By Hon. E.P. Chet Greene

There are moments in a nation’s life that transcend politics, budgets and even bureaucracy. Moments that test our mettle, reveal our character and reshape our trajectory. The 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is precisely such a moment for us here in Antigua and Barbuda.

Over a whirlwind week, we will welcome scores of heads of state, thousands of delegates and a global media corps that will broadcast our every move. It would be easy to view this as merely a logistical headache or a costly vanity project but that cynical lens misses the forest for the trees. CHOGM 2026 is a once in a generation catalyst for economic transformation, infrastructural modernization, diplomatic ascendancy and social cohesion. Truth be told, these benefits are not automatic. They require an all of country approach: government, private sector, civil society and every single citizen and resident pulling as one.

Let me first address the elephant in the room: cost. Yes, hosting CHOGM requires significant upfront investment. However, framing this as “expense” ignores the multiplier effect. During the summit week alone, thousands of international visitors will occupy our hotel rooms, not just in the luxury resorts but in Airbnb properties, villas and rented apartments.

Our restaurants, from fine dining to roadside grills, will see unprecedented foot traffic. Our taxi drivers, tour operators, artisans and entertainers will enjoy a sustained week of full employment.

This immediate injection is merely the appetizer. The main course is the acceleration of capital projects that were already on our national development menu. Expansion and upgrade works at the V.C. Bird International Airport, steady rehabilitation of our major road arteries, the upgrading of our seaport facilities to name a few. These are not CHOGM “gifts.” They are accelerated necessities, now given a firm, non-negotiable deadline. Without CHOGM, these projects might have dawdled for some time but with CHOGM, they will be completed and our people, not just our visitors, will benefit from smoother commutes, faster cargo handling and a more resilient transport network for generations. This is the typical effect of big events coming to town. Ask the bigger cities of London, Rio, Paris and even the multiple states in the U.S and Canada that just hosted the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

Furthermore, the summit will force a quantum leap in our digital infrastructure. Bandwidth expansion, cybersecurity fortification and e-government platforms will all be completed in the deadline. When the delegates leave, our students, entrepreneurs and teleworkers will inherit a faster, more secure digital economy. That is a legacy no amount of treasury spending could have otherwise justified.

We are justly proud of our 365 beaches and the world already knows that. What CHOGM will reveal, to a captive global audience, is our capacity for sophistication. The world will see that Antigua and Barbuda can seamlessly host high level diplomatic negotiations, manage complex security logistics and deliver world class hospitality under intense scrutiny.

This is not mere vanity; it is repositioning. Post CHOGM, we will no longer be viewed solely as a leisure destination. We will be on the map for business tourism conferences, incentive travel, corporate retreats and sector specific summits. That diversification insulates our tourism dependent economy from seasonal fluctuations. It also attracts a higher spending traveler demographic, one that extends stays, books premium services and returns for future business engagements.

The media coverage alone is worth hundreds of millions in advertising value. Every news clip, every social media post from a head of state, every feature on our venues and landscapes will reach screens across 56 member states and beyond. That coverage will only be positive if we present a nation that is clean, efficient, welcoming and proud. That is where every citizen becomes a brand ambassador, from the airport greeter to the beach vendor, from the police officer to the schoolchild waving a flag. The Prime Minister has been very vocal in advocating for the cleanliness of our country. It must now be taken up as a shared and common responsibility of all.

Fifty-six nations. Over 2.5 billion citizens and a combined GDP in the trillions. These are the numbers behind CHOGM. Numbers by themselves do not close deals; relationships do.

In bilateral rooms and conference rooms, our ministers and private sector leaders will sit shoulder to shoulder with prime ministers, presidents, CEOs and sovereign wealth fund managers. This is unparalleled access. We can pitch our citizenship by investment programme, our renewable energy potential, our maritime services, our world acclaimed tourism industry and even our agricultural development prospects directly to decision makers who can move capital overnight.

More importantly, CHOGM provides a platform for us to shape agendas. We are a small island developing state but at CHOGM, we have an equal voice. We can champion debt restructuring for climate vulnerable nations. We can advocate for fairer trade terms. We can form coalitions with like-minded countries that amplify our diplomatic heft long after the summit concludes. Hosting CHOGM also presents a platform for responsible discourse on the issue of reparations. This is soft power in action and it begins with preparation. Our negotiators must be briefed. Our business delegations must have polished pitches. Our cultural attachés must be ready to forge people to people ties that outlast any memorandum of understanding.

There is a phenomenon observed in every host nation of a major global event: a spike in national self-esteem. When Antiguans and Barbudans see our flag flying alongside those of the world’s oldest democracies and newest republics, something stirs in the collective psyche. We remember that though we are small, we are sovereign. Though we are young, we are influential. Though we are vulnerable, we are resilient.

This pride manifests in tangible ways. Volunteerism surges. Community clean up campaigns multiply. School children are sensitized about our place and worth in the international community, lessons are taught about the Commonwealth’s shared values of democracy, human rights and sustainable development. Our artists; musicians, painters, sculptors, poets all find a global stage to tell our stories. Our chefs innovate local cuisine for international palates. Our fashion designers showcase Caribbean aesthetics.

Our pride alone is not enough. CHOGM must be a bridge across our internal divides of politics, religion, and economics. This is exactly why an all of country approach is non-negotiable. The summit cannot be seen as “the government’s event” or “a Ministry of Foreign Affairs project.” It belongs to every Antiguan and Barbudan. When we volunteer together, we build community. When we welcome strangers warmly, we reinforce our reputation as the “Land of 365 Beaches” but also the “Land of 365 Smiles.” That social capital is worth more than any infrastructure project.

CHOGM is not only for presidents and prime ministers. The Commonwealth’s strength lies in its associated forums: the Commonwealth Youth Forum, the Women’s Forum, the People’s Forum, and the Business Forum. These parallel events bring together activists, entrepreneurs, students and non-governmental organizations from every region.

For our local youth, this is a university without walls. You will interact with peers from Fiji, Kenya, Canada and India, exchanging ideas on climate action, gender equality, digital innovation and mental health. They will present their own projects, perhaps a mangrove restoration initiative, a tech startup, or a community arts programme and receive global feedback and funding connections.

For our civil society organizations, CHOGM is a megaphone. Issues that often go unnoticed such as domestic violence, youth empowerment and disability rights can be elevated to the international agenda. This however, requires our NGOs to prepare position papers, host side events and engage with international counterparts. The government cannot do this alone. Civil society too must seize the opportunity become and become involved at the preparatory stage. Your voices give CHOGM moral legitimacy. We have six weeks remaining.

Space does not allow me to complete my thoughts here and so in next week’s paper, I will continue to examine and lay before the nation, a comprehensive overview of the benefits of hosting CHOGM 2026 here in our beautiful, progressive and highly respected 268, Antigua and Barbuda.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Our Generation’s Legacy To Be Built Together.