Minister Greene Holds Courtesy Meeting with UN Resident Coordinator to Advance Sustainable Development Priorities in Antigua and Barbuda
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – The Honourable E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Mr. Simon Springett, United Nations Resident Coordinator (RCO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, for a courtesy call to discuss a range of matters relating to sustainable development, institutional coordination, digital transformation, development financing and Antigua and Barbuda’s engagement with the United Nations system.
The discussions focused on advancing the country’s sustainable development priorities through strengthened collaboration with the United Nations, with particular emphasis on the upcoming signing of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) (2027-2031) slated for 23 October 2026 making Antigua and Barbuda the first country within the Eastern Caribbean to sign onto the new framework. Additionally, the framework is expected to champion the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS 2024–2034) while establishing a structured approach to monitoring outcomes, measuring progress and strengthening accountability for development results.
During the exchange, Minister Greene highlighted several key national priorities, including preparations for Antigua and Barbuda’s Second Voluntary National Review (VNR), scheduled for 2027. The Minister underscored the importance of this process in assessing national progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identifying implementation gaps and reinforcing alignment between the SDGs and ABAS.
Other areas discussed included exploring the possibility of undertaking a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) to strengthen the localisation of the SDGs and improve monitoring of sustainable development progress at the local level. The Minister also highlighted the continued importance of advancing the SIDS Centre of Excellence as a mechanism to support small island developing States through enhanced research, innovation, capacity-building and access to practical solutions tailored to their unique development challenges.
The meeting further considered the upcoming meeting and training workshop with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which is to be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda under the project themed “Stronger and Greener Productive Capacities for Just Transitions in Caribbean SIDS”. This engagement is expected to provide an opportunity to advance dialogue on sustainable economic diversification, green transformation and the development of productive capacities that can strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of SIDS.
The courtesy visit reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the United Nations system in advancing nationally defined development priorities. Both parties recognised the value of coordinated action, effective development partnerships and results-oriented frameworks in translating international commitments into tangible and measurable outcomes for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
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This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda to become first Eastern Caribbean country to sign new UN development framework following Greene meeting.