Antigua and Barbuda, its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and the broader community of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are bidding farewell to one of their brightest minds and tireless advocates.

Deputy Permanent Representative Tumasie Blair has ended his tour of duty at the Mission, leaving an inspiring legacy of achievement and unwavering dedication to the unique circumstances facing his nation as a small island state and all others around the globe.

Tears flowed in an emotional farewell on Monday< led by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, the Hon. Gaston Browne, with whom Blair shared a special relationship in their unceasing effort to advance a number of initiatives that brought considerable respect to Antigua and Barbuda’s name internationally and in diplomatic circles.

Blair is often seen shadowing Prime Minister Browne whenever he travels to New York for meetings at the United Nations, particularly the annual General Assembly or even further afield, at the environment summit, COP.  Prime Minister Browne called his departure a bitter sweet moment in a pre-recorded video statement that was played before a room filled with colleagues and fellow diplomats from across the UN system.

“You are clearly one of the most progressive and one of the best diplomats Antigua and Barbuda has in the diplomatic service. And we will certainly miss your expertise and your experience. But we understand this represents a level of growth and diversification for you as you seek to broaden your horizon,” Prime Minister Browne stated.

In paying homage to their relationship and not willing to relinquish ties, Prime Minister Browne was quick to add, “We also believe too that you will be able to leverage opportunities too for Antigua and Barbuda in your new position.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Walton Webson, in paying tribute to a colleague, whose wisdom and guidance he has deeply valued over the years, called it a tremendous loss to their institutional capacity.

He credited Blair for the tremendous role he played in helping him to navigate the uncertainty about  Antigua and Barbuda’s ability to host the SIDS4 Conference, a landmark and historic event for the twin island nation and all SIDS.

He also praised him for his invaluable insight in the crafting of major initiatives to include the MVI and the SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Services, all major features of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), the outcome document of SIDS4.

Blair, having dedicated in excess of 20 years of his life to the work of the Mission, now starts a new chapter as Senior Director at Global Citizens,  an organization that is known for its work in eradicating poverty around the globe.

For him, it is a natural fit as he vows to continue advocating for the causes that defined his tenure as a diplomat and negotiator with the Antigua and Barbuda mission.

“Antigua and Barbuda and other SIDS  are constantly dealing with significant challenges every day. I have always fought and will continue to fight for our survival. My time at the mission has well equipped me for this new chapter in my life,” Blair said.