London, England- The slated meetings and on-going discourse at the Joint Ministerial Council are proving to be a fruitful and promising time for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs). Following a time of excellent representation at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the impact of climate change on Anguilla and other Small Island Developing States continues to frame most discussions. Committed to giving the youth an opportunity to be heard, The Honourable Premier Ellis Lorenzo Webster, MD invited Ms. Jasmine Ruan an Anguillian student of the environment to meet the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
Ms. Ruan, who is currently pursuing a degree in Marine Biology with Biodiversity and Conservation at Anglia Ruskin University fittingly aligns with the Blue Anguilla (BANG) Task Force which The Honourable Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie aptly delivered at the Joint Ministerial Council held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office in London.
Prince William personally spoke with The Honourable Premier and Ms. Ruan and during his remarks to the Overseas Territories directly referenced BANG as an exemplary example of UKOTs taking a responsible position to climate change. Prince William shared “You are all on the front line. Your contributions to global emissions are negligible, and yet you face the dire consequences of rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and the destruction of coral reefs”. The Duke of Cambridge went on to add “We need to continue telling your story whether that is St. Helena’s work to become one hundred percent renewable, the creation of Anguilla’s Blue Task Force or the joint work with the Marine Climate Change Impact Partnership.”
Commenting on the continued reference and discussions surrounding the potentialities, of the BANG Paper, The Honourable Parliamentary Secretary stated “Firstly I am honoured to have shared this moment with another young person who is not only passionate about the environment but rightly committed to action through her dissertation and career focus. I am congnizant that there are more persons who mirror the convictions and passions that was the basis for the BANG Task Force. The past three weeks have positioned Anguilla as a leader in climate adaptation. Needless to say, Anguilla has punched above its weight with the creation of a solid pathway to balance both economic and environmental interests. The opportunities to see marked change is real and present, collectively we will take hold”.
The Honourable Premier Ellis L. Webster, MD added “At home and abroad it is evident that the youth are committed to securing their future. They are mindful that doing so requires sound and calculated action today. My administration will not only hear and act on their behalf but will include them on any platform where the truest expressions of their realities can be shared. It is evident that we are at the final fork in the road with respects to combating climate change. A collective response is mandated if we are to advance as a people. Now is the time where the choice to embrace change will yield fruit. We must remain prudent and committed to the goals and work that will afford us sustainability today and survival tomorrow.”
– Press Release
