Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda delivered a compelling address at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the critical role of small island states as custodians of the ocean. He called for immediate global action to safeguard marine ecosystems, combat pollution, and expand opportunities within the blue economy. Browne underscored the ocean’s significance to island nations, stating, “For islands like mine, the ocean is not scenery—it is sustenance, it is survival, it is our future.” He highlighted the alarming degradation of marine environments, including coral reef bleaching, mangrove loss, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing, which threaten the livelihoods of coastal communities. Browne outlined a four-point action plan, urging enhanced support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to secure maritime boundaries, the adoption of a robust global plastics treaty, increased financing for carbon-sequestering coastal ecosystems, and the provision of satellite monitoring to protect Exclusive Economic Zones. Additionally, he advocated for a moratorium on seabed mining until independent scientific research confirms its safety, warning against irreversible damage to the ocean floor. Browne invited international partners to collaborate on ocean stewardship, balancing conservation with sustainable economic growth for island nations.
Antigua and Barbuda Champions Ocean Protection and Moratorium on Seabed Mining
