and an opportunity to recognise and thank several partners for their assistance and exchange in protecting the local Virgin Islands’ biodiversity, as well as in other Overseas Territories and Small Island States.

Minister Pickering said, “During the convention I will take time to present on the various efforts in conservation made by the National Parks Trust, the Conservation and Fisheries Department and the Ministry proper. However, it would be remiss if I forgot to mention the welcomed support and guidance that we’ve received from several entities, to help us do this, including the United Nations, the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Global Islands Partnership.”

Minister Pickering said he was proud to lend a voice to those countries promoting best practices in island conservation at the local and international level.

He added, “These conventions continue to raise the profile of the Virgin Islands, they mark us as leaders in environmental progress and they help our local environmental agencies financially and with technical support.”

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, at its tenth meeting, adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, with its Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The mission of the Strategic Plan is to take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity in order to ensure that, by 2020, ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential services, thereby securing the planet’s variety of life, and contributing to human well-being and poverty eradication.

Photo Caption: Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (Photo Credit: GIS)