Wheatley Leads BVI Delegation to JMC; Government
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley led the Virgin Islands delegation to this year’s Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in London, where the Government says it concluded protracted talks successfully and the Premier delivered key presentations on climate resilience, financial controls and sustainable development (BVI Government). The Government expects to receive the official JMC Communiqué soon and will share it with the public; while the Premier was overseas, Deputy Premier Julian Fraser was authorised to act as Premier (BVI Government; VINO).
Wheatley and a senior Virgin Islands delegation departed the Territory on Saturday 22 November 2025 to attend a series of meetings in the United Kingdom, officials confirmed (BVI Government). The trip centred on the annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), the highest‑level forum for dialogue between elected leaders of the UK’s Overseas Territories and ministers of His Majesty’s Government, hosted this year by the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen J.
Doughty MP, at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London (BVI Government; VINO). In the days before the JMC, Premier Wheatley hosted the Virgin Islands’ annual Diaspora Gathering at BVI House in London, bringing together students, professionals and residents based in the UK for an evening of dialogue and networking (BVI Government; VINO).
The Premier and senior officials encouraged attendees to share priorities including education and economic opportunities, academic support networks, career pathways for returning graduates and remote collaboration across technology, public policy, health and culture. Premier Wheatley told the gathering, "Our people abroad are an essential part of the Virgin Islands' story.
Your insights, skills, and experiences continue to enrich our Territory" (VINO). Ahead of the JMC, at a press conference on 21 November, Premier Wheatley described the meetings as part of a broader "reset" in the UK–Overseas Territories relationship and outlined plans for bilateral Compacts—tailored frameworks to clarify shared priorities and strengthen long‑term planning (BVI Government).
He also said the UK Government will introduce a proposed Charter on Engagement with the Overseas Territories to establish principles for transparency, communication and collaboration (BVI Government). Throughout the week of meetings the Premier took a central role. As President he co‑chaired the JMC and, in his capacity as Chair of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA), guided the collective engagement of Overseas Territories with UK ministers, opening several major sessions (VINO; BVI Government).
Leaders participated in plenary sessions, technical workshops, bilateral meetings and political discussions on pressing issues affecting the Territories (VINO). Agenda items of direct relevance to the Virgin Islands included artificial intelligence in healthcare, cybersecurity, outcomes from COP30, the launch of the new Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy, and efforts to improve access to climate finance (BVI Government; VINO).
Security issues featured prominently, with sessions involving the Home Office, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Justice on internal security, irregular migration, border management and criminal justice. Financial matters such as illicit finance, beneficial ownership transparency, FATF preparedness, Overseas Development Assistance and planning for the 2026 Commonwealth Games were also on the programme (BVI Government).
The Government of the Virgin Islands later signalled the successful conclusion of this year’s JMC meetings, saying Premier Wheatley delivered several key presentations on climate change resilience, enhanced financial controls and sustainable development priorities and used the sessions to advocate for the Territory’s national interests while contributing to the wider OT family (BVI Government).
The Government quoted the Premier: "The JMC remains an invaluable opportunity for Overseas Territories to speak candidly and constructively about the challenges we face" (BVI Government). The meetings concluded on Thursday evening with a reception hosted by Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP.
As the sitting President of UKOTA, Premier Wheatley delivered remarks emphasising the collective strength and the need for collaboration, transparency and mutual respect in the UK–OT partnership (BVI Government). The official delegation included Honourable Kye Rymer (Minister of Communications and Works); Honourable Lorna Smith (Junior Minister of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation); Mr Jeremiah Frett, Financial Secretary; Mr Benito Wheatley, Special Envoy; Ms Dwynel Davis, Acting Director of International Affairs; Ms Karia Christopher, Director of Communications; Mr Kedrick Malone, Governance Reform Delivery Manager/Chief of Staff; Mr Dorian Hodge, Production Technician; and Mr Kamaal Lettsome, Communications Specialist (BVI Government; VINO).
While Premier Wheatley was overseas, Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser was authorised to carry out the duties of Premier and the named ministerial portfolios from 21–28 November 2025 in accordance with Section 55(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, the Government said (BVI Government).
The Government expects to receive the official JMC Communiqué in the coming weeks and has pledged to publish the full document for the public once available (BVI Government). Officials thanked the UK Government, fellow OT leaders and all participants for their contributions and reiterated a commitment to good governance and sustainable development for the Territory (BVI Government).
Primary source: VINO