Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, met with Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, on the sidelines of the Belém Climate Summit, held as part of COP30.
Diong commended Prime Minister Browne for his steadfast advocacy and leadership in championing the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund and for Antigua and Barbuda’s continued role in advancing climate justice for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
During the meeting, Diong provided an update on the Fund’s operational progress, noting that USD 800 million has been pledged to date. He outlined that the Fund will function through three modalities — multilateral development banks (MDBs), direct access entities, and accredited entities under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund (AF) — ensuring flexibility, efficiency, and timely support to vulnerable nations. The Fund’s official launch is scheduled for 15 December 2025, with full activation expected within six months thereafter.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed the update and reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s intention to be among the first applicants for financing, citing the country’s recent experiences with hurricanes, coastal erosion, and other climate-related impacts. He also praised Diong’s leadership and reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment, as a member of the Fund’s Board, to ensuring that resources reach the most affected communities.
The Prime Minister further congratulated Diong on the funds progress and confirmed the country’s readiness to align national systems with its operational framework. He highlighted the forthcoming launch of the Barbuda Implementation Mechanism (BIM), scheduled for 10 November 2025 at COP30, as a pioneering example of locally driven action to address loss and damage.
Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to advancing the full capitalization and effective implementation of the Fund, ensuring that communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis are empowered to recover, rebuild, and thrive.
