Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone has expressed support on behalf of the British Virgin Islands for the advancement of a Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development which he said is a clear roadmap for the region to follow as it takes steps toward realising the Sustainable Development Goals.

Honourable Malone expressed his support when he joined Ministers for Social Development from across Latin America and the Caribbean at the virtual United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC) Fourth Meeting in his capacity as a Vice Chair of the Presiding Officers of the regional conference.

Discussions were centred on the progress on the implementation of the Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development and approval of a proposed work plan to guide next steps by the regional body.

The Minister for Social Development also highlighted the importance of the Caribbean’s inclusion in the process. He said, “In terms of the Thematic Working Groups under which the work contained in the draft plan will be taken forward, the addition of the Working Group ‘Leaving no one behind in the Caribbean’ is one that is important for the Caribbean region, given our unique social and historical challenges as Small Island Developing States.”

Honourable Malone also encouraged the Associate Member Countries of ECLAC to fully participate in the implementation of the Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development, adding, “There is much that we can contribute and gain from our exchanges with our colleagues in the wider region.”

Honourable Malone thanked Mexico as Chair for leading the work of the Presiding of Officers of the Regional Conference throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic period and congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on their selection as host of the next session of the Regional Conference in the latter half of 2021.

The meeting was held on January 13 and the British Virgin Islands delegation included Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (Head of Delegation); Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ms. Tasha Bertie; Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Dr. Carolyn O’Neal-Morton; Director of the International Affairs Secretariat, Ms. Najan Christopher; Assistant Secretary for External Affairs, Ms. Dwynel Davis; Programme Officer, Ms. Xyrah Wheatley and Special Envoy of the Premier, Mr. Benito Wheatley.