Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, represented Antigua and Barbuda at the 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), held from March 31 to April 4, 2025, in Santiago.
The weeklong forum brought together regional leaders, policymakers and experts to engage in critical discussions surrounding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Minister Greene was a featured speaker in one of the high-level panel discussions, where he made a compelling case for stronger regional alignment and collaborative action, especially for the Caribbean’s small island developing states (SIDS), which remain highly vulnerable to economic shocks, climate change and social disparities.
Minister Greene welcomed attendees and outlined the pressing relevance of the sustainable development agenda for SIDS like Antigua and Barbuda. He underscored the urgency for targeted action and meaningful dialogue in advancing sustainable development within the Caribbean context, stressing that the challenges faced by the region are not theoretical, they are real, lived experiences that demand practical, inclusive solutions.
“We cannot speak about sustainability without speaking about survival,” Minister Greene said. “For small island states, development is not a choice. it is an imperative for resilience.”
A key focus of the Minister’s remarks centered on the importance of integrating global goals, such as the 2030 Agenda, with national development strategies. He highlighted the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS) as a localized framework that echoes global sustainable development priorities, tailored to the unique needs of the island nation.
Greene pointed to successful alignment efforts in areas such as renewable energy adoption, education reform and healthcare improvement sectors where both international and domestic agendas have converged to generate tangible benefits for citizens.
Minister Greene used the platform to call for stronger collaboration between governments, civil society and the private sector. He emphasized that sustainable development cannot be pursued in isolation and that joint efforts are required to mobilize the resources, expertise and political will needed to drive lasting change.
“From the local farmer to the regional policymaker, everyone has a role to play,” he said, encouraging cross-sectoral and international partnerships to accelerate progress and bridge resource gaps.
Highlighting the necessity of capacity building, Greene championed investment in education and workforce training as a cornerstone of sustainable development. He stressed that a skilled and knowledgeable population is key to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building long-term national resilience.
He advocated for more education programs focused on sustainability, technical training and innovation, noting that empowering youth and underrepresented communities is not just a social good but it’s a strategic imperative.
On the topic of financing, Minister Greene acknowledged the persistent challenges that SIDS face in accessing sustainable funding. He called for the development of innovative financing mechanisms tailored to small economies, including climate financing, public-private partnerships and concessional funding instruments.
He also stressed the continued importance of international cooperation and support from development partners in advancing national and regional sustainable development agendas.
Minister Greene delivered a pointed message on climate change, calling it the most existential threat facing Caribbean nations. He underscored the need to embed climate resilience into every aspect of the sustainable development agenda, from infrastructure to agriculture.
“The Caribbean cannot afford to treat climate action as an isolated issue, it must be integrated into every policy, every program and every partnership,” he declared.
Greene also shared insights into Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to develop early-warning systems, promote climate-smart agriculture and build disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Minister Greene emphasized the critical role of data in tracking sustainable development progress. He advocated for the development of stronger data collection and monitoring systems and the use of technology to enhance evidence-based policymaking.
“The ability to measure impact is key to accountability and progress. We must invest in robust, real-time data systems to tell us where we are and more importantly, where we need to go,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Minister Greene reminded attendees that achieving sustainable development is a shared responsibility. He invited participants to reflect on actionable strategies that could be implemented within their respective sectors to create meaningful and sustained impact.
“We must each ask ourselves: What can I do to advance sustainable development in my sphere of influence? The answers to those questions will shape the future of our region,” he said, prompting thoughtful engagement from the audience.
Minister Greene’s presence at the ECLAC forum reaffirms Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to regional leadership in sustainable development and highlights the country’s proactive approach in shaping global conversations. As the nation continues to align its national development efforts with global frameworks, it positions itself as a determined advocate for the advancement of SIDS in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
