Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its commitment to the global 30×30 biodiversity target, as government officials met with an international delegation to discuss strengthening conservation efforts and protecting the country’s natural resources in the face of climate change.

Minister responsible for the Environment, Michael Joseph, and Acting Director of the Department of Environment, Ruleta Camacho Thomas, held discussions with representatives from Campaign for Nature, an international conservation initiative advocating for the protection of at least 30 percent of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030.

The delegation included Michael David Rann, former Premier of South Australia and former Australian High Commissioner and Ambassador; former United States Senator Russ Feingold, who serves as Chair of the Campaign for Nature Global Steering Committee; and Alice Jay, the organization’s International Director.

During the meeting, the Campaign for Nature delegation praised Antigua and Barbuda for its leadership on climate change and its advocacy on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), while welcoming the country’s continued commitment to advancing global biodiversity conservation.

Joseph reaffirmed the government’s support for the 30×30 initiative, noting that Antigua and Barbuda’s ecosystems are facing increasing pressure from climate change and other environmental challenges.

He emphasized the importance of securing long-term, sustainable financing to strengthen the management of protected areas and improve the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The minister also stressed that successful conservation efforts must balance environmental protection with the needs of people, recognizing that healthy ecosystems are essential to supporting communities, livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to an approach that protects biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience and delivers lasting environmental and social benefits for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

The global 30×30 target forms part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which seeks to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by protecting and effectively managing at least 30 percent of the world’s terrestrial, inland water and marine ecosystems by the year 2030.