The Honorable Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, is representing Antigua and Barbuda at the Second Edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2025, being held from October 27–29, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India. The event is being hosted and funded by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, as part of India Maritime Week 2025.
Minister Smith Jr. is a featured panelist for the high-level Plenary Session titled “Oceans of Opportunity: Reimagining the Global Blue Economy”, where he joins global leaders, ministers, and industry experts in charting a bold new course for sustainable ocean development, maritime innovation, and resilient coastal economies. His participation underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s growing reputation as a regional leader in advancing a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient Blue Economy.
The Minister’s intervention will focus on the critical nexus between ocean governance, climate resilience, and small island sustainability, highlighting Antigua and Barbuda’s pioneering steps to integrate ocean policy into national planning, promote blue innovation, and empower coastal communities through inclusive growth.
During the opening days of the Dialogue, Minister Smith Jr. has already held constructive bilateral engagements with senior representatives from Suriname, The Bahamas, and Fiji, exploring new frameworks for South-South cooperation, knowledge exchange, and ocean-climate partnerships. Further high-level discussions are scheduled with the Prime Minister of India and other leaders from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) attending the event, signaling a renewed push to elevate the Caribbean’s voice within the global ocean governance architecture.
Accompanying the Minister is Ms. Marver Woodley, Senior Operations and Policy Manager within the Department of the Blue Economy, who plays a leading role in advancing policy coordination, project implementation, and stakeholder engagement within Antigua and Barbuda’s expanding blue economy portfolio.
The Honourable Minister’s participation at Sagarmanthan 2025 reaffirms Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to sustainable ocean stewardship, international collaboration, and the advancement of the Antigua and Barbuda Sustainable Agenda, ABAS. As Antigua and Barbuda continues to champion the vision of a “Blue and Green Caribbean Future,” this global platform provides an unparalleled opportunity to forge partnerships, attract investment, and strengthen policy linkages.
“Our oceans represent the last frontier for both innovation and equity. Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in Sagarmanthan reflects our deep belief that small island voices must shape global solutions. The Blue Economy is not just an environmental agenda—it is our economic future, our security, and our identity.”— _Hon. Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy._