Blue Belt celebrates ten years
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
Overseas Territories minister Stephen Doughty gives the keynote speech
Tristan da Cunha's globally-important contribution to ocean conservation was in the spotlight at a celebration to mark ten years of the Blue Belt.
Tristan's Marine Protection Zone is the largest fully-protected reserve in the Atlantic and is a major part of the Blue Belt programme, which supports UK Overseas Territories in stewardship of their ocean environments.
Environment Policy Officer Andy Schofield and I represented Tristan at the event, held in the imposing Locarno Suite at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London. It was staged on World Oceans Day, 8th June 2026. Many friends of Tristan also attended.
The UK's Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty gave the keynote speech. He recognised OT communities whose lives are 'unbreakably linked to the sea', and especially praised the commitment of young islanders to their environments.
Tristan's conservation achievements were highlighted in the exhibition space
Territory UK Representatives line up with minister Doughty
Chris with the FCDO's Blue Belt lead Kylie Bamford