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UKOTA meets on a regular basis to discuss and exchange ideas on issues of common interest. The members of UKOTA are represented at meetings by their UK based Representatives.
The UK Representatives of UKOTA members are:
Anguilla – Mr. Robert Williams
Bermuda – Mr. Marc Telemaque
British Virgin Islands – Miss Dawn Smith
Cayman Islands - Mrs. Jennifer Dilbert MBE
Falkland Islands – Ms. Sukey Cameron MBE
Gibraltar – Mr. Albert Poggio OBE
Montserrat – Mrs. Janice Panton MBE
Pitcairn – Mr. Leslie Jaques OBE
St Helena – Mrs. Kedell Worboys
Turks & Caicos Islands – Ms. Tracy Knight
UKOTA also hosts meetings with speakers on matters relevant to the Overseas Territories. Previous attendees have included representatives of the European Commission, relevant think-tanks
and academics and representatives of UK Government departments. The organisation has developed a sound reputation for careful and considered thought and is respected by those with whom
it comes into regular contact.
The Formation of UKOTA
UKOTA was previously known as the Dependent Territories Association (‘DTA’) and was formed following the first Dependent Territories Conference in 1993. The Conference ‘Dependent Territories
– Progress through Partnership’ was co-sponsored by the Government of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, with the Cayman Islands Government forming part of the steering group that oversaw the
organisation of the conference.
The Conference provided an opportunity to look at Overseas Territories and the relationship between them and the UK. The delegates examined a wide range
of topics that are of critical importance to Overseas Territories, including constitutional status, the relevance of the idea of nationhood, political stability and the promotion of economic
growth. Representatives of all the UK territories attended, as did representatives from Dutch, French and Australian Territories.
Following the Conference, the Territories decided to form
the DTA and all identified a UK representative to sit on the association on their behalf.
In February 1998 a second successful conference was organised, ‘The Dependent Territories in the 21st Century’. Over 300 people attended the Conference, including senior delegates from all the UK’s
Territories, a significant presence from Whitehall and the British Parliament and a large number of journalists with camera crews from as far afield as China and Mexico.
As with the first conference, the Foreign Secretary gave the keynote speech. The Rt. Hon. Robin Cook MP took the opportunity to announce that the conclusions of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office review of the Overseas
Territories would be presented in a White Paper, which was published in March 1999.
The Association changed it’s name to UKOTA following HMG’s decision to rename the Territories from Dependent
Territories to Overseas Territories.
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About Us > The Association
