The new Australian High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Sonya Koppe,
paid separate courtesy calls on Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Foreign Affairs
Minister, E.P. Chet Greene, on Thursday.
During a brief discussion on the new Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index, the
new method to gauge a country’s economic vulnerability regardless of what its
Gross National Income may indicate, the High Commissioner said her country has
concerns about what is happening in many Small Island Developing States (SIDS),
particularly those in the Pacific.
“One of the things we are concerned about, is the lack of good paying jobs in the
SIDS particularly in the Pacific and we are wondering if that is the same here in
the Caribbean?’ she queried.
High Commissioner Koppe said Australia would like to see the MVI adopted by
the end of the year with mechanisms for it to change, as conditions change. “We
see it as an instrument that can be fluid and can be changed over time. We don’t
want it set in concrete because if it is set in concrete it will not do what it is
supposed to do. We see it as a dynamic instrument.”
PM Browne agreed with the High Commissioner’s comments noting that the MVI,
when adopted, will address her concerns.
The PM welcomed and hoped that she would utilize her office to deepen and
strengthen the existing relations between our two countries. “It’s a living document
and future iterations will address those situations. One of the outcomes we planned
for the SIDS conference in Antigua and Barbuda next year, is the development of a
Centre of Excellence that will focus on the collection of data, reliable data. We are
thinking of establishing data hubs and these will help build capacity and deal with
the issue of high-paying jobs for our people,” he declared.
PM Browne noted that several areas of cooperation can be further explored
bilaterally, particularly in investment and trade, and further noted that Australia has
also been an integral partner with CARICOM, exhibiting their commitment to
collaborate on various issues, such as those related to climate change.
During her courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Minister Greene, both engaged in a
brief discussion on cricket during which Minister Greene noted that “sports is a
pivotal area that cements people-to-people exchanges between our countries.”
He also thanked the Australian government for its role in the ongoing MVI
initiative.
