Hon. Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Land, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda, has significantly elevated the nation’s global standing through a series of high-level bilateral meetings. Fresh from his impactful participation at Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, held during India Maritime Week 2025, Minister Smith engaged in strategic discussions with ministers and senior representatives from India, Mauritius, Singapore, the Maldives, Norway, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Liberia. These dialogues focused on strengthening cooperation in sustainable ocean development, sharing best practices, and identifying joint initiatives in research, innovation, and capacity building. A key highlight was his forward-looking exchange with the Prime Minister of India, where discussions centered on enhancing collaboration in maritime education, ocean technology, and Blue Economy policy frameworks. Minister Smith emphasized Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that advance the sustainable use of marine resources, particularly through education, innovation, and youth engagement. He noted that such collaborations are crucial for ensuring equitable growth and ocean resilience among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and beyond. Accompanied by Ms. Marver Woodley, Senior Operations and Policy Manager within the Department of the Blue Economy, Minister Smith’s active participation in bilateral dialogues has reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s position as a rising voice in global ocean governance and a leading advocate for partnership-driven Blue Economy transformation.
Minister Smith Strengthens Global Blue Economy Ties at Indian Maritime Week 2025
