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  • Overwhelming Turnout for Free Medical Services

    Overwhelming Turnout for Free Medical Services

    On a bright April morning in 2026, crowds began gathering long before the sun crested the horizon in Belize City, all drawn to a rare offering: completely free, comprehensive healthcare hosted at the city’s Civic Center. The four-day outreach, organized by the Belize Union of Seventh-day Adventist Church in partnership with U.S.-based ministry Amazing Facts International, has seen an outpouring of community demand that has already stretched the volunteer clinic to its maximum capacity.

    Hundreds of patients began lining up as early as 6 a.m. on the opening day of the mission, many traveling from outlying communities to access the free services. Esmeralda Moralez, a resident of Gardenia Village who arrived at 6:25 a.m., explained her early arrival reflected the harsh reality of healthcare access in the country. “Medical is expensive here,” she noted, a sentiment shared by many low-income and uninsured Belizeans who have turned to the mission for care they could not otherwise afford.

    The event brings together a combined force of more than 200 international medical volunteers from the United States alongside dozens of local healthcare providers, covering a far wider range of services than most free clinics in the region. From routine general health consultations and basic check-ups to specialized care in dentistry, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, physical therapy, nutrition, and pharmacy services, the mission offers full-cycle care at no cost to patients. For the dental wing alone, the clinic has assembled five dentists and three dental hygienists in a dedicated space at the Civic Center—a scale of free specialized care that Al Powell, president of the Belize Union of Seventh-day Adventist, says is unprecedented for the area.

    “This is just what God is doing for us, opening this avenue,” Powell shared. “We don’t take any credit for it. We just try to facilitate his blessings on our community. We have had a full house since this morning, persons trying to get into the service and we are maxed out to capacity.”

    Clinic director Roger Chene, who leads the Amazing Facts International volunteer team, added that for the participating providers, the mission is more than a community initiative—it is a privilege to share their skills with a community in need. “All of our team members are working professionals, and they are taking time out of their own busy schedules to use their skills and God-given ability to serve the community here in Belize,” Chene explained. “There is no charge for any of the services. We will still be here on Wednesday and Thursday, but we want to encourage everyone to come early, because it is first come, first serve.”

    Dr. Zoraida Powell, health ministry assistant for the Belize Union, who coordinated logistics between the local church and the international volunteer team, outlined the breadth of care on offer. “These are medical doctors, dentists, gynecologists, pediatricians, pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists, ophthalmologists, so all of these people along with some local doctors and dentists,” she said. “We have this health brigade where we can serve the community in Belize.”

    For patients, the long wait in line is a small price to pay for care that would otherwise be out of reach. Joyce Villafranco, a Belize City resident, called the experience life-changing for local residents. “Hundred percent, because it is free,” she said. “You know how Belizeans like free thing.”

    As demand continues to surge beyond organizers’ initial projections, event leaders are urging any residents seeking care to arrive early to secure a spot before the clinic reaches daily capacity. The mission is scheduled to conclude at the end of the fourth day, having brought thousands of Belizeans their first affordable healthcare interaction in years.

  • Are Some Bus Operators Charging Higher Fares Without Approval?

    Are Some Bus Operators Charging Higher Fares Without Approval?

    In Belize, growing anger and uncertainty have gripped the country’s public bus sector as multiple reports emerge of unapproved fare increases being imposed on daily commuters, while independent operators warn they could cease operations within days without urgent government financial support.

    The controversy first came to light when a Belize-based commuter shared their experience with local outlet News Five, confirming they were charged $5 for a standard route between Belmopan and their origin point — a trip that is officially regulated to cost just $4. Under current government pricing rules, only premium express services on the same route are permitted to charge the $5 rate. The passenger provided an official receipt as evidence of the overcharge, and is now joining a growing chorus of riders questioning how some operators are able to charge above the legal price cap despite explicit public statements from transport officials confirming no fare adjustments have been authorized.

