FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Foreign Affairs Minister seeks out new opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda’s social and economic development
NEW YORK. 24th September, 2024…A series of engagements led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade the Hon EP Chet Greene at the United Nations this week is ensuring that the country gains maximum benefits from its diplomatic ties with countries around the world.
Over the past two days since his arrival in New York for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Greene has been kept busy with a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from countries across the globe.
Yesterday he met with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Dr. Ian Borg of Malta, an island nation in southern Europe, which boasts a well-developed economy, to discuss matters of mutual interests between their two countries.
Minister Greene expressed his profound gratitude to Dr. Borg for his country’s support of Antigua and Barbuda and Prime Minister Browne in getting the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) adopted at the United Nations.
Dr. Borg praised Antigua and Barbuda for hosting a successful SIDS4 Conference and indicated strong interest in providing his country’s support for the establishment of the Centre of Excellence, a major outcome outlined in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).
Yesterday Minister Greene also signed unto documents establishing diplomatic relations with Seychelles, whose economic wealth comes from the tourism industry, similar to Antigua and Barbuda. The signing ceremony was conducted with his counter-part Foreign Minister of the Seychelles, His Excellency Sylvestre Radegonde. Minister Greene believes their shared economic aspirations is a welcome opportunity for Antigua and Barbuda to earn major benefits in achieving further growth in the sector.
During the opening day of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly today, Minister Greene held bilateral discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Rwanda, His Excellency Olivier Nduhungirehe. Both officials committed to building on the strong ties between their two countries. Minister Greene also sought the country’s support and collaboration in improving Antigua and Barbuda’s community health care services and in stemming the rise in youth violence. He also expressed the country’s interest in establishing mutual visa exemption agreements to allow for seamless travel between Rwanda and Antigua and Barbuda.
Minister Greene continues the week with several other high-level engagements as Antigua and Barbuda particates in the most signicant diplomatic event on the United Nations calendar.
