The Honourable Chief Minister Mr Victor F Banks announced last week that he will be attending a special meeting of the Heads of the Caribbean British Overseas Territories, in Miami on Saturday October 28th 2017. The meeting is being held ahead of the Annual Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) that is to be in London on the 27th to 30th November 2017. The meeting in Miami will be hosted by the Premier of the Cayman Islands, The Honourable Alden McLaughlin MBE, JP, MLA.
In inviting the heads to this meeting, Premier McLaughlin wrote:
“In light of the unprecedented impact of these recent hurricanes on our respective territories, it is my view that this year’s JMC cannot be business as usual. I therefore write to propose that we hold a special meeting of the Caribbean Overseas Territory Heads of Government on Saturday, 28th October 2017 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Miami Florida to prepare for this year’s Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC). It is important that we use this opportunity to discuss common issues to disaster mitigation, response and recovery, as well as identify the key stakeholders who need to be invited to attend this year’s JMC”.
Chief Minister Banks leaves Anguilla on Thursday the 26th October. He will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of Economic Development, Mr Larry Frankin, and Government of Anguilla Sherpa, Mr Fritz Smith. Blondel Cluff, the Representative of the Government of Anguilla to the UK and EU and Charlie Wheeler from the Government of Anguilla, London Office will also join the delegation. Mr Godwin Carty, President of APANY Florida Branch, Dr Leonard Richardson President of APANY Baltimore Branch and Mrs Maxine Herbert Duggins, Business Woman, will also join the Chief Minister.
Whilst in Miami, Chief Minister Banks will also be involved in a series of other meetings. On Friday 27th October the Chief Minister and the delegation are to meet with Gencom, to discussed tourism related projects. Following the special meeting the Chief Minister and his local team will meet with the Mr Godwin Carty, Dr Leonard Richardson, Maxine Herbert Duggins and Mrs Blondel Cluff to discuss their respective relief efforts. On Sunday October 29th there is a planned Town Hall meeting with the Anguilla Diaspora in Florida at which the Chief Minister Banks will update the community on the progress to recovery, reconstruction and resilience building.
The Chief Minister and his delegation will return to Anguilla on Monday the 30th October.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
