Tristan da Cunha Government News Abroad

Chief Islander welcomes new UK minister

Report and images from Tristan Governemnt UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Tristan's Chief Islander has given a warm welcome to the UK's new minister for the Overseas Territories.

Councillor Ian Lavarello wrote a letter of congratulation when Uma Kumaran MP was appointed to her post within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office team. Then on 5th August 2026 he had the chance to convey his message in person, by video link from the island's Council chamber.

Ian Lavarello taking part in the video-link from the Tristan Council Chamber.

In a call between minister Kumaran and the OTs' elected leaders, Ian said "I send congratulations from across the miles to you on your appointment. I know you have expertise in conservation and climate change - they're both very important parts of our everyday life here on Tristan. We had a destructive storm a couple of weeks ago and we're still only starting to recover. Tristan da Cunha is the world's remotest community. We really value your support, and we were hugely grateful for it during the recent Hantavirus episode. I hope you can deliver on your government's promises to the OTs".

Minister Kumaran was flanked by FCDO officials and to her left by former OTs minister Stephen Doughty.

The minister's reply acknowledged the remarkable response to the recent health emergency in the South Atlantic and underlined her support for conservation, including the Blue Belt programme of ocean protection around the OTs. She pledged to listen to Territories' concerns, and to work jointly with the Territories when UK and OT politicians meet later in the year.

Group shot of all those taking part in the UK Government FCDO Ministers
and Overseas Territory leaders' video call on 5th August 2026.

Chief Islander thanks UK minister for crisis help

Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Tristan Chief Islander Ian Lavarello
taking part in the meeting from the Island Council Chamber

Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander has personally thanked the UK minister for Overseas Territories for his support of the island. Their encounter came in an online meeting between Stephen Doughty MP and the elected Leaders of the UK Territories.

Ian Lavarello thanked the minister for his support in the aftermath of the recent storm that has left a trail of destruction on Tristan. He noted that such events are linked to climate change, and that small islands will need UK help to adapt to its effects.

Stephen Doughty MP Minister for the UK Overseas Territories	Bermuda's Premier David Burt who is current President of the UK Overseas Territories Association.

The minister also praised the local response to 'extraordinary' recent events on Tristan, noting that the Hantavirus episode was 'testament to the resilience of the peoples and teams' of Tristan and other South Atlantic islands.

The meeting, held on 16th July 2026, helped set a course towards the UK and OTs Joint  Ministerial Council, to be held in London in November.

Tristan sea safety prominent at Red Ensign Conference

Report and photos from Tristan Governemnt UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Delegates at the conference venue in Hamilton

A conference of maritime territories, held in Bermuda 29th June - 2nd July 2026, brought a reminder of how small islands can benefit from sharing information and resources to help tackle shared challenges. I represented Tristan da Cunha's Director of Fisheries, Cllr Rodney Green, at the annual gathering of the Red Ensign Group, uniting the maritime authorities of the UK, its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. Tristan has 'coastal State' responsibilities across navigation aids, marine conservation, fishery regulation and marine mapping, and the conference is a chance to learn from others' best practice, to gather contacts and identify sources of help. The week began with a meeting of the South Atlantic Working Group, uniting Tristan with St Helena, Ascension, South Georgia and the Falklands. Inevitably the shipping implications of the recent Hantavirus outbreak were considered, with islands looking to learn lessons in co-operation with cruise operators. I also shared plans for safety checks of the new fishing fleet that will go into Tristan service in 2027, and fellow OTs updated us on their emergency plans and proposals for new regulations.

Chris catching up with Ascension's Operations and Port Manager Kitty George

The main sessions covered a wide range of topics, from wreck management and cyber threats to search-and-rescue drones and the challenge of tackling illegal fishing.

The REG is supported by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who have a special programme that supports sea-safety in the Overseas Territories. The conference week brought a chance to speak with them on Tristan's current needs. They are keen to help.

My report back to the island includes multiple contacts and connections from across the UK's worldwide maritime family.

Bermuda's shipping minister Owen Darrell rings the bell to open the conference,
watched by co-chair Christian Olsen of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

South Atlantic delegates, representing Tristan da Cunha, Ascension, St Helena, the Falklands and South Georgia.