Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr.
Walton Aubrey Webson, is brimming with confidence over the prospect of
Antigua and Barbuda living up to expectations by hosting a successful Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) 4 conference.
Dr. Webson’s comments were made following the latest round of pledging
engagements held in New York last week where the Government of India made a
contribution towards the hosting of the conference of US$300,000.00. That money
is earmarked for specific expenses associated with the conference, according to Dr.
Webson.
“Your presence at the event not only demonstrated your solidarity with Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) but also showed your genuine interest in
addressing our vulnerabilities and building resilience in the face of environmental,
social and economic shocks.
“SIDS4 is a pivotal moment, and your support for Antigua and Barbuda hosting
this important conference has not gone unnoticed. Your participating in the SIDS4
Roundtable helped to create momentum and generate critical awareness of the
issues confronting SIDS,” Dr. Webson wrote in a ‘thank you’ letter to the Indian
Permanent Representative Mrs Ruchira Kamboj.
Coming out of last week’s Roundtable, Ambassador Webson said he is now
‘feeling very good’ as things are now happening. “Everything is shaping up for a
very good conference and I now feel the momentum is with us and we are moving
forward to what is shaping up to be a successful engagement from May 27-30 here
in Antigua and Barbuda,” he stated.
Prior to the Roundtable, Dr. Webson said there were two areas of particular
concern for him; these are accommodation and volunteerism. However, following
the meeting on February 15 at the American University of Antigua campus (venue
for the conference) for persons interested in volunteering for the conference, he is
no longer concerned as hundreds turned up for the meeting.
On the issue of accommodation, the permanent representative said that too is
shaping up. “We will have a cruise ship in port to help with hosting the thousands
of delegates who will attend the conference. I am not in a position to say much at
this time as they negotiations have reached a critical point,” he added. The cruise
ship to be leased is expected to be able to accommodate 1600-2000 persons.
On the question of transportation, he said the Antigua and Barbuda Transportation
Board has this under control as it will be working with the country’s bus and taxi
associations to transport delegates to and from the port as well as from the hotels
and other areas of accommodation.
