VI Decolonisation Commission To Be Established
Premier E. Natalio Wheatley announced during the State of the Territory address on June 9 that a Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission will be established this year to strengthen public education and dialogue on constitutional development. New phase of talks with the United Kingdom is due to begin in July 2026, with a goal to conclude negotiations by year end and prepare for enactment in 2027.
Natalio Wheatley has announced that the Government will establish a Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission before the end of 2026, as part of an intensified push on constitutional advancement and greater self-determination. The announcement was made during the State of the Territory address on Tuesday, June 9.
The Premier said the commission will support public education, dialogue and awareness around constitutional development and political advancement, emphasising that "constitutional advancement is not only legal work. It is nation-building work." The move follows recent calls by the VI Special Envoy, E.
Benito Wheatley, to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24) to take meaningful steps in supporting the decolonisation process for the Virgin Islands and the other 16 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. Premier Wheatley told residents the new commission will play a central role in preparing the community for the next phase of constitutional talks with the United Kingdom.
Government intends to begin formal negotiations in July 2026, with hopes of concluding talks by the end of the year and preparing for enactment in 2027. The Premier underlined that any new document will belong to the people, saying: "Let me be clear: this is not Government's Constitution.
This is the People's Constitution." A broad public education and communications campaign is due to launch this week to ensure every Virgin Islander has the chance to learn about and engage with the constitutional process. The release follows a series of public engagements with the Constitution Negotiating Team that wrapped up on June 7.
While the Government has not yet published the commission's terms of reference, such a body would typically coordinate outreach, provide factual information, organise consultations across the territory, and help prepare residents for any decisions or referenda that may follow treaty-level negotiations.
The Premier linked these efforts explicitly to broader goals of self-determination, democracy and freedom. For residents, the immediate impact will be opportunities for greater involvement in the drafting and consultation process through the planned communications campaign and public meetings.
Officials have encouraged all Virgin Islanders to participate actively, stressing that the success of constitutional advancement depends on wide public engagement and informed debate. More details on the composition, mandate and timeline for the Decolonisation Commission are expected from Government in the coming weeks as negotiations with the UK move forward.
Primary source: VINO