British Virgin Islands
House of Assembly, British Virgin Islands
Key Facts
Head of State: HM King Charles III
Head of Government: Premier Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley MHA
Capital City (location of Parliament): Road Town, Tortola
Unicameral/Bicameral: Unicameral - House of Assembly (13)
Further Information:
Googlemaps
CPA UK & the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands regularly engages in bilateral and multilateral activities delivered as part of the CPA UK-led UK Overseas Territories Project (UKOTP) which focuses on good governance and oversight of public finances. UKOTP remains committed to working with colleagues in BVI.
In 2011, 2015, and 2019, CPA BIMR led an Election Observation Mission to the British Virgin Islands, and in June 2021 the UKOTP delivered a series of virtual training sessions for parliamentarians from BVI, covering a range of topics including fostering cross-party and government relationships, working effectively with clerks, parliamentary procedure and scrutiny, the role of select committees, and diplomatic and communications skills.
Recent Programmes
Election Observation Mission the British Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, April 202
The international observers that carried out an independent Election Observation Mission to the British Virgin Islands general elections in April 2023 have published their final report. The observers concluded that the British Virgin Islands Election Day was orderly, peaceful and well-run, voting on Advance Polling Day proceeded smoothly, and that the legal framework in place offers a sound basis for democratic elections. The final report is available here.
Caribbean Clerks Programme, Parliament of Barbados, Bridgetown, 26-27 January 2023
CPA UK delivered the third Caribbean Clerks Programme, in partnership with the Parliament of Barbados and ParlAmericas. The sessions ran across two days and was hosted in the Senate Chamber of the Parliament of Barbados. The approach of the programme was one of peer-to-peer learning, with attendees sharing their knowledge and expertise. The sessions covered a number of topics including: the role of a clerk; working effectively with members; and operating with resource constraints.
Fifth Overseas Territories Forum on Oversight of Public Finances and Good Governance, Westminster, 29 November - 1 December 2022
Parliamentarians, clerks, electoral officials, and external and internal auditors from across the UK Overseas Territories travelled to Westminster to attend the fifth Overseas Territories Forum. The Forum was delivered by CPA UK, in collaboration with the National Audit Office, and the Government Internal Audit Agency. Over the three days, the Forum offered the opportunity for delegates to discuss and share knowledge through panel discussions, presentations, workshops, and meetings.
To read the Fifth Overseas Territories Forum Report, click here.
Fourth Overseas Territories Forum on Oversight of Public Finances & Good Governance, Virtual, 30 November - 2 December 2021
Key actors from the UK and the Overseas Territories met virtually from 30 November to 2 December for the Oversight of Public Finance and Good Governance Forum 2021. This was the fourth programme of its kind, designed to bring together key stakeholders from across the Overseas Territories, including Speakers, Members, and Clerks from Legislatures, as well as Internal and External Auditors and Electoral Officials, to explore issues relating to good governance and oversight of public finances.
Parliamentarians Training, Virtual, 14, 21, & 28 June 2021
CPA UK was delighted to have been asked by the British Virgin Islands House of Assembly to deliver a series of virtual training sessions for parliamentarians. The training ensured that elected representatives in BVI were well-equipped to effectively carry out their parliamentary duties, more than two years since they were first elected.
Clerk Leadership Group, Virtual, April 2021 to present
The Clerk Leadership Group was launched in April 2021 and is a network designed to provide a forum for clerks from across the Overseas Territories to share their knowledge, expertise, and best practices on parliamentary clerk services with one another. The Clerk Leadership Groups meets at least once a quarter.
Featured Past Programmes
Election Observation Mission the British Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, 15-27 February 2019
The Election Observation Mission (EOM) observed the electoral process in accordance with international standards and domestic legislation. It was the third EOM to BVI following Missions in 2011 and 2015. The preliminary report is available here.
Visit by the Macro-Fiscal and Budget Units, London, 26-29 June 2018
The week long visit by a delegation from the Macro-Fiscal and Budget Units enabled them to explore international good practice and to share approaches with UK counterparts on priority areas relating to macro-fiscal planning and management.
The delegation met with a range of stakeholders in the Treasury, Cabinet Office and Office for Budget Responsibility to discuss good practice on macro-fiscal planning.
Following the visit, the delegation are developing an implementation plan with recommendations for implementation to be approved by the Financial Secretary and Minister of Finance.
