Commonwealth Ministers Call For Greater Investment And Co-operation To Strengthen Small States

Commonwealth ministers have called for stronger international partnerships, increased investment and practical co-operation to help small states overcome economic challenges and build more resilient economies.

The call came during the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States, held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, on Sunday, November 1, on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.

Convened under the theme “Scaling-up Partnerships and Investments for Resilient Small States”, the meeting brought together ministers to examine how governments, international institutions and private sector partners could work together to mobilise resources and advance development initiatives across the Commonwealth.

Discussions also focused on strengthening the representation of small states in international decision-making forums while ensuring their priorities are reflected in global development policies.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a special address, calling for small states to move beyond the traditional perception of vulnerability and be recognised for their strategic importance and contributions to the global economy. He also emphasised the need for deeper partnerships and greater investment across the Commonwealth.

The meeting was co-chaired by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, E. P. Chet Greene, and Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister Iruthisham Adam.

During the discussions, ministers acknowledged the potential of small states, pointing to their strategic geographical locations, natural resources, skilled workforces and growing capacity for innovation.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, in her opening remarks, highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s significance as the smallest nation by population to host a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, describing the country as an example of the potential of small states.

She noted that small states were contributing to areas such as climate action, digital innovation, sustainable finance and the blue economy, but stressed that access to affordable, predictable and adequate financing remained a major obstacle to their development.

Botchwey called for stronger partnerships and increased investment to help translate the ambitions of small states into tangible results.

Ministers also discussed the challenges facing small economies amid geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate-related crises and financial vulnerabilities. They stressed the importance of improving access to sustainable financing, addressing debt pressures and strengthening economic and climate resilience through coordinated international action.

Greene said small states continued to demonstrate innovation, resilience and leadership despite the challenges they faced.

“Despite the challenges we face, small states continue to demonstrate innovation, resilience and leadership. To unlock our full potential, we must deepen partnerships and mobilise greater investment,” he said.

He encouraged delegates to use the meeting to advance practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and promote the interests of small states through a united voice.

A significant part of the gathering was the launch of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s 23rd edition of its Small States Economic Review and Basic Statistics, titled “Beyond Resilience to Strategic Relevance: The Future of Small States”.

The report examined the investment and innovation potential of small states while highlighting approaches that could help overcome the limitations associated with their economies.

Among its findings, foreign direct investment accounted for 5.7 per cent of GDP across small states in 2024, while remittances represented 5.6 per cent of GDP among Commonwealth small states during the same year.

The report also highlighted growing innovation in digital and sustainable finance, including central bank digital currencies, green bonds and blue bonds.

It further identified opportunities for public-private partnerships, noting that 90 infrastructure projects involving private sector participation were recorded across 21 small states between 1990 and 2024.

The outcomes of the ministerial meeting were expected to be presented to Commonwealth Heads of Government during their executive session and would help shape the post-CHOGM 2026 agenda on partnerships and investment.

The discussions would also inform the Commonwealth Secretariat’s advocacy strategy for small states, aimed at ensuring their concerns, priorities and perspectives received greater attention at major international forums.