Didier Trebucq, the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator based in Barbados

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Antigua and Barbuda has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to multilateralism as the only viable solution to the global challenges we face today.

These remarks were made by Didier Trebucq, the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator based in Barbados, during a flag-raising ceremony held on United Nations Day.

The ceremony also commemorated Antigua and Barbuda’s 42nd anniversary as a member of the UN, which will be observed on November 25.

In his speech, Trebucq highlighted the fruitful partnership that has developed between Antigua and Barbuda and the UN over the past few decades.

He also expressed his commitment to forging even closer partnerships between the two entities to better support national priorities in line with the 2030 agenda and the SDGs.

Trebucq emphasized that resilience-building is at the core of their cooperation agenda, citing it as essential to combating inequality, accelerating progress towards the SDGs, and mitigating the multiple vulnerabilities and threats facing Caribbean SIDS.

He commended Antigua and Barbuda for taking bold steps towards building resilience by focusing on climate adaptation, social protection, and digitalization.

Trebucq recognized the government’s vision in creating a digital economy for Antigua and Barbuda, stating that the UN is currently supporting the development of a Digital Transformation Framework that will form part of a National Digitalization Strategy.

This strategy will be a major accelerator in moving the needle on the SDGs.

In support of these efforts, he announced that the UN has increased its presence in-country by deploying additional human resources to support youth and digitalization initiatives.

He further revealed that Antigua and Barbuda will be one of the first few countries in the world to benefit from the rollout of the “Early Warning Systems for All” initiative of the UN SG, which will further the resilience agenda in the region.

Trebucq also commended Prime Minister Gaston Browne for his advocacy on SIDS’ behalf.

He acknowledged the need for the reconfiguration of the global financial structure to increase access to finance, which is essential for building resilience against the dreaded impacts of climate change.

Prime Minister Browne has advanced critical solutions on several issues, including debt relief and championing solutions to the MVI.