Antigua and Barbuda Strengthens Climate Leadership at Climate Week 2025 in Panama

A three-member delegation from Antigua and Barbuda showcased the nation’s commitment to climate action during Climate Week 2025, which took place from May 19–23 in Panama City.

The event served as a platform for discussions on advancing climate finance, technology cooperation, mitigation strategies, and just transition planning.

Leading the delegation, Mrs. Ruleta Camacho Thomas, Climate Ambassador, represented Antigua and Barbuda at the UNFCCC NDC Clinic on May 22-23. As a panelist in the session titled “Investability: Prioritizing Investment Needs,” she stressed the importance of developing structured, investment-ready Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Mrs. Camacho

Thomas highlighted the need for evidence-based planning, which should align with national development priorities and public budgeting processes to attract both public and private climate financing.

She insisted that inclusive stakeholder engagement and coherent policies are essential for translating NDCs into effective and fundable climate strategies.

Mr. Garth Simon, representing the National Designated Entity (NDE), attended the Latin America and Caribbean NDE Forum and Capacity Building Programme hosted by the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). His presentation, “Lessons Learned from CTCN Technical Assistance to GCF,” illustrated how Antigua and Barbuda successfully utilized international technical support to launch a flagship Green Climate Fund (GCF) project.

This initiative focuses on climate-resilient construction, enhancing climate information systems, and bolstering post-disaster response.

Mr. Simon emphasized the significance of coordination between technical and financial mechanisms to foster transformational climate investments, particularly crucial for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Adding to the delegation’s efforts, Ms. Jeniece St. Romain, a Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office with expertise in climate policy, participated in two vital global events: the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme from May 19–20 and the Third Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme from May 22–23.

Leveraging her experience with the UNFCCC, she engaged in essential discussions around forest-sector mitigation and equitable adaptation pathways.

During the mitigation dialogue, Ms. St. Romain voiced concerns over the vulnerability of forests to climate change, particularly in relation to increasing wildfires. She highlighted innovative strategies such as using AI and satellite technology for monitoring, along with the necessity of national climate legislation and economic incentives for sustainable land management. In the just transition dialogue, she underscored the critical role of rights-based, community-driven adaptation strategies, worker reskilling, and expanding social protection systems to bolster climate resilience.

The active participation of the Antigua and Barbuda delegation underscores the nation’s pivotal role in influencing global climate policy and enhancing inclusive, investment-aligned climate action for Small Island Developing States.

Their contributions exemplify a strong commitment to integrating ambition with real-world implementation across finance, technology, governance, and social equity.