    Beyond the immediate frustration of commuters over rising travel costs, the unapproved fare hikes are tied to a deeper, ongoing restructuring of Belize’s bus industry. On Monday, representatives of independent bus operators told News Five they are drafting an open letter to the Office of the Prime Minister, after growing frustrated that the Ministry of Transport has failed to address their mounting financial pressures. Operators say that without either a government-approved fare increase or targeted financial relief, many small independent companies will be forced to give up their independent status and join the newly launched National Bus Company (NBC), a state-aligned entity established to restructure the sector.

    Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh has publicly responded to the operators’ demands, clarifying that while independent operators retain full constitutional right to request a meeting with the Prime Minister and raise their concerns, his ministry does not have the authority to grant exemptions from goods and services tax or issue emergency subsidies to struggling independent operators. He also pushed back against claims that the NBC is a tool for forced nationalization of the bus sector, noting that when the new entity was established, all independent operators were extended an invitation to join and access perks including free operational audits. To date, 19 operators have accepted the invitation, while dozens more chose to retain their independent status. “This is not a forced nationalization,” Zabaneh emphasized in his statement. “If operators say they can stand on their own, we respect that position entirely.”

    Despite the minister’s reassurance, the Independent Bus Operators Association has issued an urgent warning that many of its member companies do not have the working capital to continue operating beyond the end of this week if no government support is forthcoming. The crisis has left both commuters and small operators in limbo: riders face unplanned cost increases for essential travel, while independent operators face an impossible choice between breaking government fare rules or shutting down their businesses entirely.

  • Trans Guyana Airways plane badly damaged after hitting a ‘watrash’ rodent on landing at Ogle

    Trans Guyana Airways plane badly damaged after hitting a ‘watrash’ rodent on landing at Ogle

    On the evening of Tuesday, 14 April 2026, a commercial passenger plane operated by Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) sustained significant damage after colliding with a herd of capybaras while landing at Eugene F. Correia ‘Ogle’ International Airport near Georgetown, Guyana. Remarkably, all 12 passengers and two crew members on board escaped the incident without injury, airline representatives confirmed.

    The aircraft, a Beechcraft model registered as 8R-GAQ, was completing a scheduled inbound flight from Suriname when the collision occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time, TGA spokesperson Christopher “Kit” Nascimento told local media outlet Demerara Waves Online News.

    “Immediately after touchdown, the plane collided with a herd of capybaras that had strayed onto the active runway,” Nascimento explained in an official statement. The aircraft’s propeller struck one of the large rodents, which are native to South America and known locally in Guyana as watrash. While the spokesperson could not confirm whether the propeller suffered catastrophic failure, he confirmed the plane’s landing gear (undercarriage) sustained severe damage in the impact.

    Following the collision, the aircraft’s engines were shut down and the plane was moved off the active runway to clear air traffic operations. An anonymous source familiar with the incident added that the pilot took quick evasive action immediately after spotting the herd, a maneuver that likely prevented a far more catastrophic accident that could have resulted in fatalities.

    Nascimento highlighted that the incident stems from a growing wildlife hazard problem that has plagued the airport in recent months, linked to ongoing major road construction works surrounding the airfield. He noted that large wild species including capybaras and caimans have been driven out of their native habitats by the construction activity, and have become a persistent “plague” that regularly crosses the airport’s runway.

    “Airline and airport teams work continuously to ensure wild animals are cleared from the runway before aircraft receive clearance to land,” Nascimento said. “In this case, the collision occurred after the plane had already touched down, when the capybaras ran into the aircraft’s landing gear.”

    Officials have not yet released details on the cost of repairs to the damaged aircraft, or what long-term measures will be implemented to mitigate the ongoing wildlife hazard at the airport.

  • House passes changes to antiterrorism laws

    House passes changes to antiterrorism laws

    In a unanimous vote held on Tuesday, Saint Lucia’s House of Assembly has thrown its full weight behind sweeping amendments to the island nation’s existing anti-terrorism legislation, a move designed to shore up the country’s legal framework countering extremism and bring domestic regulations in line with global best practices.

