Finance in focus, and Tristan friends gather, as JMC concludes
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
The final day of the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council turned the spotlight on island finances.
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| JMC deliberations enter second day in the Grand Locarno Room | Tristan flag on show in the JMC meeting room |
A session on economic growth brought warm comments about Tristan da Cunha’s fishery from OTs minister Stephen Doughty, who called Tristan lobster ‘world-beating’ and noted the new concession deal as one of the landmark economic events of 2025 across the OT scene.
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello tackles development-funding issues
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello spoke in a session on development funding, thanking UK Aid for recent support and for the recent visit from their infrastructure adviser. He also noted that small and remote Territories face special challenges; the minister and his officials clearly heard his views and gave helpful responses.
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| FCDO’s desk officer for Tristan Charles Wickham, just back from the island, in Tristan tie | Meeting defence minister Lord Vernon Coaker |
A visit from defence minister Lord Vernon Coaker brought a chance for me to lobby for Navy visits to Tristan.
The JMC concluded with the adoption of a communiqué and a reception that included several friends of Tristan, and also saw the formal launch of the Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy to which Tristan has contributed.
Tristan’s profile has been high in JMC Week 2025, with many positive expressions of goodwill from London.
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| Chris at the reception with Tristan da Cunha Association Webmaster Peter Millington (centre) and Co-Chair John Cooper. | With Julian Morris, who advised the Tristan government on the recent fishery contract process |
Minister for nature Mary Creagh launching the Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy
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| With St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha governor HE Nigel Phillips CBE and FCDO Overseas Territories director Robbie Bulloch | Chris with Tristan da Cunha Association Meetings Secretary Barry Carter and Tristan islander Hazel Carter who is Family News Editor and Annual Gathering Hotel Co-Ordinator. |
Recognition for Tristan, and a meeting with the King in JMC Week
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
The first day of formal meetings of the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council took place on 26th November – and it brought confirmation that Tristan can have its own ‘compact’ with London.
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| JMC setting in the FCDO’s Grand Locarno Room | OTs minister Stephen Doughty and FCDO OTs director Robbie Bulloch, pictured as the JMC got underway, with former Tristan da Cunha Administrator Steve Townsend spotted between them. Steve helped organise the 2025 JMC on behalf of the FCDO. |
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello, joining the Council via video link, asked whether the UK would offer Tristan its own deal, distinct from St Helena, to address the island’s own priorities. Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty announced that we can, and welcomed Ian’s ideas on how the compacts will be rolled-out.
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello made contributions via video link from the Tristan Council Chamber
Further sessions brought news on how the UK can help OTs with cyber security and healthcare technology. And there was praise from the UK’s Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis, who replied to remarks from Ian saying, “I’ve rarely been so inspired as I have by seeing Tristan doing work with nature and connecting people with nature”.
JMC underway in Grand Locarno Room
The day concluded with a private event at Buckingham Palace. I represented Tristan da Cunha as King Charles hosted the heads of the JMC’s London delegations.
HM King Charles greeting UK Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty at the Reception at Buckingham Palace for those members of Overseas Territories attending the Joint Ministerial Council (Photo Buckingham Palace)
The JMC will return to the Foreign Office for its final sessions on Thursday.
Parliament focus on day 2 of JMC Week
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
The winter sun was shining on Westminster as Day 2 of JMC Week began on 25th November, for an encounter with the House of Lords Constitution Committee.
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| With Lord Strathclyde, chairman of the Lords’ Constitution Committee | Sunshine, and the Tristan flag, in Parliament Square |
The peers are planning an inquiry that will look at the UK government's approach to policy on the Overseas Territories. I had individual conversations with its chair Lord Strathclyde and others. Despite its small size, Tristan da Cunha is often an active participant in such debates.
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| OTs minister Stephen Doughty delivering the conference keynote speech | The Speaker’s Director of External Affairs, David Clark, proudly sporting his Tristan tie |
The afternoon saw a special conference in Parliament's Portcullis House, which brought together MPs, Lords and others with an OT interest to explore two themes: modern democracy in the OTs; and the Territories' strategic importance. The event was organised by the UK Overseas Territories Association, of which Tristan da Cunha is an active member. OTs minister Stephen Doughty gave the keynote speech: he referenced his recent online meeting with Tristan's Chief Islander Ian Lavarello, noted ongoing funding to protect the Territories' precious environments, and named Tristan's recent solar-power scheme when he spoke of infrastructure projects.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper with Leaders and Ministers of Overseas Territories at the Joint Ministerial Council 2025 (Photo Ben Dance, FCDO)
Recently-appointed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper met the JMC's heads of delegation at a special gathering inside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She singled-out Tristan lobster as an example of how OTs generate export goods, and noted the importance of a strong partnership with the Territories at a time of global uncertainty. I conveyed greetings to her from Ian, and thanked her for the UK's support for infrastructure work including on the roads and hospital.
Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle welcomes guests to Speaker’s House
The day ended with a lavish dinner given by the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Heads of delegation were joined by other VIP guests, including the Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, HE Nigel Phillips.
Formal JMC sessions begin on Wednesday 26th November.
Tristan at the heart of UK Remembrance |
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| Tristan Government UK Representative lays Joint OT wreath at the Cenotaph 9-Nov-2025 |
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Tristan’s week of Remembrance begins in Westminster |
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| Chris Carnegy plants cross on behalf of the island community 6-Nov-2025 |
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Tristan represented at Red Ensign conference |
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| Sea safety in focus as Rodney Green travels to Guernsey 28-Jun-2025 |
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Work starts to prepare for 2025 Joint Ministerial Council |
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| Chief islander joins virtual meeting 26-Jun-2025 |
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