- Growth, climate, security, and good governance on the agenda
as the UK government strengthens its historic partnership with
the UK Overseas Territories at the annual Joint Ministerial
Council.
- UK to reaffirm its commitment to defending UK Overseas
Territories' sovereignty, security, and right of
self-determination.
- Elected Leaders and representatives from the Overseas
Territories will explore collaborative approaches to shared
challenges, ensuring a respectful and sustainable partnership for
the future.
Boosting economic growth, protecting the environment and
strengthening security will be discussed as leaders from across
the British Overseas Territories meet in London this
week.
Overseas Territories Minister will host the annual Joint
Ministerial Council (JMC) as the UK reaffirms its strong
commitment to its overseas family.
Meetings will focus on deeper collaboration in key
areas: driving shared economic growth, advancing environmental
conservation, strengthening territorial security, and upholding
good governance and transparency.
The Territories are a highly valued and productive part of the
British family, overseeing 94% of Britain's unique species,
bringing bilateral trade worth £17bn (placing the OTs among the
UK's top 25 trading partners) and sending more athletes per
capita to compete in the Commonwealth Games than major countries
with populations of millions.
Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas
Territories said:
“The Overseas Territories are an invaluable part of the
British family – these are dynamic communities contributing to
our shared prosperity and security and important custodians of
our oceans and ecosystems, to name but a few of their many great
merits.
“Delivering on the issues that matter to our Overseas Territories
- including security, climate change, and growth – is a priority
for this government, as well as continuing our work together to
maintain good governance and transparency.”
Minister Doughty – who has visited several of the Overseas
Territories in recent months – will host elected Leaders and
representatives from across 13 of the inhabited Territories to
set priorities for the year ahead, and hear their unique
perspectives on how best to enhance our relationship to deliver
greater security and prosperity.
The Minister will also underscore the UK's steadfast commitment
to defending the Overseas Territories, their sovereignty and
rights - including to self-determination - priorities underpinned
by this year's JMC tagline: Protect, Grow, Sustain –
Together.
Delegates will attend meetings at the Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office in London over the next three days, where the
Minister will hold conversations with Leaders and representatives
from across the UK government.
Participants in the Council will include Anguilla, Ascension,
Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the
Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, the Sovereign
Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha
and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
