Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, has thrown his full support behind the CELAC-India Forum, describing it as a critical platform for South-South cooperation and a blueprint for reshaping global diplomacy in the 21st century.
Delivering his statement on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Greene framed the Forum as a timely response to mounting global challenges, including economic instability, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and the escalating climate crisis. He argued that the partnership between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and India demonstrates that middle and emerging powers can play a decisive role in shaping international governance.
“In a world facing complex challenges, this partnership stands as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of dialogue over discord and cooperation over conflict,” Greene said. “Our collective future depends not on going it alone, but on moving forward together.”
The Minister emphasized the strategic significance of holding the meeting at the height of the UNGA, calling it “deliberate and impactful.” He said the initiative signals a pragmatic approach to diplomacy at a time when the UN Security Council is widely seen as struggling to address contemporary crises effectively. Rather than abandoning multilateralism, Greene noted, the Forum seeks to revitalize it through “flexible, results-oriented partnership structures.”
Greene also highlighted the Forum’s role in what he called “multi-alignment” — a practical strategy for nations seeking cooperation on urgent issues such as climate change, technology transfer, and food security, without being drawn into the rivalries of larger powers. For CELAC’s 33 nations and a rising India, he said, the partnership offers a way to pursue shared priorities while maintaining strategic autonomy.
From an economic perspective, Greene pointed to growing opportunities for investment, infrastructure, and trade. He said India’s robust economy and technological expertise complement CELAC’s diverse resources, agricultural capacity, and expanding markets, making the Forum a “high-level platform to accelerate economic partnerships.”
“The timing of this meeting captures a moment of global transition where traditional alliances are being reassessed and new centers of gravity are emerging,” Greene explained. “The CELAC-India Forum positions itself as a crucial and forward-looking axis for South-South cooperation, offering a pragmatic and hopeful model for 21st-century diplomacy.”
Greene closed by reiterating Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to the Forum, framing it as more than just another international gathering. Instead, he said, it reflects a deliberate move toward a more equitable global order — one shaped not solely by major powers, but by coalitions of nations willing to act collaboratively in pursuit of peace, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
