Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, E.P Chet Greene, wants Small
Island Developing States SIDS) to ‘fully embrace’ the conference document that
will emerge from this week’s SIDS4, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for
SIDS.
In delivering the country statement at the plenary session at the SIDS4 conference
at the American University of Antigua conference centre on Monday, Greene
recalled that similar documents from the previous conferences were launched with
‘great hope and promise’. “They aimed to address the unique challenges faced by
SIDS, from environmental vulnerabilities to economic hardships,” he noted.
The foreign affairs minister however observed that despite the best intentions,
SIDS were not successful in achieving the sustainable change they needed.
“These failures underscore a crucial point: incremental prescriptions for SIDS are
no longer enough. We need a transformative shift in approach if we are to secure
the future of our islands. We need to fully embrace the Antigua and Barbuda
Agenda for SIDS – “The ABAS”,” he urged.
The minister sees the ABAS as a chance to break the cycle of unmet promises and
make real, tangible progress. “The ABAS is different, it is effective, actionable,
and transformative. It aims to ensure that we can “Chart the Course Towards
Resilient Prosperity” within a decade.
“This means building infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts,
diversifying our economies to reduce vulnerability, finding sustainable ways to
manage our debt and improving healthcare systems to better handle pandemics,”
he remarked.
He called for urgent action as the situation cannot be overstated, noting that in a
few years’ time, many islands may simple no longer exist. “This is not a distant
threat; it is a looming reality,” warned.
He drew attention to the reality that SIDS lie at the forefront of climate change and
their survival is intrinsically linked to the survival of the global environment. “If
we allow our islands to disappear, we are not just losing land; we are losing a part
of our collective humanity. This is a call to action, a plea for immediate and
decisive measures.
“We need a reset, and we need it now. The resilience of SIDS cannot be built on
outdated frameworks and half-hearted measures. We need a new approach that
fully recognizes the unique and increased vulnerabilities of SIDS,” he emphasized.
