Progress Report: UK Overseas Territories Council
The UK Government recently published a report on their website which they said summarises work undertaken to carry out commitments made by the UK and Overseas Territories after the Joint Ministerial Council in December 2014.
According to the 8-page report, Infrastructure UK has advised on the proposed Bermuda airport development, Bermuda is considering a UK offer of assistance in refreshing its economic development strategy and Bermuda has confirmed that it plans to update bribery/corruption legislation.
This report follows after the UK Government released the Joint Ministerial Council Communique after this year’s Joint Ministerial Council meetings in London in December 2015.
As far as mentions of Bermuda, the report says:
Infrastructure UK has advised on proposed airport developments in Cayman, Bermuda and BVI.
Bermuda is considering a UK offer of assistance in refreshing its economic development strategy. The UK has reiterated its offer to provide assistance in this area for all of the Territories.
70 delegates including representatives from Anguilla, Cayman Islands and Montserrat took part in UK organised Anti-Bribery workshops in Bermuda on 21 and 22 January 2015 and Turks and Caicos Islands on, 27 and 28 January. Following this, the Turks and Caicos Integrity Commission has confirmed it will recommend to Cabinet stand alone bribery legislation. The Ministry of Justice has provided draft bribery legislation for TCI’s consideration and Bermuda has confirmed that it plans to update bribery/corruption legislation
Environmental Roadmaps have been received from all Territories except Anguilla, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands.
We have provided support to OTs who have not already implemented legislation to comply with CITIES – Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species All OT parties are now compliant except four, who have not passed legislation to comply with CITIES. Anguilla, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands.
The JMC Communiqué Commitments Progress Report follow below [PDF here]:
Bermuda has had legislation addressing CITES since 2006. Not sure why the UK does not seem to know this or why our reps at this meeting didn’t inform them.
http://www.bermudalaws.bm/Laws/Annual%20Laws/2006/Acts/Endangered%20Animals%20and%20Plants%20Act%202006.pdf