
The Falkland Islands Executive Council this week approved legislation to establish the Hill Cove Mountains National Park and make it a legally protected area. This follows the earlier approval of the Hill Cove Mountains National Park Policy and Management Plan. The park will officially be designated upon publication of the legislation in the Gazette.

The Executive Council has approved a Pollution Prevention and Waste Management Strategy for the Falkland Islands. The strategy aims to provide a clear plan to address the long-term reduction and prevention of pollution and control of waste in the Falklands, in a way that suits the unique context of the Islands.

June is a most poignant month for the Falkland Islands since on the 14th, the community commemorates the Liberation of the Islands in 1982 after 74 days of occupation by Argentine forces.

The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly notes the announcement by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, that the Parliament at Westminster is to be dissolved and a General Election convened for Thursday, 4 July, 2024.

Following approval from ExCo on Tuesday 23 January, the Falkland Islands Government in joint working with British Forces South Atlantic will be able to proceed with “in principle approval” for Phase Two of the Mare Harbour Wind Farm.

British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, was present on Sunday at the Gibraltar National Day celebrations. Cleverly, who was on a private visit to the Rock with his family, followed the celebrations from a balcony in Casamates, but did not take part in the official events.

A group of eighteen members from the House of Commons and the House of Lords will be in Gibraltar this week on a working visit for National Day, Sunday September 10. They will coincide with a separate delegation of leaders from the British Overseas Territories, including Falkland Islands representatives who will engage in preparatory work with a view to the next meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council with the UK in November.

By MLA Peter Biggs (*) – In the Falkland Islands, the foundations of our livelihoods are reliant on our environment - fishing, agriculture, tourism - and these key sectors would not exist without healthy ecosystems.

At the Legislative Assembly last week MLA Peter Biggs was invited to outline steps “the government and country had taken to coordinate a plan for climate action and assess and react our ocean needs, and landowners most pressing concern - our drying climate?”

The Falklands Legislative Assembly will be holding a Motion of Condolence for Her Majesty the Queen at the Court and Assembly Chambers, Friday 16 September, 09:00 hours.