Minister Cortes attends UKOT JMC - 775/2024

Minister for Environment and Education, the Hon Prof John Cortes, attended the UK Overseas Territories' (UKOT) Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in London in support of Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC. Minister Cortes led on the sessions on Environment and Human Development.

As Chair of the UKOT Environment Ministers' Council, Prof Cortes summarised the aspirations of the Overseas Territories in general in respect of the Environment and Climate Change, including a request for funding support especially for those territories most subjected to hurricanes. During the Human Development session, Minister Cortes' contribution centred on Gibraltar's progress in the Education sector.

The JMC meeting, chaired throughout by UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty, provided a useful opportunity to showcase and discuss issues of mutual interest and served to strengthen links between the members of the British family.

Chief Secretary Glendon Martinez and UK Representative Dominique Searle also formed part of the Gibraltar delegation.

Earlier in the week, Minister Cortes represented the Chief Minister at the pre-JMC Political Council of the Overseas Territories.

While in London, Minister Cortes was also able to catch up with other UK Ministers and officials including Minister for Education Stephen Morgan and Minister for Health Andrew Gwynne, and was guest of Speaker Sir Lyndsay Hoyle at a reception at the Speaker's residence in Westminster.

Minister for Environment and Education, the Hon Prof John Cortes, said: 'I was delighted to attend the JMC to discuss and advance matters of mutual importance and interest with our fellow Overseas Territories. Gibraltar is fully committed to environmental conservation and promoting biodiversity in line with our Net Zero strategy and our manifesto commitment to a child-friendly city. Importantly, Gibraltar has demonstrated our solidarity with fellow Overseas Territories who are most at risk of the worst effects of climate change through a joint request for funding support. I was pleased also to take the opportunity to meet with a number of Ministers and Senior Officials and update them on Gibraltar's work in Education and the Environment.'