The Premier Hon. Washington Misick, during the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) assumed presidency of the UKOTA Political Council and Ms Tracy Knight, UK Representative for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) and head of the TCIG London Office was elected as UKOTA Chairman.
At the UKOTA AGM, which was held on Thursday, 10 February 2022, UK Representatives of the British Overseas Territory (BOT) Governments elected Ms Tracy Knight, who represents the Government at UKOTA meetings, as Chairman. The Premier, according to the Association’s constitution, assumes the Presidency of the Political Council of UKOTA.
As Chair of UKOTA Ms Knight will lead the work of the Association, advancing and defending the collective interests of the Overseas Territories in the UK, over the forthcoming year.
Commenting on the Chairmanship Ms Knight said, ‘It is an honour to be elected as Chair of UKOTA and I am grateful for the confidence of the other Overseas Territory Representatives and support of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to further promote the relationship between the Overseas Territories and the UK and to engaging with all stakeholders to advance the work of the Association.’
As President of the Political Council, Premier Misick will have responsibility for chairing the council’s annual meeting of political leaders in London later this year ahead of the annual Joint Ministerial Council between the Overseas Territories and the UK.
“As President I look forward to working with OTs to project us toward the elevation of the socio-economic standing of all our peoples, break down the barriers to sustenance and self-actualisation; and improve communication and collaborative efforts with the UK Government to ensure BOT’s individual and collective concerns are heard and solutions actualised for the betterment of the lives of our people.” said the Premier.
He further added, “It is with pride that I congratulate Ms Knight on being elected as Chairman for the Association. This is a true testament of the diligent, innovative and forward-thinking staff that forms the Office of the Premier and Public Policy and this Government. I have every confidence that Ms Knight will excel and aid greatly in achieving our collective goals.”
UKOTA was established in 1994 by the Governments of the UK Overseas Territories with permanent populations to promote the interests of the Overseas Territories and co-operation between them.
The main work of UKOTA is representing the collective view of the Overseas Territories through dialogue and contact with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and other UK Government Departments; both at official and Ministerial level.
The Territories represented on UKOTA are: Ascension Island, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Turks and Caicos Islands.