Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull has been been nominated to serve as a Co-Chair of the Conservation Caucus and an OECS Assembly Member of the Ninth Council of Ministers of Environment and Sustainability.

 Minister Turnbull, in his statement in the Seventh Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, said Honourable Carlos James of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the Chair of the caucus.

Honourable Turnbull said, “I embrace this opportunity to deepen and strengthen our relationship with our brothers and sisters of the OECS, who are integral partners in environmental and sustainability matters, as I will represent both national and regional interests in the conservation of the region’s natural resources.”

Honourable Turnbull explained that the Conservation Caucus is intended to be a vehicle for advocacy, engagement, and action on international commitments and agreements and is expected to build and exercise political will and continuity for critical initiatives and approaches of regional priority; remain inclusive of all political perspectives and portfolios across the region.

The caucus will represent a new channel for engagement between policymakers and stakeholders from the public and private sectors on key sustainable development approaches and initiatives of regional priority; and promote and prompt environmentally friendly new business models that encourage entrepreneurship and youth development across all sectors.

The priority focal areas selected for the next year are Sustainable Financing for Conservation & Climate, integrated Coastal Zone Management, and Waste Management. Sustainable Water Planning and Integrated Watershed Management and Protected Areas Designation and Management are also priority areas.

Honourable Turnbull’s full statement from can be read on the Government’s website at www.bvi.gov.vg.

The Government of the Virgin Islands by way of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour continues to effectively manage and administer the natural resources of the Territory in a manner that ensures long-term sustainability.