Despite well publicised problems on home soil, Guernsey’s most senior politician has been busy representing the island abroad.
The latest British Irish Council meeting was held last week – with a focus on the potential benefits of the creative industries.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez was able to speak with leaders from across the British Isles at the summit, which was held in Wales. Next year’s event is being held in Guernsey.
The President of the Policy & Resources Committee said it is a valuable event to attend and she is looking forward to hosting guests in 2026.
“While I have attended Environment Ministerial meetings of the British-Irish Council in my previous role, it was an honour to represent Guernsey for the first time as a Head of Administration at the 44th British-Irish Council Summit, hosted by the Welsh Government.
“Taking part in the British-Irish Council is an important aspect of Guernsey’s external engagement. It gives us an invaluable opportunity to strengthen connections with Heads of Administration from across Ireland, the UK and the Crown Dependencies, and supports collaboration across a wide range of policy areas. I’m looking forward to welcoming the representatives of these jurisdictions to our island when Guernsey hosts the Summit next year.”
The 2025 summit focused on political developments within BIC Member Administrations and a discussion on the potential of the creative industries, particularly the screen sector, across the member administration.
It was chaired by the First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS with other Welsh Ministers in attendance along with the UK Prime Minister and Chancellor, the Irish Taoiseach, the Northern Ireland First and deputy First Ministers, the First Minister of Scotland, and the Chief Ministers of Jersey and the Isle of Man.
The British Irish Council
The BIC was formed in 1999 as part of the Good Friday Agreement or the Belfast Agreement which had been made the previous year.
The negotiations brought peace to Northern Ireland and one of the institutions created under the Agreement was the British- Irish Council.
It was established to “further promote positive, practical relationships among the people of the islands” and “to provide a forum for consultation and co-operation”.
The formal purpose of the Council is “to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands… the BIC will exchange information, discuss, consult and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the relevant administrations”.
The Council includes members from sovereign governments, devolved institutions and crown dependencies. Membership of the Council comprises representatives of the Irish and British governments and of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, together with representatives of the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.
The Council is the only international forum in which these members all participate. Each jurisdiction acts in accordance with their own democratic procedures and is accountable to their respective elected institutions.