A three-member delegation from Antigua and Barbuda participated in Climate Week 2025: Dialogue for Ambition and Implementation, held from May 19–23, 2025, in Panama City, Panama.
The delegation contributed to high-level forums and technical dialogues focused on advancing climate finance, technology cooperation, mitigation strategies, and just transition planning—demonstrating Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing commitment to ambitious and inclusive climate action.
Mrs. Ruleta Camacho Thomas, Climate Ambassador represented Antigua and Barbuda at the UNFCCC NDC Clinic, which took place from May 22–23. Participating as a panelist in the session on “Investability: Prioritizing Investment Needs,” she underscored the need for structured, investment-ready Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that are grounded in evidence-based planning and national development priorities. She emphasized the importance of adopting available investment tools and approaches—including multi-criteria prioritization frameworks, integration of capital expenditure and operational expenditure, planning, and alignment with public budgeting processes. These tools are critical to attracting both public and private financing for climate action. She also highlighted that inclusive stakeholder engagement and policy coherence are essential elements for translating NDCs into effective, fundable strategies.
Mr. Garth Simon, National Designated Entity (NDE) representative, delivered a presentation at the Latin America and Caribbean NDE Forum and Capacity Building Programme, hosted by the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).
His intervention, titled “Lessons Learned from CTCN Technical Assistance to GCF FP133”, shared how Antigua and Barbuda successfully leveraged international technical support to structure and implement a flagship Green Climate Fund (GCF) project focused on climate-resilient construction, improved climate information systems, and post-disaster response.
Mr. Simon highlighted the importance of close coordination between technical and financial mechanisms in enabling transformational climate investments, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Ms. Jeniece St. Romain, Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office and legal advisor on climate policy, represented Antigua and Barbuda at two key global events: the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme held from May 19–20, 2025, and the Third Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme from May 22–23, 2025. Drawing on her experience with the UNFCCC, she contributed to critical discussions on forest-sector mitigation and equitable pathways for adaptation and resilience-building.
During the mitigation dialogue, Ms. St. Romain noted growing concern over the increasing vulnerability of forests to climate change, particularly due to the rise in wildfires and the need for integrated planning. She reported on promising approaches such as the use of AI and satellite technologies for monitoring, the role of national climate legislation, and economic incentives for sustainable land management. In the just transition dialogue, she emphasized the importance of rights-based, community-led adaptation strategies, workforce reskilling, inclusion of the informal economy, and the expansion of social protection systems as key enablers for climate resilience.
The participation of the Antigua and Barbuda delegation reinforced the country’s role in shaping global climate policy and advancing inclusive, investment-aligned climate action for SIDS. Their contributions reflect a commitment to bridging ambition with implementation across finance, technology, governance, and social equity.