S.Atlantic : First Forum for South Atlantic Territories Cooperation Submitted by SARTMA.com (Public Relations Information Office) 15.03.2011 (Article Archived on 27.04.2011)
At the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in November 2010, St Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha and the Falklands agreed to establish a South Atlantic Territories Cooperation Forum.
First Forum for South Atlantic Territories Cooperation
At the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in November 2010, St Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha and the Falklands agreed to establish a South Atlantic Territories Cooperation Forum.
This Forum sets a platform for the Territories to discuss areas of common interest which will facilitate information exchange and sharing of best practice.
The first forum took place on Thursday 17th February, via a teleconference, and was hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Councillor Tara Thomas, Deputy Chair of the Home and International Committee spoke on behalf of the Island and Chair, Councillor Derek Thomas was also in attendance. They were joined by Tourism Development Executive, Mike Dean, and Environment Coordinator, Isabel Peters.
This first Forum focussed on how the Islands will take forward discussions on areas common to all of them. These selected areas include Tourism, Conservation, Public Sector Workforce Development and Alternative Energy Sources.
It was agreed that each territory will lead on an area which will include agreeing a set of objectives across the territories and coordinating an action plan.
When speaking of the progress made during this first teleconference, Councillor Tara Thomas said:
“Cooperation between the territories has been talked about for a number of years and we’re really pleased this useful link has now come to fruition. Everyone was really positive about our progress and we can only look forward to the outcome of the next forum.”
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
23 February 2011
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