The Duke of Cambridge and the Foreign Secretary joined elected leaders and Overseas Territories
representatives in London for the Joint Ministerial Council
(JMC), to discuss the global challenges facing the territories.
Prime Minister also addressed Overseas
Territories via video to begin proceedings.
The JMC, which took place from 16 to 17 November, was the first
in person since 2018. , Minister for the Overseas
Territories, chaired the plenary, with UK ministers from across
Whitehall attending various sessions.
Over the course of the 2-day plenary representatives discussed a
range of topics, including the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19,
the protection of the OTs extraordinary natural environments,
ongoing security and law enforcement collaboration, and economic
resilience.
The Duke of Cambridge attended a reception of the JMC and spoke
to delegates from the Overseas Territories of the need to tackle
climate change. Alongside delegates, the Duke also met business
leaders and a group of inspiring young people including students
and climate advocates who are working to protect the environment
and tackle environmental issues in their territories, which
account for over 90% of the UK’s biodiversity.
The JMC welcomed the announcement of Blue Shield, the latest
programme funded by the Blue Belt, to support maritime domain
awareness so that Territories are better equipped to tackle
illegal activities within their waters and ensure compliance with
regulatory frameworks managing human activities in these fragile
and diverse environments. Bermuda is the first Territory to sign
up to the Blue Shield programme
which has been launched this week.
At the conclusion of the JMC, UK ministers and Overseas
Territories leaders agreed a joint communiqué.
Speaking at the opening of the JMC earlier this week, the Prime
Minister said:
I’m proud that Britain has been able help with vaccines and vital
medical supplies, and as part of one big British family we will
continue to put our arms around the Overseas Territories
throughout this crisis for however long it takes.
As we face the greatest challenge of our lifetime, I’m acutely
aware of the precious biodiversity at risk and as the delegations
at COP26 made so clear, while your contribution to climate change
is negligible, it is vulnerable island homes like yours that
stands to feel the full force of the devastating effects of
rising temperatures. We will spare no effort in this great
struggle, and I want to commend the Overseas Territories for
everything they are doing to protect precious marine
environments, including more than 4 million square kilometres of
the world’s ocean through the Blue Belt programme.
The Foreign Secretary said:
I am proud of the UK and the British family, and the real value
the Overseas Territories bring to our family. As Foreign
Secretary, I believe we have a positive proactive role to play in
the world – promoting freedom, free enterprise, democracy and the
rule of law. I want to ensure the Overseas Territories are an
integral part of Global Britain and benefit from a confident UK,
with an active presence across the globe.
I want the Overseas Territories to know they can rely on the UK,
just as we have shown during the pandemic. So let’s strengthen
our partnership for the years ahead.
