The Government of the Virgin Islands is pleased to inform the public that Mr. Benito Wheatley will continue in his role as Special Envoy of the Premier until December 31, 2022. The extension was agreed by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands on September 22, 2021.

As Special Envoy, Mr. Wheatley has played an important role in strengthening the international relations of the Virgin Islands and supporting the Administration’s implementation of Government’s post-Brexit strategy designed to transition the Territory from development cooperation with the European Union (EU) to development cooperation with the United Nations (UN).

He has been instrumental in the Administration delivering on its international agenda, which includes, among other things:

• The Virgin Islands first Country Implementation Plan (CIP) signed between Premier Honourable Andrew A. Fahie and UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Didier Trebucq that secures UN support for sustainable development in the Territory on an annual basis;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Virgin Islands and UNDP to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), disaster risk reduction and COVID-19 response (i.e. social and economic) signed between Premier Honourable Andrew A. Fahie and UN Assistant Secretary General Dr. Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva;
• UN ECLAC technical assistance to develop a National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) for the Virgin Islands;
• UN ECLAC’s first High-Level Meeting of Associate Member Countries on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development chaired by Premier Honourable Andrew A. Fahie;
• UN funding of $362,000 to the Virgin Islands to support persons impacted by COVID-19; and
• UNDP technical assistance and financial support to local small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Mr. Wheatley has also diplomatically supported Premier Honourable Andrew A. Fahie in his capacity as Vice Chair of UN ECLAC’s Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC); as well as Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone in his capacity as Vice Chair of UN ECLAC’s Regional Conference on Social Development.

Additionally, the Special Envoy is actively engaged with international partners in the Americas through the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and other regional forums to strengthen the Virgin Islands’ cooperation with Latin America on key issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

Mr. Wheatley is currently a Policy Fellow at the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge and a member of the prestigious International Institute for International Studies (IISS). He is also a graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE) and Morehouse College.

He previously served as BVI Representative to the United Kingdom (UK) and EU/Director of the BVI London Office from 2014-2018; Deputy Director from 2013-14; and Political Officer from 2011-2012. He has represented the Virgin Islands in many international forums and meetings.

His current role began in September 2018 under a consultancy in the Premier’s Office. His current consultancy runs from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.