标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda has achieved a significant milestone in global recognition, securing the 54th position out of 197 countries in the CEOWORLD Magazine Global Nations Reputation Index 2026, released on October 26. This prestigious annual index evaluates nations based on a comprehensive 50-attribute model, assessing perception and performance across ten critical dimensions, including ethics, governance, innovation, quality of life, sustainability, and social cohesion. With a reputation score of 76.65, the twin-island nation has surpassed many larger and more developed countries, highlighting its growing international stature. Within the Caribbean region, Antigua and Barbuda outperformed Saint Kitts and Nevis (55th), Trinidad and Tobago (62nd), and Saint Lucia (70th), reflecting its rising respect for governance, stability, and cultural identity. The report underscores that national reputation has become a pivotal factor in determining a country’s competitiveness, influencing foreign investment, tourism, trade, and diplomatic relations. CEOWORLD emphasizes that reputation now serves as a measurable and strategic determinant of competitiveness, influence, and prosperity, effectively acting as a global ‘trust index.’ Singapore claimed the top spot in the 2026 rankings, lauded for its consistent governance, innovation, and environmental stewardship. European nations, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the Nordic states, dominated the upper echelons of the index, praised for their integrity, equality, and high-quality governance. The report highlights that countries with robust reputational scores benefit from increased foreign investment, currency stability, and enhanced diplomatic influence, translating directly into economic growth and global engagement. Antigua and Barbuda’s ranking is a testament to its ongoing efforts to bolster its international profile through effective governance, sustainable development, and social cohesion. This achievement reinforces the nation’s growing influence in the Caribbean and its commitment to maintaining a trustworthy and respected image on the global stage.

A high-level delegation from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), including representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, recently concluded a three-day visit to Andalucía, Spain. The trip, held from October 22 to 24, was part of the EU-CaN: Nurturing Futures Together project, an initiative funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the Foundation for the Internationalisation of Public Administrations (FIAP). The project aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between European and Caribbean regions to enhance sustainable agri-food systems, rural development, and the inclusion of women and youth in agriculture. During their visit, the delegation explored key agricultural sites in the Axarquía area of Malaga province, including a subtropical fruit company in Vélez-Málaga, the Monte Faco vineyard, and the village of Moclinejo. They also engaged with local mayors and sampled regional cuisine. Manuel Gómez, Secretary General for Agriculture of the Andalusian regional government, emphasized the region’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in agriculture, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in achieving food security and rural revitalization. The delegation’s itinerary also included stops in Cádiz, Seville, and Madrid, further strengthening ties between Spain and the Eastern Caribbean in their shared pursuit of sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth.

In an unprecedented move, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters were compelled to cut short their reconnaissance mission on Monday as Hurricane Melissa unleashed ferocious winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The aircraft encountered severe turbulence in the storm’s southwestern eyewall, prompting the rare decision to abort the mission. Melissa, now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, is on a collision course with Jamaica, raising alarms across the Caribbean region. Forecasters predict the storm will approach or directly hit Jamaica late Monday night or early Tuesday, October 28–29, before traversing eastern Cuba and heading toward the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos by Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that hurricane-force winds extend nearly 195 miles from the storm’s center, with Melissa’s sluggish 3 mph forward motion expected to prolong devastating conditions, including destructive winds, flash flooding, and landslides. Even before making landfall, Melissa has already claimed lives in Jamaica, with at least three fatalities reported. Among the victims was a healthcare worker in St Elizabeth, tragically killed by a falling tree during storm preparations. Jamaican authorities have issued urgent warnings, urging residents to remain in safe shelters as catastrophic flooding and landslides loom. The NHC emphasized that whether Melissa strikes as a Category 4 or 5 hurricane, the impact will be equally devastating, with both categories capable of causing catastrophic wind damage. As the storm continues its menacing path, the Caribbean braces for days of destruction and peril.