    The package of reforms was tabled before parliament by Attorney General Leslie Mondesir, who laid out that the changes target long-standing gaps in the current legal structure and will boost domestic authorities’ capacity to tackle both terrorist activity and its financial networks.

    Addressing legislative members, Mondesir stressed that the updated rules are a critical step to ensure Saint Lucia meets its binding international commitments, most notably the requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) — the global standard-setting body that assesses nations’ efforts to crack down on money laundering and terrorist financing.

    “This piece of legislation will meaningfully bolster Saint Lucia’s capacity to respond to acts of terrorism and the financing that enables these activities, while guaranteeing we align with established international standards,” Mondesir told the chamber.

    He further outlined that previous international assessments had pinpointed critical shortcomings across three core areas: inter-agency coordination, enforcement capabilities, and the speed of responses to suspected threats. The new amendments directly resolve these issues by outlining far clearer operational procedures and codifying more defined institutional responsibilities for all involved government bodies.

    Among the most notable changes is a new mandate for timelier action in investigations into suspected terrorist activity. Specifically, the reforms introduce a provision that requires the Attorney General to advance proposals related to international sanctions regimes within a strict 48-hour window. The legislation also expands the powers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, granting the service explicit authority to freeze suspected terrorist-linked assets when urgent action is required.

    Alva Baptiste, Parliamentary Representative for Laborie, added his voice to cross-party support for the bill, noting that the reforms extend far beyond basic national security. He cautioned that jurisdictions that fail to meet global counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering standards face heightened international scrutiny and far-reaching negative economic consequences.

    “Regions that are labeled as non-compliant have repeatedly faced higher costs for cross-border business activity, as well as lasting reputational damage that hits foreign investment, the tourism sector, and international trade,” Baptiste explained. He also echoed the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, underlining that improved information sharing and clearly demarcated institutional roles will be foundational to successfully rolling out and enforcing the new measures.

  • Filmmaker urges monetisation push as digital creativity booms

    Filmmaker urges monetisation push as digital creativity booms

    Barbados’ digital creative scene has grown dramatically over the past decade, but a veteran local filmmaker who got his start shooting content on an early Nokia mobile phone is sounding the alarm: most of the island nation’s gifted content creators are still working without pay, and meaningful change will require action from advertisers as much as the government.

    Stockton Miller, a successful film creator whose recent credits include the 2022 action-adventure feature *The Barbados Project* (now streaming on Amazon Prime) and 2025 horror film *The Silence After* (released on the U.S.-based Plex platform earlier this year), recently helped lead an Easter filmmaking camp at Bridgetown’s Queen’s Park Steel Shed. The initiative, organized in partnership with the National Cultural Foundation, was designed to nurture new talent by focusing entirely on mobile content creation — a framework Miller calls long overdue.

    Speaking to local outlet Barbados TODAY, Miller explained he jumped at the chance to lead the camp when National Cultural Foundation CEO Carol Roberts first proposed the idea. As someone who launched his career with nothing more than a basic cell phone camera, Miller says the camp’s focus on accessible mobile filmmaking is uniquely suited to new creators in Barbados. “We all have to start somewhere,” he noted, pointing out that he is far from the only Barbadian filmmaker who got his start creating content on a mobile device. “Having children start with a cell phone is a good start. This is a great initiative, not only for the participating students, but for content creation across the entire island.”

    Looking back on the industry’s evolution since he entered the field more than 10 years ago, Miller emphasized how far Barbados’ creative ecosystem has come. When he started creating content around 2012 and 2013, there were very few full-time or hobbyist creators active on the island. Today, the space is unrecognizable: creators are producing everything from small business advertisements and food reviews to travel vlogs, original music videos, and even feature-length films, all from their mobile devices.

    Miller says this boom in output proves the island has an abundance of untapped creative talent, and that communities need to rethink outdated ideas about traditional career paths. “Not everybody is going to be a doctor or a lawyer,” he argued, adding that he is consistently impressed by the quality of content shared by local creators on major platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. “The level of creativity is really high in Barbados, and I’m always excited to see what fellow Bajans are producing.”

