Antigua and Barbuda participated in the Caribbean Training Workshop for National Focal Points and Alternates on Accessing the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), held in Bridgetown, Barbados from May 12–13, 2026. The workshop was jointly convened by the FRLD Secretariat and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Representing Antigua and Barbuda were Peter Abraham Jr., Director of Debt Management and Climate Finance in the Ministry of Finance and National Focal Point for the FRLD, and Ambassador Ruleta Camacho Thomas, Climate Ambassador and Alternate Focal Point for the FRLD.
The workshop brought together Caribbean nations to strengthen understanding of the FRLD and to support countries in preparing funding requests under the Barbados Implementation Modalities, the Fund's start-up financing mechanism.
Discussions covered the structure and operations of the Fund, its access modalities, direct budget support mechanisms, country-led implementation approaches, institutional arrangements, and the development of technically sound, investment-ready funding proposals. The sessions were held ahead of the June 15, 2026 submission deadline for the first operational funding window.
Participants were advised that the FRLD has launched an initial USD $250 million grant financing window. Individual funding requests range from USD $5 million to $20 million, with a minimum allocation floor of 50 percent reserved for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.
The workshop also provided updates on the forthcoming FRLD Country Support System — a dedicated mechanism intended to assist countries with funding request preparation, institutional strengthening, and the development of systems for direct access to financing. The mechanism is expected to become operational following Board consideration in July 2026 and is anticipated to provide up to USD $250,000 annually per country for technical and institutional support activities.
Country case studies formed a central part of the workshop, allowing Caribbean nations to exchange experiences and approaches to addressing climate-related loss and damage, including impacts on infrastructure, food and water security, livelihoods, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities.
Ambassador Camacho Thomas noted that the workshop provided important strategic insight into the operationalization of the Fund and reinforced the urgency of ensuring that Small Island Developing States can access financing quickly, efficiently, and in a manner that reflects their unique vulnerabilities and national circumstances.
Abraham emphasised the importance of coordinated national planning and inter-agency collaboration to position Antigua and Barbuda to submit strong proposals aligned with national priorities and development objectives.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to strengthening national resilience systems and advocating for simplified, equitable, and accessible climate finance arrangements for Small Island Developing States.
