PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos – November 1, 2017 – The Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, joined Caribbean British Overseas Territory leaders for a Special Meeting on Saturday, October 28th, 2017 at the JW Marriott Miami, Florida.
The objective of this Special Meeting was to prepare for the upcoming Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) in London, 28-29 November 2017. The meeting, chaired by Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands, discussed the common issues related to disaster response, recovery, resilience building, disaster mitigation and identifying a shared vision for the upcoming meeting of the Joint Ministerial Conference; which will be led by Lord Ahmad, Minister for the Overseas Territories.
The Territories explored and agreed on a wide range of issues including, but not limited to: developing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between Overseas Territories that will outline a Plan for regional disaster management cooperation and assistance. The Memorandum will build upon the territories collective experiences as a result of hurricane Irma and Maria, which significantly impacted the Caribbean Islands. Leaders committed to sharing information, expertise and best practices as it relates to mitigation strategies.
Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson provided an extensive presentation on relief to recovery stating that; “ the Turks and Caicos Islands Government immediate priorities were to ensure that residents were safe, that electricity and communication services were restored and our airports were open to facilitate relief flights. We again must state our appreciation to the Cayman Islands Government and the Bermudian Regiment who assisted by providing relief items through the landing of its Police Helicopters in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria. The Turks and Caicos Islands remain resolved in our effort to ensure that this Government mobilizes all its resources to ensure that residents return to a state of normalcy, noting that the Government and residents together are determined to build a bigger, better and more resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The conference was attended by Hon. David Burt, Premier of Bermuda and Chairman of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA); Hon. Victor Banks, Chief Minister of Anguilla; Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands; Hon. Orlando Smith, Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI); Hon. Donaldson Romeo, Premier of Montserrat.
The Premier was accompanied by Mr. Ronlee James, Executive Director and Ms. Joy Lightbourne Executive Administrator of the Office of the Premier.
