Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, used his first day at the 80th United Nations General Assembly to showcase the country’s achievements as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and push for climate justice.

Speaking to international media, Browne highlighted the challenges SIDS face, including climate finance, adaptation, and governance, while emphasising Antigua and Barbuda’s progress as an example of small nations leading on the global stage.

He reaffirmed the country’s role in creating the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and promoting the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), urging its adoption worldwide to improve access to climate funding.

The event, which brought together world leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups, produced a ten-year plan for sustainable development for island states. Browne stressed Antigua and Barbuda’s dual role as both a vulnerable nation and a driver of international policy.

The country’s organisation of the conference, from high-level dialogues to cultural showcases, drew praise and reinforced its reputation as a reliable partner in global diplomacy.