    Despite this rapid growth, however, Miller says a critical barrier remains: the vast majority of local creators are unable to turn their online followings and creative work into a sustainable, full-time income. Most are forced to balance content creation with second full- or part-time jobs, because the ecosystem does not yet support consistent monetization for Barbadian creators. While Miller now runs his own production company, Board House Productions, full-time, he says many of his peers do not have that luxury.

    “I’m hoping to see monetization on these social media platforms become a regular thing here in Barbados,” he said. Miller stressed that fixing this gap cannot be shouldered by the government alone. Instead, he says the key shift has to come from local advertisers, who must begin investing in and paying local creators for sponsored content. When that shift happens, he predicts it will unlock a new wave of entrepreneurship across the island, building a more sustainable and inclusive creative economy for all Barbadian creators.

    Miller’s call for collaboration comes as emerging creatives across small island nations face similar challenges of turning growing digital popularity into stable income, making his push for advertiser engagement a test case for other Caribbean creative ecosystems.

  • News 5 Named Semi‑Finalists for UB Investigative Journalism Prize

    News 5 Named Semi‑Finalists for UB Investigative Journalism Prize

    As the fourth iteration of its prestigious annual Investigative Journalism Prize approaches, the University of Belize has unveiled the three shortlisted teams competing for this year’s award, an honor created to highlight impactful reporting that confronts Belize’s most urgent unaddressed public issues.

    Among the semi-finalists is a flagship investigation from News Five, *Stella Maris Child Drowning*, reported by a team of seven journalists led by Paul Lopez. The piece centers on the tragic 2026 drowning death of six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, an autistic student at Belize’s Stella Maris School. Unlike standard accident reporting, the News Five team went far beyond surface-level facts to expose deep-rooted systemic failures and long-overlooked accountability gaps at the institution.

    Through months of on-the-ground reporting, the team uncovered that Gabriel’s death was not the unforeseeable tragedy it was initially framed as. Drawing from exclusive interviews with a sanitation worker who was the last person to see Gabriel before his death, as well as a parent who reported their own child had slipped off campus unnoticed just weeks prior, the investigation revealed repeated prior security breaches, chronic underfunding of campus safety infrastructure, broken perimeter fencing, insufficient on-campus supervision, and unaddressed internal safety concerns that never triggered urgent corrective action. Lopez also cross-referenced witness accounts with surveillance footage to map the full timeline of Gabriel’s final hours, bringing irrefutable clarity to the series of institutional missteps that led to the child’s death.

    The reporting triggered immediate national outrage and sparked urgent public debate across Belize around school safety standards, emergency response protocols, and the collective responsibility to protect vulnerable children with special educational needs. Within weeks of the investigation’s publication, Belize’s Ministry of Education launched a full independent inquiry into the incident, committed public funds to rebuild and secure the Stella Maris campus with updated safety fencing, and announced nationwide structural education reforms designed to improve protections for neurodivergent students.

    The two other shortlisted investigations include *Marine Protected Areas Are Everybody’s Business*, a climate-focused report by Andre Habet and Marco Lopez of *Climate Spotlight*, and *Taken: The Budna Abduction and the Police Cover-Up*, an investigative series from Jules Vasquez, Brian Castillo, and Denver Fairweather of Tropical Vision Ltd.

    All entries were evaluated by an independent panel of regional and international media professionals, drawn from news outlets and institutions across the Caribbean and the United States, to ensure impartial judging.

    The winning team will walk away with a BZ$10,000 cash prize, while the two remaining semi-finalists will each receive BZ$5,000 in recognition of their work. The final results will be revealed during a public awards ceremony hosted on May 2 at the House of Culture in Belize City.

  • Body of ASL pilot extracted from crash site

    Body of ASL pilot extracted from crash site

    On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces completed the challenging mission of recovering the body of Nicaraguan pilot Rider Alberto Castillo from a remote, thickly forested crash site in Guyana’s interior. The remains were airlifted first to the small community of Imbaimadai, then transferred onward to Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara by late Tuesday afternoon, according to sources familiar with the recovery operation.

