Prime Minister Gaston Browne has spoken about the importance of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MIV) to international financial institutions, during talks in Brussels.

PM Browne completed his first round of meetings and engagements at the III EU-CELAC Summit in Brussels yesterday, while he addressed the session during the EU-Caribbean Leaders‘ meeting.

The MIV is being developed by a UN High-Level Panel being co-chaired by the former Prime Minister of Norway Elna Solberg and PM Browne.

Browne said MIV has the potential to unlock billions in development financing for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other disadvantaged groups of countries.

He also used the opportunity to urge all states present at the Summit to support the MVI when it is presented to the UN General Assembly in September.

“I am very pleased to see the EU-CELAC Summit get back on track and resume after an absence of eight years, said PM Browne and I am especially delighted to see one of our Caricom and OECS leaders in the person of the veteran Caribbean politician Ralph Gonsalves preside over the proceedings and guide the direction of this important engagement”, Browne said

Both official engagements and private meetings with investors occupied PM Browne’s time at the Summit.

The forum brought together the leaders of all the countries of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event was attended by the likes of the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who led the EU delegations and addressed the opening ceremony.

Also present were Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez.

While in Brussels PM Browne also held meetings with two private sector investment teams that had an interest in investing in Antigua and Barbuda.