In a compelling address to the United Nations General Assembly, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne called for an immediate halt to seabed mining, emphasizing the need for scientific validation to ensure no serious harm is inflicted on marine ecosystems. Browne highlighted the critical role oceans play in the survival and development of small island nations, stating, ‘For islands like mine, the ocean is not scenery. It is the source of food, jobs, and opportunities for growth and development.’ He urged global leaders to prioritize ocean protection, citing threats such as illegal fishing, plastic pollution, and environmental degradation. Browne also advocated for stronger international cooperation, including the expansion of blue carbon finance and the establishment of robust global treaties on plastics and fossil fuels. He concluded by linking Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts with Vanuatu’s in seeking legal clarity on climate obligations, framing ocean defense as both an environmental and legal imperative.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Calls for Moratorium on Seabed Mining
