At the IX Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held from April 7 to 9, Antigua and Barbuda made a compelling and passionate call for unity, equity and sovereignty in the face of shared regional challenges. Representing the twin-island nation, the Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, delivered a powerful address on behalf of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who was unable to attend due to pressing domestic obligations.
Minister Greene began by extending warm greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Browne, affirming his unwavering confidence in the outcomes of the summit. The Minister expressed gratitude to the Government and People of Honduras for their exceptional hospitality and organization, calling the gathering a critical moment for regional collaboration.
In his address, Minister Greene emphasized the enduring value of CELAC as a pillar for integration across Latin America and the Caribbean. He praised the institution’s recent focus on areas such as agriculture, energy, food security, women’s empowerment and social development under the stewardship of Honduras, the current Pro-Tempore President.
“As a significant institution that binds the Caribbean and Latin America, with an objective to advance the livelihood and development of our citizens, CELAC today more than ever is needed to further enhance the integration of the region,” Greene stated.
Greene outlined the evolving global context, describing it as an era marked by rapid transformation and unpredictability. With climate change, shifting geopolitical alliances, trade disruptions and migration crises reshaping the international landscape, he stressed the necessity of regional unity to confront these challenges.
Antigua and Barbuda, he noted, remains deeply concerned about the detrimental effects of unilateral coercive measures, including sanctions and tariffs, on member states. These measures, he argued, not only harm individual nations but also weaken the broader social and economic fabric of the Latin American and Caribbean region.
Greene underscored the importance of collective platforms such as CELAC, UNASUR, CARICOM and ALBA, describing them as essential vehicles to “amplify our voices on the international stage.”
By deepening cooperation, particularly in trade and economic policy, he argued, the region can reduce external dependency and build resilience.
Climate change was another major theme in Greene’s address. He warned of the disproportionate impact that climate-related disasters have on the region’s most biodiverse and vulnerable nations. With reference to the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS),” Greene pledged continued support for sustainable development efforts, advocating for inclusive, results-focused programs led by the countries themselves.
“As we move forward, our programmes and projects must be targeted and results-focused,” he said. “We must seek to establish partnerships as equals, upholding values of equity, mutual trust, transparency and accountability over the next ten years.”
Greene highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to helping fellow SIDS achieve “resilient prosperity” through regional leadership and collaboration.
A significant portion of Greene’s speech focused on the defense of national sovereignty and the rejection of foreign interference. Antigua and Barbuda strongly condemned the imposition of unilateral sanctions by the United States on Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Cuba calling these actions violations of international law and human rights.
“We stand in solidarity with the Pluri-national State of Bolivia against destabilizing attempts,” Greene said. He also reaffirmed support for the Cuban people and their contributions to the Caribbean, singling out the Cuban Medical Brigade for its ongoing service in the region.
The issue of reparatory justice also took center stage. Greene passionately reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s call for formal reparations from former colonial powers for the atrocities committed during slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
He endorsed the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, beginning January 1, 2025, as a pivotal opportunity for global action on historical injustices. Furthermore, Greene affirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s support for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), stressing the need to promote and protect indigenous rights throughout the region.
As the world continues to grapple with the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greene turned attention to food security, sovereignty and the vulnerabilities of net food-importing countries like Antigua and Barbuda.
“We must take seriously the issues of food security and food sovereignty,” Greene warned. “It is imperative for CELAC to find ways to improve our fragile supply chain networks.”
He called on CELAC to reaffirm its commitment to agriculture and intraregional trade as a pathway to job creation, reduced inequality and the elimination of hunger by 2030. Institutions like CELAC, ALBA and CARICOM, he emphasized, must take a lead role in orchestrating this fight.
Greene called for a recommitment to shared values of integration, cooperation and mutual respect. He urged leaders to embrace collaboration in trade, education, health and agriculture, positioning the region for a future of sustainable prosperity and global influence.
“Let us continue to strengthen our ties, share our resources and work together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead,” he said. “Together, we can ensure that our voices resonate on the global stage and that our region thrives for generations to come.”
Greene closed his address by reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s full support for CELAC and its mission. His words served not only as a statement of solidarity but also a visionary roadmap for the future of the Caribbean and Latin America united, resilient and resolute.
