By Aabigayle McIntosh

Officials at the American University of Antigua are working assiduously to complete a mega-conference facility to host the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States right here in Antigua and Barbuda this May.

Vice President of AUA Vernon Solomon said in a state media interview the project will be completed in time for the major event.

“We are on schedule with completing the convention center itself in time for the United Nations Conference,” Solomon said.

Outside of the center, the entire university is being retrofitted to host the event. The planning will also include a change in the class scheduling and other university activities.

“We had to pull our semester forward the students would have come to the island sooner than anticipated and subsequently, they would leave earlier than they would generally do. Because of the nature of the United Nations, I think everyone would appreciate, that all our regular day-to-day activities would have to cease for the time the conference is going on,” he added.

More raw materials are also being imported as the progress towards the completion of the facility.

“We are expecting a shipment to close the building in. People are passing by and wondering if the building will be finished, but again we are on schedule,” he confirmed.

The 4th International Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference is expected to take place at the American University of Antigua (AUA) from 27-30 May 2024 with numerous high-level officials expected on island.

The conference will review sustainable development progress, the ability of small islands to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and propose a path forward for a decade of partnerships and solutions.

The government has said that will support the hotels, inns and other lodgings that will house international political leaders, staff and other NGO stakeholders.  Cruise ships will also be asked to assist.