Prime Minister Gaston Browne has been holding a series of bilateral discussions with world leaders on the margins of COP27 in Egypt.
On Tuesday, the prime minister met with his Belgian counterpart, Alexander De Croo, to discuss building a closer relationship with a view to partnering to address the climate crises.
 PM Browne thanked Belgium for its support of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) at a high-level meeting that was co-hosted by both countries and held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2019.
Belgium has also provided financial support to Antigua and Barbdua and other SIDS in support of efforts to combat climate change and its impact on small nations.
The leaders further pledged to work harder on the issue of loss and damage against the backdrop of Belgium’s recent announcement that it will provide funding for loss and damage.
During their talks, Prime Minister Browne raised the issue of technical and financial support for the 4th UN international conference for SIDS that will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda in 2024.
Prime Minister De Croo offered his country’s unwavering support for Antigua and Barbuda ahead of the conference and indicated that Belgium will provide any assistance needed to make the conference a success.
On Monday, the Antiguan and Barbudan leader held bilateral discussions with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro in which ALBA and Petro-Caribe featured prominently.
A day later Tuesday evening, PM Browne held bilateral discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and various AOSIS heads.
