Premier attends Business in London with Key Meetings

Cayman Islands Premier Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly spearheaded multiple high-level meetings today, Monday, 18 November 2024 kicking-off a week of official business in London, United Kingdom.

She began by hosting fellow Caribbean UKOT Heads of Government for breakfast where they reaffirmed goals and expectations set during their one-day summit in October 2024. In attendance at today’s breakfast meeting were Premiers Hon. Ellis Webster of Anguilla; Hon. Natalio Wheatley of British Virgin Islands; Hon. Reuben Meade of Montserrat and Hon. Charles Misick of Turks and Caicos.

Premier O’Connor-Connolly then proceeded to Church House, Westminster where she chaired a meeting of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory Association (UKOTA) Political Council in her current role as President.

During the meeting, the UKOTA annual report was tabled along with other presentations and a detailed review of the Joint Ministerial Council (“JMC”) meeting agenda. The Joint Ministerial Council is an annual meeting between Heads of Government of UK Overseas Territories and United Kingdom Government Ministers organised by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and hosted by the Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories.

In the afternoon, a bilateral meeting was held at the FCDO between Premier O’Connor-Connolly and the recently elected UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Hon. Stephen Doughty, MP which is their first in-person meeting since the UK’s General Election. During the bilateral Premier O’Connor-Connolly provided updates on Hurricane Rafael recovery efforts, expressed gratitude for the UK’s support during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Samoa and invited Minister Doughty to visit the Cayman Islands.

Discussions touched on the upcoming JMC meetings including improvements to the format, delivering on previous JMC commitments and Cayman’s work to date on beneficial ownership as well as the implementation of Russia sanctions.

The evening concluded with the Premier attending a private dinner for all JMC Heads of Delegation hosted by Minister Stephen Doughty.

In reflecting on Monday’s eventful agenda, Premier O’Connor Connolly noted,

“Monday has been a busy yet productive day of bilateral and multilateral engagement. I am grateful that Minister Doughty extended his time to us today to discuss matters relevant to the Cayman Islands & United Kingdom’s relationship. Over the past 3 years, the London Office has focused on engagement with the Labour Party including attending party conferences and holding meetings with the then Shadow Government. My first meeting in-person with Minister Doughty was during my visit in May of this year when he was the Shadow Minister for the Overseas Territories. Therefore today’s bilateral was a renewal of acquaintances as opposed to an introduction which is extremely valuable to any political relationship. I believe that our dialogue, while open and frank has been undergirded by mutual respect and sets the right tone for the important meetings to be held this week.” She continued, “It is clear the Overseas Territories share many common areas of interest and desire a truly modern and refreshed relationship with the new UK Government”.