UK AND CAYMAN REAFFIRM STRONG PARTNERSHIP

UK AND CAYMAN REAFFIRM STRONG PARTNERSHIP

By Editorial Staff

The first official visit to the Cayman Islands of the UK Minister for Overseas Territories has helped to “reaffirm the relationship that exists between Cayman and the UK”. This assessment by Hon. Premier Andre Ebanks was made during a meeting with the British Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty and Her Excellency Governor Jame Owen.

Addressing the broad scope of the UK-Cayman relationship, Premier Ebanks made the point that across the range of issues the depth of collaboration reflects “a symbol of how much the relationship has grown”

He said: “It's a constitutional relationship which has benefited from its stability and its familiarity. It helps us legally, economically and also culturally. But it's gone beyond legal definitions. It's gone to truly meaningful collaboration and discussion, and I think you'll find in this visit that we have a mature dialogue now based on mutual interest.”

Mr Doughty, who was appointed in July 2024, retained his position in the recent wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle in the Labour Party government of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

“I really second what the Premier said about the relationship,” he stated in response to Premier Ebanks, describing it as one of respect, cooperation, mutual collaboration and shared priorities.

Mr Doughty further underlined this by highlighting specific areas he felt showed the depth of the cooperation, listing among them: “our mutual prosperity and wellbeing of citizens in the Cayman Islands or in the UK, security, mutual challenges we all face around irregular migration, climate change and nature protection.”

He also referred to issues which he said “are fundamental to any good society; good governance, transparency and those things which Cayman is known for”. According to the UK’s Overseas Territories minister: “We want to work together to ensure firm foundations for the future.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Governor Jane Owen, who spoke of a ‘partnership’ between the UK and Cayman evidenced through her office.

“I do feel that it's all about partnership,” she stated. “I feel my day-to-day work is about partnership with the government, with the security services, with people who are looking after governance. We do it all together, and that's the whole point of it. And increasingly, when we're having these discussions, we're looking forward.”

Governor Owen also characterised those in the wider context of the links with the UK government coming out of the meetings between Min. Doughty and Premier Ebanks. “I think quite a lot of the discussions have been about, what does the future hold? Where are we going? And that's where having that strong link with the UK, I do believe can really make a massive difference.”

She also said the relationship between Cayman and the UK benefits from what each partner brings to the table.

“You've got all of the experience of Cayman here in the Caribbean, but you've also got a lot of the clout you get from the UK, through the UN with Europe as a global player in so many areas, and what we want to do is to really leverage that in our partnership.”

Governor Owen went on to elaborate on the expertise in Cayman in the various sectors which she feels puts the territory in a strong position.

“We have so much talent on these islands and that's why we are able to be so successful and look to the future with so much confidence… the sort of talent you get in government, in the private sector, and people have the right values and the right desire to create a future that works for everyone.”

The Governor also advocated exploring closer ties for training and other areas of cooperation between the Cayman and the British civil service establishments.

SPECIFIC ISSUES

Min. Doughty praised the role Cayman has been playing in supporting the British government’s policy position on key international issues. He cited “the excellent work that's been done on sanctions in very difficult geopolitical circumstances” as an example, saying that “the work that Cayman has done has been absolutely excellent.”

He also credited Cayman for working along with the UK on the global environment and climate change agenda, referring to innovations that Cayman developed not only locally, but also "showing leadership across our wider family on those issues.”

Another area singled out by Mr Doughty for Cayman’s strong external leadership is its support for sister UK overseas territories.

“Cayman has done a lot also to support other overseas territories in the Caribbean, in particular at some really difficult times, I think, it's really to be commended. And I think the more we can have resilience within our family to those challenges, the better.”

On the issue of constitutional reform, Mr Doughty, who hails from Wales (part of the devolved Nations and Regions in the UK), explained: “I'm hugely respectful of devolution of powers being at appropriate levels. It's fundamentally for people in the Cayman Islands and the government to talk about what changes and developments they would like to see going forward. We believe in the principle of self-determination. It's a modern partnership. Partnerships evolve through time, and so I'm always open to conversations on those matters. The questions are: does that lead to better governance, better delivery of services, better outcomes for people in the Cayman Islands and the sustainability of our relationship going forward?"

Regarding the controversy surrounding implementing the UK law on Public Access to Registers of Beneficial Ownership of Business in Cayman and other Overseas Territories: “We've been very clear about wider UK expectations, and we believe that transparency and accountability in the financial services industry is an important thing. It's a foundation of a strong industry, and it also helps you guard against risks, threats and challenges. You'd be aware there's a very lively debate on this in the UK as well. This isn't just about transparency and accountability in the territories, but it's also about it in the UK. It's in our own backyard, and there's a lot of things that would have been going on in London in recent decades that need reform and change too, and so this is a challenge to the whole system.” Mr Doughty added that he was “really pleased” with the progress of Cayman introducing the legitimate interest register in February.

Another issue is the call for decriminalisation of cannabis, supported in the local referendum in April, but which clashes with existing UK legislation.

“We have international obligations as well, and this is obviously a live debate in a number of the OTs, but pretty much the (British) government’s position is very clear on that.” (Ed. Possession of cannabis for recreational use is illegal in the UK)

With regional security in the Caribbean now even more of a frontline topic, the UK Overseas Territories Overseas Minister gave this strong assurance: “We need to make sure that all the territories are able to be resilient and ready for any challenges that might come their way. This very naturally fits with some of the priorities of the UK Government. These are absolutely shared priorities, and we have a responsibility in our strategy…and that means close cooperation with the Premier and the Governor, and making sure the resources are in place.” He also said Cayman actually has a unique role to play, "not just protecting its people directly, but actually across the region."

Concerning climate change and protecting the environment, Mr Doughty announced that funding has been secured for the continuation of two major programmes. “On a very positive note, I can say we're able to confirm additional funding for the Blue Belt (global marine biodiversity) Program 2030, and on top of that the Darwin (conservation and climate resilience) program as well. And I think that builds on the evidence of success that we have here in Cayman. I’m really keen to highlight that as well across the OTs family, but also making sure that the OTS are heard as voices at the Global Forum on this.”

Mr Doughty also commended Cayman via the Premier's Office and the Government’s UK Office for producing “an absolutely fantastic film that the Cayman team did promoting the marine environment which was shown in the UK Parliament, describing it as “very inspiring”.