Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet Notes for Wednesday, June 18th 2025

Wednesday’s Cabinet Meeting, chaired by Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, began with an invocation and scripture reading from a pastor of the Church of the Nazarene.   The reading promises God’s constant guidance, provision, and spiritual nourishment. It describes God as a guide who will satisfy the needs of his people even in difficult times, likening them to a well-watered garden and a never-failing spring

1. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, as part of its strategic efforts to develop the Wellness Tourism sector, has taken a policy decision to initiate the process for the manufacturing of stem cells within the country. The Honourable Attorney General has been tasked with reviewing and proposing legislation to create an enabling legal framework for this emerging biotechnology sector.

The Cabinet emphasized that any stem cell manufacturing conducted in Antigua and Barbuda will be done strictly using ethical and humane methods, specifically utilizing umbilical cord blood stem cells (UCBSCs). The Cabinet also acknowledged the increasing number of individuals who travel to Antigua and Barbuda seeking stem cell treatment and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting this sector—strictly within the parameters of national law.

Editors’ Note: Stem cell manufacturing refers to the process of producing, expanding, and preparing stem cells in controlled laboratory or industrial settings for use in research, diagnostics, or therapeutic applications. It involves several steps to ensure that the stem cells are safe, potent, pure, and scalable for clinical or commercial use.

2. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has deliberated on reports suggesting the country’s inclusion in a proposed U.S. sanctions list initiated under the administration of President Donald Trump. The Cabinet reaffirmed that the United States of America remains one of Antigua and Barbuda’s closest allies and emphasized its commitment to preserving and strengthening the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations.

The Cabinet underscored its continued reliance on constructive and quiet diplomacy in addressing the concerns raised by the United States. It further noted that the Prime Minister, the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the nation’s Ambassador in Washington, D.C., are actively engaging with the U.S. State Department. Several matters raised are currently being addressed, with some expected to be formally considered in the upcoming session of Parliament.

Reiterating its foreign policy principle, the Cabinet affirmed that Antigua and Barbuda is a friend to all and enemy to none, and will continue to refrain from involvement in any geo-political conflicts or wars.

3. The Cabinet was informed of a newly established agreement between Monroe University and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, following recent discussions held between Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the university’s President, Mr. Marc Jerome.

Under this agreement, ten Antiguan and Barbudan students will receive full scholarships to pursue studies at Monroe College in New York, with tuition costs fully covered. This initiative is specifically available to students who will attend as commuters. The scholarships will support studies at the Associate or Bachelor’s degree level.

This partnership aligns with the Government’s broader education policy, which aims to ensure that every household in Antigua and Barbuda has at least one member with a tertiary-level qualification, thereby advancing national development through accessible higher education.

4. The Cabinet has expressed its full support for the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Mr. Alfred Athill, in his efforts to address the growing emergence of illegal medical establishments operating across Antigua. These unauthorized entities have reportedly been administering unregulated treatments to individuals, including the illegal injection of Ozempic.

Over the weekend, the Director and members of his team, in collaboration with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, conducted an undercover operation targeting one such establishment. During the operation, a quantity of drugs and syringes—some pre-filled with suspected substances intended for unauthorized medical treatments—were confiscated.

One individual was detained for questioning in connection with the operation and was later released pending further investigation. The police continue to pursue inquiries into the matter as part of a crackdown on illegal medical practices across the island.

5. The Cabinet welcomed a delegation from the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), along with senior representatives from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Immigration Department, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Customs and Excise Division, for discussions on the country’s ratification of the Agreement Concerning Cooperation in Suppressing Illicit Maritime and Air Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the Caribbean Area, commonly referred to as the Treaty of San José.

The Cabinet affirmed its full commitment to ratifying and implementing the Treaty at the next sitting of Parliament. The agreement will facilitate Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in coordinated law enforcement operations across Caribbean maritime and airspaces aimed at combating drug trafficking, the illegal movement of firearms and ammunition, unregulated fishing, and other transnational maritime crimes.

By becoming a party to the Treaty, Antigua and Barbuda’s law enforcement agencies will be empowered to engage in joint operations, including cross-jurisdictional pursuits, boarding of stateless vessels, and regional intelligence-sharing, all while maintaining respect for national sovereignty.

The Cabinet is confident that ratifying the Treaty will significantly enhance regional cooperation through a unified legal and operational approach, thereby closing critical gaps exploited by criminal networks operating in the Caribbean basin.

6. The Cabinet welcomed the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and a member of the Festivals Commission for an update on the preparations for Antigua’s Carnival 2025, which will be held from July 25 to August 5 under the theme “Itz A Vibe.”

The Commission reported that all planning milestones have been met. In collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, a strategic marketing campaign has significantly boosted interest in the festival. As a result, tourism officials have indicated that hotel bookings have reached over 90% occupancy, and airlines are reporting near-full capacity for the duration of the festivities.

The Festivals Commission further announced new partnerships with private fete promoters, contributing to a dynamic lineup of events. Notable highlights include the 40th Anniversary Concert of the legendary Burning Flames and a Face Off Concert featuring Asa Banton of Dominica and Antigua’s own Tian Winter.

In addition, the Cabinet was informed that registration for carnival competitions is at a record high, and the various soca and calypso tents are now fully operational. The Commission also noted ongoing efforts to settle outstanding prize payments to artistes and outlined the hosting of workshops focused on vocal training and adjudication standards.

Cabinet was also briefed on the introduction of new parade routes, which will utilize streets on the outskirts of St. John’s to better accommodate the flow of events. The Cabinet instructed the Festivals Commission and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) to ensure these routes are properly outfitted with carnival décor and adequate street lighting.

7. The Cabinet invited the Port Manager of the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, Mr. Darwin Telemaque, to provide an update on the operational performance and economic outlook of the port. Mr. Telemaque reported that the Port has generated over EC $62 million in revenue in 2024, marking a consistent upward trend when compared to EC $21 million in 2014.

The Port Manager also highlighted a sustained increase in cargo throughput, with the exception of a temporary decline during the COVID-19 period in 2021. For the year 2025 to date, the port has already recorded more than 8,700 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)—a 4% increase over the same period in 2024.

He further reported that over the past weekend alone, the port processed a record 375 containers—including 109 transshipped containers—in just two days (Saturday and Sunday). This operational milestone is credited to the significant investments by the Gaston Browne administration in the modernization and expansion of both the commercial port and the cruise port infrastructure.

Mr. Telemaque also noted the growing role of Antigua and Barbuda as a regional transshipment hub, with increased volumes positioning the country as a rising player in global port logistics.

In response, the Cabinet agreed to engage with relevant unions on matters aimed at further enhancing the port’s efficiency and long-term viability. To this end, several decisions were made:

The Port Manager is expected to report back to Cabinet within 30 days on the progress of implementing these decisions.