St Helena : COUNCILLOR GREEN AND DR ESSEX RETURN FROM OVERSEAS DISCUSSIONS
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 20.10.2012 (Article Archived on 03.11.2012)
‘How cool is green?’ was the question of focus at the 11th Ministerial Conference and EU-OCT forum held in Greenland this year.
COUNCILLOR GREEN AND DR ESSEX RETURN FROM OVERSEAS DISCUSSIONS
‘How cool is green?’ was the question of focus at the 11th Ministerial Conference and EU-OCT forum held in Greenland this year.
Councillor Tony Green and Dr Corinda Essex, Director of Corporate Procurement attended the forum as members of the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Delegation; they were joined by Kedell Worboys, SHG UK Representative and Chris Bates, Tristan da Cunha UK Representative.
Councillor Green and Dr Essex returned to the Island on 11 October 2012 and reported the following on their attendance at the forum:
The EU-OCT forum took place between 25-27 September with the first day being set aside for the Overseas Countries and Territories Association Ministerial Conference. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Green Growth’ and the focus was on political visibility.
Various panel discussions at the conference concentrated on the topics, ‘Sustainability as an Economic Driver’, ‘Political Visibility’, ‘Dialogue & the Overseas Countries Territories Association’, ‘Financial Services and Tourism’, and the ‘Erosion of Trade Preferences and Competitiveness’. Councillor Green was part of the panel discussion on ‘Sustainability as an Economic Driver’ and in his intervention spoke of St Helena’s three National Goals all of which reflect the Island’s commitment to sustainability as an economic driver. Councillor Green paid particular attention to the current construction of the airport which upon completion will give St Helena greater access to global tourism markets. He also spoke of the work of the Environmental Management Directorate and Enterprise St Helena in moving St Helena towards more ‘green growth’ both environmentally and through its economic development.
The general conclusion generated from the panel discussions was that although ‘green growth’ comes at a cost, it is a necessary and desirable aim that will save money in the long term; it should not be to the exclusion of other priorities and it needs to be recognised that each territory is at a different stage of development and all are affected by their unique position both politically and geographically.
The Political Declaration was signed towards the end of the conference after suggested amendments were agreed, including one made by the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Delegation who requested that recognition and associated flexibility must be given to the diversity of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and their varying developing priorities. This signing enables the Proposal for a new Council Overseas Association Decision (OAD) to be placed before the European Council for review, in preparation for adoption next year.
Dr Corinda Essex commented:
“The next OAD will determine what level of aid will be made available to Overseas Territories after EDF10 and in what forms this funding will be available. Therefore, it was essential that St Helena had a strong Delegation present that could voice the development needs of St Helena and her sister Islands.
“Given the current economic climate, it is very encouraging that the proposed OAD makes provision for territorial allocations and that St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are likely to receive a similar amount of funding to that allocated under EDF10. The European Commission recognises the special needs of the most isolated Overseas Territories and was receptive to the points raised by the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Delegation. The indications from the forum are that the close and productive relationship between the European Commission and St Helena Government that has been established is set to continue. This is very good news for the sustainable development of all three Islands.”
The conference was followed by the EU-OCT forum which took place for the remaining two days. The purpose of the forum is to outline the cooperation between the European Commission, Member States and the OCTs. Statements were made by Representatives of the EU Presidency, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and various financing agreements were also signed.
Other discussions at the forum focused on Environment and Climate Change, the European Investment Bank and OCTs, and a question and answer session by the Commission on the state of play of European Development Funding programming and implementation.
SHG
17 October 2012
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