
Both hosts and participants underlined the success of the recent Join Ministerial Council 2925 held in London and which brings together UK ministers and officials with Overseas Territories’ representatives.

The UK and Overseas Territories reaffirm the importance of respecting and promoting the right of self-determination for the peoples of the Territories, and “recognize that threats to the Overseas Territories are deemed to be a threat to the UK”, so reads the Joint Ministerial Council, JMC, communique chapter on “Security, Sovereignty and Resilience”, made public last week following November’s meeting in London.

The British Minister for the Overseas Territories and elected Leaders and Representatives of the UK Overseas Territories, met as the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) on 19 to 21 November 2024 in London.

At the conclusion of a two-day meeting at the Foreign Office, the Joint Ministerial Council, JMC, which brings together UK ministers and Overseas Territories leaders agreed on a joint communiqué which included the agenda of issues addressed. Previous to the JMC the Overseas Territories Association held a meeting of their Political Council.

Falklands had a most busy week in London with ministerial meetings, contacts, speeches, addressing an agenda full of issues in different fields most of them of interest for the Islands and shared with colleagues from the Association of Overseas Territories.

The highlight of this year's Joint Ministerial Council, JMC, meeting between British Overseas Territories leaders and UK cabinet ministers was a speech by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, referred to climate change and the role BOTs play “on the front line”.

The annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) between the United Kingdom Government and the Governments of the Overseas Territories is taking place virtually this week with the involvement of lawmaker MLA Teslyn Barkman in representation of the Falkland Islands.

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said that Lord Ahmad had “done a stellar job” as the overseas territories minister over the last two years, as he addressed the opening of the Pre-JMC (Joint Ministerial Council) meeting which convened British Overseas Territories leaders, including the Falkland Islands.

Falkland Islands lawmaker MLA Teslyn Barkman pointed out in Cayman Islands how Brexit and a no deal departure by the UK could totally destroy the economy of her country because the bulk of the Islands exports go to the European Union.

A delegation from the Falklands attended the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council this week. This is the 20th meeting of the Leaders and Representatives from the UK Overseas Territories and Ministers of Her Majesty’s Government.