    The recovery mission came five days after the single-engine Cessna 8R-YAC, operated by domestic Guyanese carrier ASL, lost contact with air traffic controllers and crashed during a flight on the morning of Friday, April 11. After contact was abruptly severed, search teams launched an urgent aerial hunt for the missing aircraft. Searchers eventually spotted the twisted wreckage of the plane tucked in dense, mushroom-shaped jungle on a dangerous sloping ridge, a terrain so rugged that ground access required elite specialized forces.

    When search teams reached the crash site, they found Castillo’s remains in an advanced state of decomposition. In an official statement released Monday, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the country’s civil aviation regulator, confirmed that all evidence at the scene indicates Castillo died instantly when the plane crashed. “Based on the condition and position of the remains at the time of discovery, all indications are that death occurred instantly at the time of the accident,” the statement read.

    Along with recovering the pilot’s remains, the joint recovery team also collected personal documents, private belongings, and other physical evidence from the wreckage. All recovered items will be turned over to investigators to support the ongoing official probe into what caused the crash.

    The GCAA publicly praised the GDF personnel and supporting agencies that carried out the high-risk recovery. “We take this opportunity to commend the men and women of the Guyana Defence Force and all supporting agencies, who continue to carry out this operation with courage, professionalism, and discipline under extremely challenging conditions,” the regulator said.

    ASL, the airline that employed Castillo, has released a heartfelt tribute honoring the former Nicaraguan military pilot, who had served the domestic carrier for eight years. The company described Castillo as a “great employee and friend,” and a “dedicated and valued member of our flight crew.”

    “He was known for his calm nature and his remarkable ability to turn every challenge into something positive. His professionalism, strength, and quiet leadership earned him the respect of everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the statement continued. “Among his colleagues, he was regarded as a genuine, hardworking individual and one of our finest pilots, always delivering with excellence and reliability. He will be profoundly missed by all of us.”

  • Crime crisis demands urgent action, Dems warn

    Crime crisis demands urgent action, Dems warn

    On Tuesday, Barbados’ main opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) ramped up pressure on the ruling government, calling for immediate, accelerated intervention to tackle what the party has labeled a full-blown national crime crisis that has upended public safety across the island nation.

    Corey Greenidge, the DLP’s shadow legal affairs minister, told reporters that incremental policy moves and empty promises have failed to curb the rapid escalation of criminal activity, leaving communities across the country exposed to growing danger. He emphasized that Barbados is now confronting an unavoidable, transformed security reality that cannot be downplayed through vague political rhetoric.

    “What we are witnessing is not just a numerical rise in crime — it is a fundamental shift in the nature of illegal activity, particularly gun-related violence, that has become more targeted, better organized, and increasingly embedded in the everyday spaces where Barbadians live, work, and gather for community events,” Greenidge said.

    To illustrate the scope of the crisis, Greenidge pointed to three high-profile shooting incidents that unfolded across the country in just one week: a fatal shooting in St Lucy, another violent attack in Christ Church that followed the popular Oistins Fish Festival, and a third gun-related incident at a downtown public housing complex that houses between 300 and 400 residents. He warned that once-rare acts of gun violence have now become normalized across Barbadian communities, with annual gun-related homicides now climbing past 50, a threshold that would have been unthinkable in previous years.

    While Greenidge acknowledged that the incumbent government has identified high-crime hotspots and outlined a series of policy proposals — including the creation of a specialized gun court, the reopening of community police outposts, and expanded investment in forensic capabilities — he argued that the government’s overall response remains fragmented, slow-moving, and lacking the urgency the crisis demands. Many of the measures currently being promoted by the administration are not new solutions, he noted: the need for a dedicated gun court, strengthened forensic capacity, and expanded community policing have all been recognized as critical priorities for decades.

    “The question is not whether these are the right policy ideas,” Greenidge said. “The question is why they are still being discussed as future plans, rather than functioning core components of a robust national crime strategy that is already protecting Barbadians.”

