UK OTs Representatives' Virtual Meeting with FCO Minister
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
UK Reps met online on 16th July with Baroness Liz Sugg, Overseas Territories' minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.
I thanked FCO for their help in repatriating the conservation workers from Gough Island via Ascension, and emphasised the vulnerability of Tristan's access and supply lines. I also stressed that the Tristan economy was facing a tough time given the effects of the pandemic on lobster sales. Minister Sugg acknowledged both points.
Baroness Liz Sugg engaged in the OT meeting
with other delegates below, including Chris Carnegy, far right.
We also discussed the UK's future funding priorities for Overseas Territories, especially economic diversification and environmental stewardship, and looked forward to the next steps in EU trade negotiations and plans for a (physical or virtual) annual gathering of elected Territory leaders.
Chris Carnegy ensured Tristan was conspicuous through the soaring albatross picture (see note below)
and a Tristan tie unfortunately curtailed by the framing.
On the call I was accompanied by a picture made some years ago by Riaan Repetto.