Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley recently joined Heads of Government from United Kingdom (UK) Overseas Territories (OT) to discuss issues of mutual importance and agree on actions to address shared challenges.

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

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

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 Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Honourable Charles Misick; Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley; Premier of Anguilla, Honourable Dr. Ellis Webster; Deputy Premier of Bermuda, Honourable Walter 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 priorities, develop plans and review implementation.

Photo Captions

Photo 1: (Left to right) Cayman Islands Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon Bernie Bush; Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley; Premier of Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Charles Misick; Premier of the Cayman Islands, Hon. Wayne Panton; Deputy Premier of Bermuda, Hon. Walter Roban and Premier of Anguilla, Hon. Ellis Webster.

Photo 2: (left to right) Premier Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley, British Virgin Islands; Premier Hon. Ellis Webster, Anguilla and Premier Hon. Wayne Panton, Cayman Islands  in discussion prior to the meeting of Leaders of UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean held on Saturday, July 29.

Photo 3: (left to right) Deputy Chief Officer Cayman Islands, Jason Webster; Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Cayman Islands, Hon. Bernie Bush; Anguilla Representative to the UK, Dorothea Hodge; Premier Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley, British Virgin Islands; Premier Hon. Charles Misick, Turks and Caicos Islands; Premier Hon. Wayne Panton, Cayman Islands; Deputy Premier Hon. Walter Roban, Bermuda; Premier Hon. Ellis Webster, Anguilla; Deputy Director, Office of the Premier, British Virgin Islands, Dwynel Davis; Cabinet Secretary, Cayman Islands, Samuel Rose; Cabinet Secretary, Bermuda, Major Marc Telemaque.