Agreement to further understanding of its benefits

The 25th meeting of the British Irish Council has considered a paper on Natural Capital and Resources.

The meeting - held at Lancaster House in London - was hosted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP.

Along with Chief Minister Allan Bell .  .the Heads of Administration and Ministers from the eight BIC Member Administrations: the Irish Government; the devolved administrations of the Scottish and Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland Executive; and the Governments of Guernsey, Jersey were in attendance.

The Council considered a paper prepared by the BIC Environment work sector which focused on Natural Capital and resources, including a case study on pollinators. It affirmed the importance of collaboration on this matter, and agreed to work together to further their collective understanding of Natural Capital and its benefits.

Other issues under discussion included economic development across Member Administrations and the latest data on youth employment.

It was also agreed that two subgroups within the BIC Energy workstream would merge.