Prime Minister Gaston Browne is in New York this week participating in a series of high-level international engagements covering climate resilience, renewable energy, sustainable development financing, democracy, human rights and reparatory justice.
Browne departed Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday, according to Antigua.news, and is expected to use the meetings to further position the country ahead of its hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Among his major appearances is the Global Citizen NOW initiative in New York City, where he is scheduled to speak on the panel "Bridging the Gap – The Frontlines of the Climate Crisis" at Spring Studios on May 14. The discussion is expected to centre on the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Antigua and Barbuda. Browne is expected to highlight the growing threats posed by hurricanes, rising sea levels, economic vulnerability and mounting adaptation costs.
The Prime Minister is also holding bilateral meetings with international clean energy, philanthropic and policy leaders aimed at advancing Antigua and Barbuda's climate and sustainable development agenda ahead of CHOGM 2026. Among those discussions are talks surrounding a proposed partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund to support a regional climate and clean energy initiative anchored in Antigua and Barbuda.
Browne is also expected to explore the proposed "Power Caribbean Initiative," which would seek to expand renewable energy investments across the region, with Antigua and Barbuda serving as a pilot hub for solar energy, battery storage and climate-resilient infrastructure projects.
In addition, the Prime Minister is meeting with representatives from the Open Society Foundations to discuss democracy, civic space, accountability and reparatory justice in the lead-up to CHOGM 2026.
The Government has described the upcoming Commonwealth summit as a major opportunity to position Antigua and Barbuda as a global convening centre for climate action, justice and sustainable development.
