“Antigua and Barbuda is continuing to build resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Triple Crisis, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable and accelerating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”

 The Barbados-based United Nations Resident Coordinator Office is the body making that claim.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance, in collaboration with the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, hosted a panel discussion on Friday, to explore effective policy solutions to enhance future resilience. 

The high-level panel included representatives from the Resident Coordinator’s Office, development partners, and members of the international community including representatives from the Ministry of Social Transformation, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, said the link between resilience and vulnerability is unique,

“Resilience is the opposite side of the vulnerability coin; we cannot speak of resilience without addressing the vulnerability of SIDS, which cannot be understated. We must redouble our efforts to build resilience and protect the most vulnerable…. Antigua and Barbuda as part of its quest to build resilience is on a mission to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said 

Browne said The SDGs represent a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, “and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. It aims to transform our world and no one must be left behind.” 

Meanwhile, Didier Trebucq, the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said building resilience was critical to the survival of Caribbean SIDS. 

“With the climate crisis hitting the region, the task of building resilience is critical,” he said. “The passage of tropical storm Brett yesterday was just another reminder. SIDS remains exposed to climate change-related disasters, volatile food and energy markets, and unfortunately declining official development assistance…Rest assured that the UN stands committed to Antigua and Barbuda to build resilience,” Trebucq said.

Adding, “This is at the core of our cooperation agenda for Caribbean SIDS. But if we are to be successful, strong partnerships are critical. Today’s panel discussion provides, in my view, a great opportunity for meaningful conversation on how we can strengthen our collaboration in practical ways…”

Other discussions were centered on the impact and response to the crisis of food, energy, and finance, as well as means to foster economic transformation, promote renewable energy, and strengthen food security.