At the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) currently unfolding in Antalya, Türkiye, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne recently held a pivotal strategy session with the full cohort of his nation’s official delegation assembled for the global climate summit. The cross-sector delegation brings together a diverse roster of senior government representatives spanning diplomatic, technical, legal, and public health portfolios: His Excellency Theon Ali, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to Qatar and Deputy Ambassador to the UAE; Her Excellency Ruleta Camacho Thomas, Climate Ambassador and Acting Director of the Department of Environment; Department of Environment staff Arry Simon, Garth Simon, and Gita Nicholas; Zachary Phillips from the Ministry of Legal Affairs; and J’noure Smith-Kellman representing the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs. The high-level meeting underscores the Caribbean nation’s deliberate focus on breaking down silos between diplomatic, technical, and policy teams to present a unified, coordinated front as it pushes for its core national priorities on the global climate stage. Classified as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Antigua and Barbuda has long been a vocal advocate for systemic global climate action that addresses the disproportionate vulnerability of low-lying island nations, including expanded, unimpeded access to dedicated climate financing, binding cross-border collaborative frameworks, scaled investment in domestic climate resilience infrastructure, and tangible, enforceable global emissions reduction commitments to curb the worst impacts of rising global temperatures. After Prime Minister Browne concludes his engagements in Türkiye and departs the summit, the Honourable Michael Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister for Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, will step in to join the national delegation for the summit’s high-stakes ministerial negotiation phase. Minister Joseph is slated to participate in top-tier closed-door climate policy discussions, and will take on two critical regional leadership roles at the summit: he will lead the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc’s negotiations on climate science frameworks, and will serve as co-lead of the regional body’s high-priority Climate Finance portfolio, working in partnership with counterparts from Barbados and Belize to advance shared regional demands.
Prime Minister Browne Meets Antigua and Barbuda’s Climate Delegation at COP31 in Türkiye
