Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin has announced that Antigua and Barbuda will ratify the Treaty of San Jose at an upcoming meeting of the country’s parliament.
Sir Steadroy made the announcement during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime Security workshop on the Treaty of San Jose that is being held at the American University of Antigua conference centre on Monday.
The treaty facilities regional cooperation in the suppression of illicit maritime and air trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances throughout the Caribbean Region.
Benjamin further mentioned that the treaty plays a critical role in helping the country to maximize its maritime resources and to forge greater connections and synergies with regional and international partners in assisting the country in protecting its vast ocean space.
Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, Chief of Defense Staff Antigua and Barbuda expressed his support for the development noting that discussions have been ongoing for years and he is pleased that this workshop is being held to finally bring into force the Treaty of San Jose which is critical in directing the path of Maritime protection within the twin island state.
Assistant Director Policy Strategy and Innovation CARICOM IMPACS Callixtus Joseph says though the country may be small in size, it is a large ocean nation, which needs to further capitalize on its Blue Economy, which could offer a broad horizon of benefits and opportunities.
Joseph says, “With a land area of just over 440 square kilometers, Antigua and Barbuda commands a maritime space of more than 110,000 square kilometers—a domain that is 249 times larger than its landmass. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, this vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) grants Antigua and Barbuda sovereign rights over marine resources, including fisheries, energy production, and seabed minerals. This EEZ is not merely a geographic feature—it is an instrument of opportunity and a strategic national asset, central to the country’s sustainable development.”
The Assistant Director, commends Antigua on hosting the workshop and signaling its commitment to the Treaty of San Jose. He added that the treaty is a tool of empowerment and the ratification will further help to protect Maritime from various security threats that have plagued the island and region for years.
He further inputs, “CARICOM IMPACS respectfully encourages the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to take the necessary steps to ratify the San José Treaty. Such a step would: Reinforce the country’s capacity to protect its vast ocean domain; Strengthen the legal foundation for maritime law enforcement operations; Expand the country’s access to shared operational frameworks; And demonstrate a clear commitment to regional security cooperation and ocean governance.”
The Attorney General clarified that the twin island state will lead the way with the ratification of the treaty and will strengthen legislation pertaining to Maritime protection. Sir Steadroy noted that the country acknowledges the importance of the Blue Economy hence the creation of a maritime division and with the further assistance from CARICOM IMPACS will further be equipped with the necessary tools to protect and also advance the Blue Economy.
