Antigua and Barbuda has played a key role in securing the establishment of a new CARICOM office in Vienna, Austria, aimed at deepening diplomatic ties and expanding training opportunities for Caribbean nationals.

Senator the Honourable Michael Joseph, who recently returned from a series of international meetings, revealed during an ABS interview that negotiations were finalised during a recent engagement in Vienna. “One of the meetings… we had a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister, and one of the things I’m happy that we were able to negotiate is that we were able to negotiate with the Austrians the ability to have a CARICOM office that they will co-finance in Vienna,” Joseph announced.

The new diplomatic mission is expected to enhance CARICOM’s coordination with United Nations agencies headquartered in Vienna, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The office will also facilitate professional development opportunities.

“It will allow for us to be able to coordinate with more UN agencies, as well as to provide training in tourism and diplomacy for our citizens,” Joseph added.

While no timeline has been announced, Joseph indicated that the matter now lies with CARICOM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to complete the implementation phase. “I’ve done my job. Yes, it’s up to them now,” he said.

The initiative marks a strategic expansion of CARICOM’s diplomatic presence in Europe and reinforces Antigua and Barbuda’s active role in regional and global affairs. The Vienna office is expected to provide a stronger platform for Caribbean voices on international issues while opening new pathways for skill-building and engagement.