Director of the Department of Environment, Ambassador Diann Black-Layne, brought valuable regional expertise to the global climate stage this week, serving as a featured speaker at an informational meeting hosted by representatives of the Virgin Islands during COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

The session—designed as a technical briefing rather than a formal launch—aimed to give stakeholders a clearer understanding of the emerging Virgin Islands Trust Fund and its intended role in the region’s climate finance landscape. Discussions centred on how the fund will support adaptation, mitigation, and long-term resilience initiatives.

The meeting attracted regional development partners and climate finance specialists, including representatives from the OECS, the Caribbean Development Bank, and officials from countries that already operate national climate funds. Presenters shared best practices for establishing strong governance systems, creating transparent financial frameworks, building institutional capacity, and identifying bankable climate projects.

Speakers also highlighted challenges that small island developing states continue to face—especially the difficulty of accessing climate finance, the need for readiness support, and the importance of designing funds that respond to local vulnerabilities and community priorities.

Ambassador Black-Layne, invited because of her leadership in developing Antigua and Barbuda’s Sustainable Island Resource Framework (SIRF) Fund, provided practical guidance drawn from firsthand experience. She outlined the institutional processes, governance structures, and community engagement mechanisms necessary to build a credible and effective climate fund. She also emphasized balancing donor requirements with national needs and ensuring that resources reach the most vulnerable populations.

Her recommendations for the Virgin Islands included building a strong pipeline of projects, investing in long-term capacity development, and embedding climate resilience into national planning.

Ambassador Black-Layne’s contribution was widely regarded as instrumental in guiding the Virgin Islands as it advances the structure of its new trust fund—ensuring that it aligns with international standards and is positioned to attract sustainable financing for years to come.