The Government of the Virgin Islands hosted a series of high-level climate finance side events at COP30 (November 13–14, 2025), in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. The sessions showcased the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF), a newly established, independent national mechanism designed to mobilize, manage, and distribute climate finance for climate adaptation and mitigation in line with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The VICCTF aims to support resilience across sectors such as the environment, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, health, infrastructure, water, settlements, and energy. As the Virgin Islands cannot access major global climate funds like the Green Climate Fund, the Trust Fund represents a critical pathway for securing long-term climate financing.
Speakers described the Fund as a transformative development for the territory and a model for other non-independent Caribbean jurisdictions. OECS Environmental Sustainability Division Head Chamberlain Emmanuel highlighted the importance of clarity, capacity-building partnerships, and regional collaboration. Climate Envoy Dr. Kedrick Pickering emphasised the Virgin Islands’ strong history of environmental stewardship and noted that the environmental levy has already raised over US$5.5 million for the Fund. He called for increased regional and international support to help the territory access global finance. Antigua and Barbuda’s climate ambassador Diann Black-Layne shared practical guidance on building an effective national climate fund, stressing the need for discipline, strong systems, trained staff, and a focused business model. Overall, COP30 participants reaffirmed the urgency of climate finance for small island territories and expressed strong regional support as the Virgin Islands prepares to fully operationalize and launch the VICCTF in 2026.