NEW UK OTs MINISTER AND OTs LEADERS HOLD INITIAL CONFERENCE CALL

The new British government Minister for Overseas Territories has had her first outreach with the 14 leaders of the islands scattered across the globe, six of which are in the Caribbean/Americas region.

The video link-up took place on Wednesday 5th August, around two weeks after the new OTs Minister/Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Uma Kumaran took over the role in late July during a major Cabinet reshuffle by new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. She reports to the new UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.

A social media post by the Office of the Premier described the conference call as a positive start to a new UK-Overseas Territories Ministerial relationship.

“On Wednesday, Premier André Ebanks joined fellow OT Heads of Government, led by the current President of the UK Overseas Territories Association’s Political Council, the Hon. Premier of Bermuda Edward David Burt, for an introductory meeting with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Uma Kumaran, MP. Minister Kumaran was recently appointed, with responsibility for the Overseas Territories. Also on the call with Premier Ebanks were Her Excellency, the Governor, Mrs Jane Owen, and Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose.”

It reported that discussions during the meeting centred on shared priorities: climate adaptation and resilience, AI, economic growth, and the UK Government’s strategy to eradicate Violence Against Women and Girls across the OTs.

Premier Andre Ebanks was quoted as saying: “I look forward to meeting Minister Kumaran in person, during overseas engagements in late Q3 or early Q4.”

Meanwhile, Governor Jane Owen, in a comment on the social media page of the Governor’s Office, wrote: “I welcome the appointment of Uma Kumaran MP as Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories and the Caribbean. We look forward to working closely with her in support of our Islands, building on the strong partnership between Cayman and the United Kingdom.”

Also on the call were leaders from the other OTs.

In a previous statement welcoming the new OTs Minister, the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Charles Washington Misick, said: “I warmly welcome the appointment of the Uma Kumaran MP as the United Kingdom’s Minister for the Overseas Territories. The relationship between the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom is one of longstanding constitutional partnership, founded on mutual respect, shared democratic values, and our collective commitment to good governance, security, and the wellbeing of our people.2

He said his government looks forward to working closely with Minister Kumaran to build upon the strong foundation of cooperation that already exists between our Governments.

The Governor of the TCI, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, wrote: “I welcome the appointment of Uma Kumaran MP  as the UK’s Minister for the Overseas Territories. We look forward to working with Minister Kumaran to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom. Together, we will continue to advance the shared interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, supporting the prosperity and wellbeing of our beautiful by nature Islands.”

In a statement from the Governor’s Office in Anguilla dated July 31st,  Governor Julkia Crouch said: “We are delighted to welcome Uma Kumaran MP as the United Kingdom’s new Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories and the Caribbean. Her portfolio also includes global technology, artificial intelligence, and tackling violence against women and girls. Together we look forward to advancing the shared priorities of the UK and the people of Anguilla, including on security, prosperity, good governance, and sustainable development.”

Further afield, in a social media post associated with last Wednesday’s conference call, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, reported that the meeting was convened by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office(FCDO) and the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association(UKOPTA). Noting that Ms Kumaran succeeds Stephen Doughty MP, who is nowMinister of State at the FCDO for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Chief Minister Picardo stated: “I thank Minister Doughty for his Rock-solid support during our Treaty negotiations (referring to status and access negotiations between Gibraltar, the UK, Spain, and the EU about the status of Gibraltar - also known as ‘the Rock’).

He continued: “I welcome Minister Kumaran to her new role and wish her well. I look forward to working with her, as I have with her predecessors, in the interests of Gibraltar and of the Overseas Territories.”

Following their initial conference call, it is expected that the OTs leaders and the new UK OTs minister will have their first in-person meeting during this year’s OTs/UK Joint Ministerial Council(JMC) summit in November, normally hosted by the FCDO in London.