Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will serve as a powerful opportunity to boost the economy, attract investment, and showcase the nation’s capabilities on the world stage.

Delivering the feature address at the official launch ceremony at Sandals Grande Antigua, Browne said the event, scheduled for November 1–4 next year, represents a defining moment for the twin-island state as it welcomes leaders and representatives from across the 56-member Commonwealth.

He said the meeting will bring renewed economic activity and global attention, noting that Antigua and Barbuda has already demonstrated its ability to host major international events. “This is a proud moment,” Browne said. “We have to work to achieve it. Mere words will not achieve it.”

High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Karen-Mae Hill, later added that the country is preparing to welcome between **6,000 and 7,000 visitors**, including heads of government, ministers, diplomats, and civil-society groups. She said the summit would allow Antigua and Barbuda to “reboot our economy, share our credentials with the world, and shape the agenda of the Commonwealth for the next five years and beyond.”

Browne pledged that his administration would exceed all expectations for the 2026 summit, saying the government is determined “not just to raise the standard, but to exceed all standards that have been set before.”

He also described the event as an opportunity for small states to show leadership in global affairs, echoing Antigua and Barbuda’s record of successfully hosting the UN SIDS4 Conference and the OAS General Assembly. “Antigua and Barbuda will once again rise to the occasion,” he said, calling on citizens to unite in support of the preparations.