Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Jul 06, 2025

Premier Fahie leads UN ECLAC discussions on COVID-19 recovery

Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie , chaired a High-Level Panel on ‘Challenges for Caribbean to Building Back Better from COVID-19’ at the virtually held 38th Session of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), October 26-28, 2020.
‘A new sense of urgency’


Premier Fahie, according to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on October 30, 2020, chaired the meeting in his capacity as Vice-Chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) and stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated a new sense of urgency to address holistically the challenges faced by the heavily indebted middle-income countries of the sub-region already suffering from high exposure to natural disasters and climate change.

“Rarely do we get an opportunity such as these urgent circumstances present to demonstrate the complex, multidimensional nature of Caribbean challenges and vulnerabilities and to advocate for a uniquely blended response to ensure the survival of the countries of the sub-region during these very challenging times,” Premier Fahie stated.

‘The Caribbean Outlook 2020’


The high-level meeting on October 27, 2020, began with the official launch of the new ECLAC publication, ‘The Caribbean Outlook 2020,’ which was presented by the organisation’s Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena, who is the regional commission’s highest official. Madam Barcena outlined the findings of the report on the impact of COVID-19 on the Caribbean and solutions for recovery and longer-term sustainable development.

The panelists also made statements in their respective capacities, including remarks by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Saint Lucia Honourable Allen M. Chastanet, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica Senator the Honourable Leslie Campbell, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Mr Mahmoud Mohieldin, Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team of the UN Mr Selwyn Hart, Assistant Secretary-General for Trade and Economic Integration of CARICOM Mr Joseph Cox and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Sir Hillary M. Beckles.

In response to the views expressed by the panel, official statements at Ministerial and official levels were made on the floor of the meeting by Aruba, Barbados, Canada, Cuba, Mexico and Suriname.

‘Fruitful discussions’


Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Premier Fahie said, “We had very fruitful discussions on the Caribbean’s long road to recovery from COVID-19. I am very pleased that there is strong support for the sub-region both within ECLAC and at the level of the UN Secretary-General Mr Antonio Gutierrez. I will continue to do my part in bringing greater international attention to the region’s current challenges in my capacity as a Vice-Chair of CDCC.”

The VI delegation to the 38th Session of UN ECLAC included Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Dr Carolyn O’Neal-Morton, Deputy Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs Elvia Smith-Maduro, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Ms Najan Christopher, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms Dwynel Davis and Special Envoy of the Premier Mr E. Benito Wheatley.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
×