Antigua and Barbuda was called upon to play a prominent role at the opening of High-Level Week as the 81st United Nations General Assembly got underway in New York today, demonstrating the significant respect the country continues to enjoy in the international community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Honourable E. Paul Chet Greene, took the rostrum this afternoon to chair the proceedings as leaders and senior representatives from countries around the world delivered their national addresses to the global body.

The Minister’s role placed Antigua and Barbuda in a position of responsibility at a consequential moment for the multilateral system, as the United Nations confronts questions of trust and its capacity to respond to a rapidly shifting international landscape.

The theme of the 81st session, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” speaks directly to some of the challenges the body is facing. For Minister Greene, the occasion represented a moment of pride not only personally, but for Antigua and Barbuda.

“It shows that the country is still being held with considerable respect among the international community. And being called on to serve in such a role moves us beyond simply participating in an important diplomatic process but playing a role in managing its proceedings,” Greene noted.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne joins the country’s national delegation at the United Nations tomorrow. Besides Minister Greene, the country’s Minister of Health and the Environment, the Hon. Michael Joseph is in New York participating in the High Level week meetings.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda plays prominent role on opening day of UN General Debate.