In launching the consultations this month, Premier Andrew Fahie said his administration’s goal as it relates to the plan is to strengthen the resilience of the society to withstand future hurricanes, pandemics and any other crisis.

“We believe the best way to achieve this is to pursue the sustainable development of these islands we all love and call home,” Premier Fahie said.

“To do so, we must have a long-term plan. We have resolved that such a plan should position us to achieve the sustainable development goals that are the global standard for humanity,” he added.

Meanwhile, the consultations are being had through the government’s collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The UN ECLAC’s role has been to provide support to the development of the plan through the addition of a lead consultant, Dr June Soomer — the former Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

“The 17 sustainable development goals have been adopted globally and it is very good that this country has stepped forward as an Associate Member of ECLAC to put its plan in place. The plan will come from the people, not from ECLAC. This means the process will require intensive consultations,” Soomer stated.

A media release from the Office of the Premier said Dr Soomer is supported by a local team including Recovery & Development Cooperation Specialist in the Premier’s Office, Patlian Johnson and Economist in the Minister of Finance, Emery Pemberton.

The government said it will soon publish a schedule for the consultations.

While the public awaits this schedule, government said consultations are presently taking place within the public sector and will then move on to other stakeholders including the House of Assembly.