The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, has successfully organized its 2nd Annual Sustainable Development Goals themed debating competition.

The event saw the participation of a team from the University of the West Indies Five Islands and another from The Antigua State College, with UWI emerging as the winner of the competition.

The topic that was debated was whether “The immediate acceleration of the SDGs is sufficient to meet the 2030 deadline.”

The third speaker of UWI, Mr. Shahein Fitzpatrick, was awarded the title of the best speaker.

Joy-Marie King, Director of International Trade and SDGs Focal Point for Antigua and Barbuda, praised the exceptional performances of both teams and emphasized that the initiative aims to create public awareness and advocacy of the sustainable development goals, particularly among the youth of Antigua and Barbuda, in line with the objective of leaving no one behind.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation for the support of E. P Chet Greene and Town House Mega Store towards the success of the competition.

The winners of the competition will represent Antigua and Barbuda at a regional SDGs themed debating competition scheduled to be held in 2024 under the auspices of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the OECS.