Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has defended the government’s overseas travel, saying such missions are essential to building partnerships, protecting the territory’s interests and strengthening its reputation globally.
Speaking during a panel discussion for Diplomatic Week 2025, Dr Wheatley said international engagement allows the Virgin Islands to advocate for itself on major issues such as climate change, financial services and political stability.
He said, “We cannot possibly maintain our position or even gain our position if we were just sitting at home. We have to be able to travel.”
The Premier argued that diplomacy and travel have brought tangible results for the territory, including partnerships formed during official trips to China and Malaysia that enhanced respect for the BVI abroad. He explained that global relationships have also proven critical during periods of political uncertainty, such as after the 2022 Commission of Inquiry.
“It was partly because of diplomacy, because of our relationship with the OECS and CARICOM, where they were able to stand up for us,” Dr Wheatley stated. He credited regional allies and BVI representatives overseas for helping to avert the suspension of the territory’s constitution and democracy.
Dr Wheatley said that the BVI’s leadership roles in international organisations demonstrate the results of this engagement. “The BVI is serving as vice chair of the CDCC and also vice chair of ECLAC,” he noted, calling it “an enormous accomplishment for a territory of 30 plus thousand people.”
He emphasised that building credibility requires a consistent presence. “If you only show up at the meetings when you need something, persons are not going to take you seriously,” he explained. “You have to show up consistently. You have to show that you’re committed to the cause.”
The Premier also rejected the notion that official travel equates to leisure. “It’s a lot of hard work. But there are perks and there are benefits. You get to meet a lot of different people, new people. You get to travel. You know, sometimes the travel can be onerous,” he said.
Other officials at the discussion, including Deputy Premier Julian Fraser, echoed the Premier’s view. Fraser said critics “don’t know the benefits of travelling if you don’t travel,” noting that essential diplomatic work “cannot be done anywhere else.”
The Premier concluded that overseas representation is about ensuring the BVI’s voice is heard and respected globally.
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