The Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick attended the Tenth UK-Caribbean Forum which this year, was hosted by the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Thursday, 18 March 2021 virtually.

The forum brings together Foreign Ministers from the UK and CARICOM which aims at strengthening cooperation between the UK and Caribbean countries; and provides an opportunity to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues at Ministerial level. Discussions this year were led by Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), Lord Tariq Ahmad.

The three main areas of focus were the: Economy, Environment; and Values and Security. The forum heard from various country leaders and received a special message from The Prince of Wales, Charles Philip Arthur George.

The Premier, commenting on the forum stated, “The invitation to attend this Tenth UK –Caribbean Forum was a welcomed one. The representation of Turks and Caicos Islands at a meeting of this level is necessary to ensure not only that this country has an opportunity to promote our brand, but also to hear from other Ministerial Leaders their best practices and to discuss major global and regional matters, including economic growth, national security and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important that we not only show our strength as a leading country in the Caribbean but it is equally as important to build mutually beneficial relationships with countries in the region and across the globe. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands can thrive and prosper.

Thank you to Lord Tariq Ahmad and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the invitation. It has been a very productive and insightful day of discussion. My Government will continue to work to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands ascends in upward growth.”

The UK –Caribbean forum is a biennial event, with the UK and a Caribbean country hosting alternatively. The UK Overseas Territories have been invited as participatory observers to the forum by the UK. Discussions during the forum was captured in a Joint Communique and an Action Plan which was signed digitally. The next forum will take place in 2023 in the Caribbean.