FA Minister Greene seeks closer ties with Italy.

The XI Italy Latin America and the Caribbean Conference is underway in Rome, and Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene is among the senior government representatives from the region attending the event.

The conference theme is “Growing Together,” in his opening speech, Minister Greene emphasized the need to strengthen the relations between Italy, Antigua and Barbuda, and other countries in the region.

Given the challenges of climate change, rising living costs, and global security threats, he stressed that this is essential for the survival of their economies and society.

Minister Greene believes that Italy and the Latin American and Caribbean countries should collaborate to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through sustainable economic partnerships.

He highlighted the issue of climate change, which affects Small Island Developing States such as Antigua and Barbuda and Italy, with its substantial coastline. The minister called for a united stance to address climate change, as unchecked, it could have disastrous effects on the planet.

Minister Greene is urging Italy, as a partner in development, to use its position within the EU and on the global stage to advocate for climate action and its effects on SIDS and low-lying coastal areas.

He emphasized that to grow together effectively, we need to care for our environment and work towards its survival. The minister also suggested that education is an area where the Italian people and those from the region could benefit from collaboration.

The Italy Latin America and the Caribbean Conference, which started a few days ago, ends today.