Prime Minister Gaston Browne has renewed calls for stronger international climate action and improved access to affordable financing for vulnerable countries, warning that delays in addressing climate change could threaten the survival, livelihoods and cultural heritage of small island states.
Browne made the appeal while participating in the Global Citizen NOW Summit in Perth, Australia, on October 20. During a discussion focused on the consequences of failing to address major global challenges, he argued that international climate commitments must be supported by practical funding, clear implementation plans and accountability.
The Prime Minister’s intervention comes as Caribbean countries continue to face significant exposure to hurricanes, rising sea levels and other climate-related threats.
Small island states contribute relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions but often experience substantial economic and social consequences when natural disasters occur.
Browne pointed to the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 as an example of the risks confronting Antigua and Barbuda.
The hurricane severely damaged Barbuda, affecting approximately 95 per cent of its properties and forcing the evacuation of the island’s entire population.
Recovery requirements were estimated at US$222 million, representing approximately 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.
The scale of the destruction demonstrated how a single extreme weather event can place enormous pressure on a small economy, affecting homes, public infrastructure, businesses and essential services.
Browne argued that the international community must recognise the unequal burden faced by countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change despite contributing relatively little to the problem.
He maintained that financial assistance following disasters, although necessary, cannot fully compensate for the loss of lives, the displacement of communities or damage to ancestral lands and cultural heritage.
The Prime Minister therefore called for international assistance to be made available before disasters strike, allowing vulnerable countries to invest in resilient infrastructure and reduce the damage caused by future emergencies.
He also questioned whether traditional approaches to determining eligibility for development financing adequately reflect the circumstances of small island developing states.
Countries are often assessed using national income indicators, but Browne argued that income alone does not capture their exposure to hurricanes, rising seas and external economic shocks.
He advocated greater use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index when international institutions make decisions about concessional financing, debt relief and development assistance.
Such an approach would give greater consideration to a country’s vulnerability and capacity to withstand economic and environmental shocks.
Browne also highlighted the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, adopted in 2024, as an important framework for advancing the interests of vulnerable countries.
However, he stressed the importance of turning international agreements and diplomatic progress into practical improvements for communities.
He called for stronger reductions in emissions, greater investment in renewable energy and more affordable financing for infrastructure capable of withstanding climate-related disasters.
The Prime Minister also referred to international legal developments involving the responsibilities of states in relation to climate change and the marine environment. He argued that diplomatic and legal advances must be translated into concrete action.
Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from November 1 to 4, 2026. Browne indicated that the gathering would provide an important opportunity to advance issues affecting vulnerable countries.
As incoming Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, he identified affordable financing, renewable energy, electrification, expanded trade and opportunities for young people among his priorities.
He also highlighted the potential for Commonwealth countries to work together to influence international decisions on climate finance, debt and sustainable development.
Browne acknowledged the climate advocacy of King Charles III and expressed his intention to work with the monarch, Commonwealth leaders and international partners to mobilise investment.
Looking ahead to the United Nations climate conference COP31, he urged Australia, Türkiye and the wider international community to produce concrete results and renew efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
For Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean territories, the issue is particularly important because the region’s economies, infrastructure and coastal communities are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Greater access to financing could help governments strengthen public infrastructure, improve disaster preparedness, expand renewable energy and protect communities against future storms.
Browne’s message was that international climate promises must be matched by the resources and action required to protect vulnerable populations.
As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to welcome Commonwealth leaders, the government is seeking to ensure that the concerns of small island states receive greater attention in international discussions about climate change, economic resilience and sustainable development.
