Antigua and Barbuda joined world leaders at the High-Level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI)under the theme “Recommit to Our Original Aspirations, Unite to Build a Brighter Future of Global Development.” The session brought together Heads of State and Government, the UN Representatives, and international organisations to accelerate delivery of the 2030 Agenda. Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne delivered Antigua and Barbuda’s statement during the high-level segment.
Prime Minister Browne said Antigua and Barbuda welcomes China’s decision to assume a more central role in global governance and expects that such leadership will help shape “international rules, institutions, and norms that are fairer, more equitable, and directed toward global peace and shared prosperity.” He urged an end to “senseless wars or useless ideological confrontation,” and appealed for cooperation based on love, peace, unity, and justice, reminding leaders that “we are one human family.”
In his intervention, Prime Minister Browne set out practical areas for cooperation that respond to the needs of developing countries to include eradicating hunger and poverty and close delivery gaps on core goals and mobilise concessional and blended finance to build resilient, growth-enabling assets.
In addition, enabling access to digitalization and AI so small states are not left behind and appreciation for China’s role in catalysing concessional financing and grants, and a call for others nations to follow suit are priority areas for Antigua and Barbuda.
“This is the time to recommit—work together, reduce inequalities, and create opportunities that benefit all people,” the Prime Minister said.
According to the meeting communiqué, participants reached broad consensus to:
- Place development at the heart of the international agenda and uphold multilateralism—including reform of global financial governance to increase developing-country voice.
- Defend openness and rules-based trade, restore a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system, and help developing countries integrate into global value chains.
- Broaden financing channels—with developed countries meeting ODA and climate-finance commitments—and scale technology transfer that matches real needs.
- Advance innovation-driven and green development, cooperate on AI and big data, close the digital/AI divide, and pursue low-carbon growth consistent with the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.
- Strengthen the Group of Friends of the GDI and deepen cooperation with UN development agencies, multilateral development banks, and wider stakeholders.
The meeting featured a High-Level Segment; including addresses by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, followed by statements from Heads of State/Government—with Antigua and Barbuda inscribed—then a Panel Discussion led by senior officials and experts. Guiding questions focused on concrete actions to implement the 2030 Agenda, revitalising development for the Global South, and the role of AI in development.
Antigua and Barbuda affirmed its readiness to work with partners across the UN system to renew and strengthen cooperation under the GDI framework; engage actively with the Group of Friends of the GDI and UN agencies to translate consensus into country-level projects; and pursue partnerships that expand concessional finance, infrastructure investment, and technology transfer (including AI and digitalisation) for small states.
