PM Browne Arrives in Türkiye to Press for Climate Finance at COP31

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has arrived in Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31, where he is expected to press world leaders and international financial institutions to deliver climate financing that small island states can access to protect their communities and economies.

Browne will participate in the High-Level Leaders’ Segment of the United Nations climate conference, with Antigua and Barbuda’s agenda centred on resilience, clean energy and stronger support for countries bearing the consequences of climate change.

According to a government statement, senior Turkish officials, including Deputy Ministers, the Governor of Antalya and the Garrison Commander, welcomed the Prime Minister on arrival. The ceremony included a military guard of honour and a presentation of flowers by two children.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Climate Ambassador and Acting Director of the Department of Environment, Ruleta Camacho Thomas, also greeted Browne. She is leading the country’s technical delegation in the climate negotiations.

For Antigua and Barbuda and other Small Island Developing States, a central concern is securing affordable and accessible financing to strengthen infrastructure, safeguard livelihoods and prepare for increasingly severe climate-related disasters.

Browne is expected to call on developed countries and international financial institutions to honour their commitments and ensure that funding translates into practical assistance for vulnerable nations.

Another major focus will be the anticipated overshoot of the 1.5°C global warming threshold. The government said Browne will stress the need to limit both the extent and duration of any overshoot, given the threats rising temperatures pose to small island nations.

Those concerns include sea-level rise, coastal erosion and extreme weather, with implications for communities, public infrastructure and economic stability.

The Prime Minister’s participation follows Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where climate resilience, sustainable development, ocean conservation and financing for vulnerable states featured in discussions.

At COP31, Browne is expected to build on those engagements by calling for stronger partnerships and international cooperation to address the climate crisis.

His programme also includes high-level discussions on South-South cooperation with China, focusing on renewable energy, technology transfer, climate innovation and capacity building.

The government said these talks form part of efforts to reduce Antigua and Barbuda’s dependence on fossil fuels and attract investment in clean energy and climate-resilient development.

Browne is also expected to participate in discussions on green industrialisation, the global clean energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement, while advocating for smaller developing economies to receive the support needed to participate in that transition.

Antigua and Barbuda’s position is that climate change represents a development and economic security challenge as well as an environmental threat. Its advocacy at the conference will focus on turning international commitments into financing and measurable protection for vulnerable countries.