The month of May heralds the beginning of Senior Citizens’ Month in the British Virgin Islands, as residents gathered on Wednesday, May 1, to mark the occasion with a special church service commemorating its 35th anniversary. Distinguished dignitaries, including Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley, Deputy Premier Honourable Lorna Smith, Minister … Continued
Virgin Islanders are being reminded of the critical importance of participating in the ongoing census, as challenges continue to slow down the data collection process across the Territory. In a recent interview, Director of the Central Statistics Office Raymond Phillips reflected on the prevailing situation and underscored why complete and accurate census data is vital. … Continued
In a major milestone for environmental education and sustainable agriculture in the Virgin Islands, Green VI, through the BVI SMART Schools Project has successfully established vibrant gardens at several schools across the Virgin Islands. The project is funded through an over €1.3 million allocation from the European Union’s Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) … Continued
Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley has formalized a new partnership between the Virgin Islands and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) by signing the BVI Initiation Plan. Four key focus areas were identified: 1. The Blue Economy 2. The Digital Economy 3. Governance and Sustainability 4. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through the Initiation Plan, … Continued
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley marked his administration’s first year in office on Wednesday with a statement reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments over the past 12 months and reaffirming his commitment to building a sustainable future for the Virgin Islands. Addressing the territory, Premier Wheatley acknowledged the obstacles faced, including securing post-disaster recovery resources, … Continued
Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Kye Rymer provided an update on the territory’s cruise tourism sector following his attendance at the recent Seatrade Global Conference. A key announcement was that the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is expected to deliver an updated economic impact study focused on cruise passenger spending patterns in the British Virgin … Continued
The government is calling on residents to review and provide feedback on the proposed Human Rights Commission Bill, 2024 currently open for public consultation. The Bill outlines provisions to establish the VI Human Rights Commission, detailing its powers, functions, and composition. As drafted, the Commission would consist of five commissioners with equal gender representation, including … Continued
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley pushed back against the notion that the cruise industry provides little economic benefit to the Virgin Islands. Recent calls from the Opposition and some residents urged the government to prioritize overnight tourism over the celebrated growth in cruise arrivals. However, in remarks made in a recent sitting of the House … Continued
Opposition Leader Hon. Ronnie Skelton has urged the government to shift focus from hosting celebratory events to tackling the numerous socio-economic issues affecting residents. In an impassioned address to the House of Assembly, Skelton argued that the community has had its fill of “parties” and festivities in recent times amid lingering unresolved problems. He went … Continued
The Virgin Islands will observe Library Week 2024 from April 22-27. This year’s observation coincides with World Book and Copyright Day on April 23. Chief Librarian Suzanne Greenaway has underscored the integral role that libraries and literacy play in fostering strong communities. Greenaway said the slate of activities is geared primarily toward engaging the Territory’s … Continued