    Greenidge stressed that ongoing delays in rolling out these promised measures are directly costing lives. For example, the years-long delay in opening a fully operational national forensic laboratory has undermined the speed and effectiveness of criminal investigations and prosecutions, leaving repeat violent offenders on the streets. He added that identifying a location for the long-promised gun court is only the first step; what Barbadian residents need to see immediately is concrete progress: enabling legislation passed, court systems activated, and urgent hearings held for gun-related cases.

    At its core, Greenidge said the crisis stems from a lack of clear policy direction, inter-agency coordination, and accountability from the ruling government. Drawing on the DLP’s own official Commission on Crime report, he explained that the current crisis cannot be addressed through law enforcement action alone. The report identifies deep systemic weaknesses across the entire national justice system, from persistent court backlogs to chronically under-resourced institutions, all of which have contributed to the growing normalization of gun-fueled crime.

    An effective, long-term response must be coordinated and sustained across all levels of government, Greenidge argued. It should start with intelligence-led policing that specifically targets organized criminal networks and repeat violent offenders, backed by swift legislative reform that delivers on the promised gun court and updates outdated gun control laws. The government must also crack down on the illicit flow of illegal firearms into the country and dramatically strengthen national investigative capacity. Most importantly, lasting change requires long-term prevention strategies that address the root causes of crime: youth vulnerability, widespread substance abuse, unmet mental health needs, community breakdown, and comprehensive education reform, he added.

    Greenidge noted that Barbadians understand crime is a deeply complex social issue that will not be solved overnight. But despite that understanding, he said, residents are fully entitled to demand clear policy direction, urgent action, and visible progress from their leaders. “They are entitled to know that what politicians promise is actually being delivered,” Greenidge said. “And above all, they are entitled to feel safe in their own homes and communities.”

  • Deadline nadert: publieke functionarissen riskeren straf bij niet indienen VIV

    Deadline nadert: publieke functionarissen riskeren straf bij niet indienen VIV

    On April 14, the Dutch Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an urgent reminder to a wide range of public sector officials, urging them to complete their mandatory Income and Assets Declaration (VIV) before the final August 16, 2026 submission deadline. The mandatory filing requirement applies to a broad cohort of public servants, including cabinet ministers, members of parliament, senior civil servants, and other leading officials across all levels of the public sector. As the commission confirmed, a significant share of covered officials have not yet completed and submitted their required declarations.

    ACC chair Ilse Krenten emphasized that the VIV mandate is a core pillar of the Netherlands’ national anti-corruption legislation, designed to entrench transparency and uphold ethical integrity across all branches of public governance. Despite the clear legal requirement for all eligible officials to file, a notable share of those covered have yet to fulfill this obligation. Krenten has issued a stark warning that non-compliance carries far-reaching legal and professional consequences. Criminal prosecution is one of the potential outcomes for officials who fail to submit their declarations on time, carrying a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment and a substantial monetary fine. A conviction for non-compliance would also result in a permanent criminal record.

    Beyond criminal penalties, non-compliant public officials can also face severe administrative and professional repercussions, including formal disciplinary action, blocked future appointments or promotions, and lasting reputational harm for both the individual involved and the public agency they represent. The commission clarified that it does not function as a prosecuting body; instead, its core mandate centers on preventive oversight and monitoring of compliance with anti-corruption rules. Acting from this oversight role, the ACC is urging all required officials to avoid last-minute rushes and complete their submissions well in advance of the deadline.

    For officials who have not yet initiated the filing process, the commission has outlined clear next steps: they are advised to contact a civil-law notary as soon as possible to deposit their completed declaration, then complete the formal registration process with the ACC. With several months remaining before the deadline expires, the commission has reaffirmed that early, timely submission is the only way for public officials to avoid avoidable legal and administrative complications down the line.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s young leaders take centre stage at major global gathering of youth at the United Nations

    Antigua and Barbuda’s young leaders take centre stage at major global gathering of youth at the United Nations

    A historic delegation of young leaders from Antigua and Barbuda has taken center stage at the 2026 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, marking the Caribbean nation’s most robust participation in this landmark global youth gathering. Held from April 14 to 16 at UN Headquarters in New York, this year’s forum centers on a mission-driven theme: advancing transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated collective action to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), building a just and sustainable future for all people worldwide.

