Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its full commitment to ocean protection following the conclusion of the third Preparatory Commission meeting at the United Nations, where delegates advanced — but did not complete — work on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty.
According to Antigua News Room, important progress was made during the negotiations, though key gaps remain in moving the treaty toward full operationalization.
For island nations like Antigua and Barbuda, the ocean represents far more than geography. It underpins food security, economic stability, and long-term national survival. The stakes of failing to secure robust marine biodiversity protections are therefore considerable.
Antigua and Barbuda's delegation was led by Asha Challenger, First Secretary at the country's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Vice President of the Preparatory Commission. Her leadership, the government noted, has continued to amplify the voice of small island states on the global stage.
Challenger was supported by a technical team that brought legal and policy expertise to the negotiating table. Legal Officer Darius Joseph of the Department of Marine Services and Marine Shipping (ADOMS) and Crown Counsel II Zachary Phillips from the Office of the Attorney General both contributed to negotiations led by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
The government stated that Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to bridging the outstanding gaps in the treaty framework and will continue to advocate for ocean governance that is strong, equitable, and effective — for current and future generations.
