Against a backdrop of growing global tensions and calls for more inclusive multilateralism, the small island developing nation of Antigua and Barbuda has marked a significant milestone in its international diplomatic engagement, securing a leading role in one of the United Nations’ most impactful decision-making bodies focused on global peace and security.
This week, Claxton Duberry, First Secretary of Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Mission to the UN, stepped into the chair to lead deliberations of the UN First Committee – a core UN body tasked with addressing some of the most high-stakes challenges the international community faces today. Established to advance global disarmament, regulate international armaments, and coordinate cross-border cooperation to uphold global peace and security, the First Committee’s work shapes the trajectory of international stability for nations large and small.
The appointment is not an isolated milestone. Duberry was already elected Vice President of the Committee for the ongoing 81st session of the UN General Assembly, representing Antigua and Barbuda in the leadership body of the committee. For a small island developing state like Antigua and Barbuda, occupying these leadership roles offers a rare and critical chance to contribute directly to global discussions that carry far-reaching consequences for international security and the future of multilateral collaboration.
In remarks following the session, Duberry framed the moment as a meaningful affirmation of small states’ place in the global multilateral system. “This was an important moment for Antigua and Barbuda as it affirms the importance of our participation in the multilateral system,” Duberry said. “Small states must continue to play a role in shaping discussions and advancing solutions to the prevailing challenges facing the international community today.”
Against a current global landscape marked by rising security concerns that demand consistent, collaborative diplomatic action, Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to engaging actively in international diplomatic fora. The nation intends to continue contributing to open, constructive discussions aimed at developing practical, actionable solutions to shared global challenges, cementing its role as an engaged actor in global peace and security efforts.