LAWMAKER CALLS OUT ‘UNFAIR’ SYSTEM GOVERNING CONCESSIONAL FINANCING

Government senator Lamin Newton is advocating for Antigua and Barbuda to receive concessional financing for development, despite its high-income classification.

The lawmaker, who is also ABLP caretaker for All Saints East and St Luke, says climate change creates significant vulnerabilities for the twin-island state, despite its Gross National Income per capita.

Senator Newton says this is one of the key takeaways from his recent participation at a high-level forum in The People’s Republic of China.

Senator Newton was among lawmakers from Antigua and Barbuda who attended the 2026 Inter-regional Seminar on the Achievement of the SDGs for Parliaments of Developing Countries.

He says the twin-island state would be positioned to accelerate the pace of development if the international rules governing official development assistance are reformed.