Antigua and Barbuda is participating in a major international ocean summit in Japan, where the country's delegation is advocating for stronger protections and greater support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) facing escalating climate threats. According to Antigua.news, the two-day summit, held June 3–4 under the theme "Sustainable Ocean Action for Resilient Islands," focuses on climate-resilient and science-based ocean planning.
Leading the Antiguan delegation is Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy Anthony Smith Jr., joined by Climate Ambassador Ruleta Camacho-Thomas, Senior Operations and Policy Manager within the Department of the Blue Economy Marver Woodley, Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Tricia Lovell, and Dr. Branson Belle, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
During the summit's High-Level Segment, Minister Smith delivered Antigua and Barbuda's national statement, underscoring the ocean's central role in the country's economy, food security, tourism sector and livelihoods. He warned that small island nations continue to face mounting pressures from climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, coral reef degradation, marine pollution and increasing strain on marine ecosystems and fisheries resources.
Smith reaffirmed the country's commitment to the global 30×30 target, which seeks to conserve at least 30 percent of the world's oceans and land by 2030. He also called on the international community to improve small island states' access to ocean science, research, data, financing, technology and technical assistance.
As a newly appointed member of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed the Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management Strategy as a key framework for integrated ocean governance and regional collaboration.
Minister Smith also took part in a High-Level Special Event on "Sea Level Rise and International Law," where discussions centred on safeguarding the rights and interests of island nations threatened by rising seas.
The summit is also expected to see the launch of a Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management Support Platform, designed to strengthen technical assistance, partnerships and coordination among island nations.
Beyond the summit sessions, the Antiguan delegation is scheduled to engage in a series of bilateral meetings and technical discussions covering ocean governance, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and blue economy financing. Officials say Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to working with regional and international partners to promote sustainable ocean management and build a resilient blue economy for future generations.