    Heading the 8-member delegation is Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Youth Affairs Department, alongside four National Youth Ambassadors — Christal Percival, Amelia Williams, Kristine Louisa, and Shacia Albertine — and two representatives from the National Youth Volunteer Corps: General Secretary Sara Bacchus and Esquire Henry, a former CARICOM Youth Ambassador. This contingent represents the largest group of young leaders Antigua and Barbuda has ever sent to the forum, underscoring the nation’s commitment to centering youth voice in global sustainable development policy.

    In her opening remarks delivered on the forum’s first day, Dr. Samuel framed workforce rejuvenation as a core strategic priority for both national institutions and global multilateral systems. Challenging common misconceptions about the concept, she emphasized that workforce rejuvenation is far more than a routine recruitment cycle. Instead, it is a deliberate, intentional strategy to renew institutional capacity through intentional investment in cognitive diversity. Dr. Samuel clarified that the goal of this approach is not to replace the institutional knowledge and experience of long-tenured staff, but rather to create powerful cross-generational synergy. When the seasoned insight of veteran leaders combines with the creative energy and native digital fluency of young people, she argued, global and national stakeholders dramatically strengthen their ability to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the planet today.

    Dr. Samuel also cautioned against performative youth inclusion, noting that while investing in workforce rejuvenation is a critical step forward, young leaders should not be pushed into senior roles overnight without adequate support. “Sustainable multilateralism can only be built on the foundation of sustainable leadership,” she added. To that end, she stressed the urgent need to equip emerging young leaders with three core pillars of support: quality, accessible education, meaningful hands-on work experience, and values-based mentorship rooted in non-negotiable principles of accountability, resilience, and personal integrity.

    The second day of the forum brings Antigua and Barbuda’s youth leadership to the forefront of Caribbean regional dialogue, with two National Youth Ambassadors set to deliver presentations during the Caribbean Regional Breakout Session. Amelia Williams will address the session’s regional theme, “Empowering Caribbean Youth to Innovate, Unite and Transform: Shaping the Road to 2030,” while Kristine Louisa will dive deep into priorities for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 focused on building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. Esquire Henry, who received a rare second invitation from the United Nations to participate in the ECOSOC Youth Forum, will serve as moderator for the regional breakout session, bringing his past experience in regional youth advocacy to guide collaborative discussion.

    On the forum’s final day, National Youth Ambassador Christal Percival will showcase the concrete progress Antigua and Barbuda has already made domestically to advance the targets laid out in SDG 11, sharing actionable Caribbean-led solutions with global attendees.

    Ahead of the forum’s official proceedings, the full delegation paid a courtesy call to Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Aubrey Webson. During the meeting, Ambassador Webson walked the young delegation through the structure and core mission of the UN system, and urged the emerging leaders to remain consistent, persistent advocates for the unique priorities and challenges of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a bloc of low-lying island nations disproportionately vulnerable to climate change that Antigua and Barbuda has long represented on the global stage.

    Ambassador Webson commended the delegation and Dr. Samuel for their ongoing work across key sustainable development priority areas, including environmental sustainability, public education, public health, youth entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. He also shared personal lessons on building community and institutional resilience, and outlined the critical work of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), which focuses on building connected, climate-resilient communities and strengthening national data collection capacity to better track SDG progress.

    This year’s ECOSOC Youth Forum places targeted emphasis on five of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals: Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). As a leading global platform for youth engagement, the forum brings together young change-makers, UN member state governments, UN system agencies, and civil society and private sector partners to exchange emerging ideas, showcase locally rooted innovative solutions, and deepen meaningful youth participation to accelerate global progress on the SDGs.