In a significant preparatory move for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, Antigua and Barbuda has commenced specialized security training conducted by the Canadian Armed Forces. The intensive two-week workshop, held at Camp Blizzard, brought together a multidisciplinary team of key national security stakeholders.
Participants included senior representatives from various government ministries, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), the Royal Police Force, and the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP). The comprehensive training program was orchestrated under the strategic oversight of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signaling the high-level importance placed on security preparedness for the international event.
The Canadian military instructors delivered expert training modules designed to enhance coordination, threat assessment capabilities, and emergency response protocols specific to large-scale international gatherings. This collaborative initiative represents a crucial step in Antigua and Barbuda’s roadmap toward hosting a secure and successful CHOGM in 2026, demonstrating the country’s commitment to meeting international security standards for high-profile diplomatic events.
The workshop was characterized by participants as both challenging and transformative, providing essential skills and fostering inter-agency cooperation that will be vital for the nation’s security apparatus during the Commonwealth meeting. This training partnership underscores the continuing bilateral cooperation between Canada and Antigua and Barbuda in matters of regional security and capacity building.