Twelve Leaders Honoured
A gala ceremony on Friday officially launched Diplomatic Week 2025 and recognised twelve past and present diplomatic leaders for their service to the Virgin Islands from 2004 to the present. Junior Minister Lorna G. Smith, OBE, received the Pioneer Award for her early role in establishing the Territory’s international outreach.
Twelve past and present diplomatic leaders were honoured at a gala ceremony marking the official launch of Diplomatic Week 2025, an event that celebrated the British Virgin Islands’ growing role in regional and international affairs. The honourees named during the ceremony were Dr.
Sherri Ortiz, the Honourable Dawn Smith, Mrs. Ricardo Wheatley, and Junior Minister Lorna G. Smith, OBE, who received a special Pioneer Award. Smith was recognised for her early contributions to the Territory’s diplomacy and global outreach. Organisers credited her with helping to establish the Virgin Islands’ foundation in international representation during its formative years — work organisers said has helped open doors for trade, investment, regional cooperation and greater visibility for BVI interests abroad.
Officials described the ceremony as an opportunity to reflect on how the Territory’s diplomatic work has evolved since 2004. Diplomatic Week 2025 will focus on strengthening relationships with regional partners, engaging the BVI diaspora, and showcasing the Territory’s priorities at multilateral forums — goals organisers say are essential to economic development, disaster response coordination and tourism promotion.
For residents, the honours underline the practical benefits of sustained diplomatic engagement: attracting investment, advocating for aid and recovery support, negotiating trade and financial arrangements, and raising the Territory’s profile on environmental and regulatory issues that affect everyday life in the BVI.
The gala programme also included cultural presentations and remarks from public officials emphasising the value of continuity in representation and the need to support the next generation of diplomatic leaders. Diplomatic Week events will continue through the week with panels, community outreach and stakeholder meetings aimed at translating international relationships into tangible outcomes for the Territory.
Primary source: JTV