Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene has announced Antigua and Barbuda’s strategic initiative to enhance its international diplomatic standing by expanding the United Nations’ institutional footprint within the nation. During Friday’s parliamentary session addressing the 2026 Budget Debate, Minister Greene revealed that the country currently hosts five UN agencies operating from St. John’s, with active efforts underway to attract additional UN entities.
The established UN agencies include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNESCO, UN Women, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO). Minister Greene characterized this multilateral presence as a transformative development for the twin-island nation, emphasizing how these organizations substantially contribute to both national and regional advancement across critical sectors including sustainable development, public health initiatives, gender equality programs, and educational enhancement.
Minister Greene has formally directed UN Resident Coordinator Andrea Andrews to actively pursue the establishment of additional UN agencies within Antigua and Barbuda’s jurisdiction. “I have given explicit instructions to the Resident Coordinator to attract more UN agencies to Antigua and Barbuda,” Greene stated during his parliamentary address.
The minister articulated that broadening the UN’s operational presence would significantly elevate Antigua and Barbuda’s global profile while solidifying its position as a central hub for multilateral diplomacy within the Caribbean region. This strategic move aligns with the government’s broader foreign policy objectives of enhancing international cooperation and strengthening the nation’s role in global governance structures.