Antigua and Barbuda leads a special appeal for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at a UK meeting, as
it prepares to host a major gathering of island nations in 2024. Antigua and Barbuda has made yet
another compelling case for the small and vulnerable states across the globe who grapple constantly
with the climate crisis and other external economic shocks, to be given a fair chance to survive.
The appeal was underscored by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, E.P Chet Greene as he
addressed a major gathering of leaders and thinkers attending a conference, themed “Small Island
Developing States – Improving Finance for Resilience by 2024,” in the United Kingdom. Joining Minister
Greene at the conference were Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
Ambassador Walton Webson, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Tumasie
Blair.
The meeting was convened by Wilton Park, which is an executive agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office of the United Kingdom. As part of its mission, Wilton Park seeks to bring
together experts, policymakers, and decision-makers to solve complex global issues, such as what is
being faced by Antigua and Barbuda and other small island states.
The case has long been made that these nations are limited by their geophysical and socioeconomic
characteristics to respond to the impact and consequences of disastrous climatic events and other
global economic shocks, promptly and effectively.
“Limited natural capital makes us over-dependent on imports, especially of food and energy, and our
heavy reliance on a single economic sector – usually tourism – makes us especially prone to supply chain
disruptions and other external shocks,” Minister Greene told the conference.
“Surely, we cannot fight these battles alone. We do not cause nor contribute to global shocks or the
climate crisis in any meaningful way,” Minister Greene stated, in building and reinforcing the case for
additional and targeted support for small states. In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda will play host to the 4th
SIDS Conference, a global initiative that will re-sharpen the focus on the unique vulnerabilities of small
states and invigorate the drive to devise the necessary solutions, geared at ensuring their survival and
continued sustainable development.
It is for this very reason that the UK meeting was crucial in attracting and building support for what will
be a major undertaking for Antigua and Barbuda as the host country. In the long term, Minister Greene,
expects SIDS4 will be “a conference of change, a conference that will produce strong deliverables for
SIDS.” “You see friends of SIDS, our vision for SIDS4 is targeted. It calls for scaling up of activities and
ensuring the necessary financial resources and commitments are made,” Minister Greene appealed.
Menu
Menu
