Tristan da Cunha Government News Abroad

Chief Islander thanks UK minister for crisis help

Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Tristan Chief Islander Ian Lavarello
taking part in the meeting from the Island Council Chamber

Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander has personally thanked the UK minister for Overseas Territories for his support of the island. Their encounter came in an online meeting between Stephen Doughty MP and the elected Leaders of the UK Territories.

Ian Lavarello thanked the minister for his support in the aftermath of the recent storm that has left a trail of destruction on Tristan. He noted that such events are linked to climate change, and that small islands will need UK help to adapt to its effects.

Stephen Doughty MP Minister for the UK Overseas Territories	Bermuda's Premier David Burt who is current President of the UK Overseas Territories Association.

The minister also praised the local response to 'extraordinary' recent events on Tristan, noting that the Hantavirus episode was 'testament to the resilience of the peoples and teams' of Tristan and other South Atlantic islands.

The meeting, held on 16th July 2026, helped set a course towards the UK and OTs Joint  Ministerial Council, to be held in London in November.

Tristan sea safety prominent at Red Ensign Conference

Report and photos from Tristan Governemnt UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Delegates at the conference venue in Hamilton

A conference of maritime territories, held in Bermuda 29th June - 2nd July 2026, brought a reminder of how small islands can benefit from sharing information and resources to help tackle shared challenges. I represented Tristan da Cunha's Director of Fisheries, Cllr Rodney Green, at the annual gathering of the Red Ensign Group, uniting the maritime authorities of the UK, its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. Tristan has 'coastal State' responsibilities across navigation aids, marine conservation, fishery regulation and marine mapping, and the conference is a chance to learn from others' best practice, to gather contacts and identify sources of help. The week began with a meeting of the South Atlantic Working Group, uniting Tristan with St Helena, Ascension, South Georgia and the Falklands. Inevitably the shipping implications of the recent Hantavirus outbreak were considered, with islands looking to learn lessons in co-operation with cruise operators. I also shared plans for safety checks of the new fishing fleet that will go into Tristan service in 2027, and fellow OTs updated us on their emergency plans and proposals for new regulations.

Chris catching up with Ascension's Operations and Port Manager Kitty George

The main sessions covered a wide range of topics, from wreck management and cyber threats to search-and-rescue drones and the challenge of tackling illegal fishing.

The REG is supported by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who have a special programme that supports sea-safety in the Overseas Territories. The conference week brought a chance to speak with them on Tristan's current needs. They are keen to help.

My report back to the island includes multiple contacts and connections from across the UK's worldwide maritime family.

Bermuda's shipping minister Owen Darrell rings the bell to open the conference,
watched by co-chair Christian Olsen of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

South Atlantic delegates, representing Tristan da Cunha, Ascension, St Helena, the Falklands and South Georgia.

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

Joy as Tristanians arrive in Weymouth
The four Tristan islanders who were potentially exposed to Hantavirus on the MV Hondius have completed their isolation period in the UK. 7-Jun-2026
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Tristan prominent during Overseas Territories Day
Tristan Association Co-Chair and UK Respresentative attend prestigious London Overseas Territories Day events 2-Jun-2026
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An early chance to thank UK ministers for historic mission
Tristan represented at State Opening of Parliament, 13th May 2026. 13-May-2026
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UK experts reach out to Tristan
FCDO and British Expertise International link with Overseas Territories 27-Mar-2026
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Tristan embraced by the Commonwealth
2026 Commonwealth Day report 16-Mar-2026
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Administrator's early 2026 trip overseas
Covering important meetings and events 28-Feb-2026
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