Prime Minister Browne Leads Antigua and Barbuda Delegation to 81st United Nations General Assembly

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne is in New York leading Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), where he will participate in a packed programme of high-level meetings, bilateral engagements and international forums focused on issues of critical importance to Antigua and Barbuda and other Small Island Developing States.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable E.P. Chet Greene; Minister for Health, Wellness and the Environment, the Honourable Michael Joseph; and Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Walton Webson.

The 81st Session is being convened under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The General Debate is taking place from September 22–28, bringing Heads of State and Government to New York to address major global challenges. (

Prime Minister Browne said Antigua and Barbuda’s participation will continue the country’s longstanding advocacy for a stronger and fairer international system that recognises the particular vulnerabilities and development needs of small states.

“For Antigua and Barbuda, the United Nations General Assembly is an important opportunity to ensure that the voices and concerns of small states are heard at the highest levels. We come to New York prepared to engage constructively, to strengthen partnerships and to advance practical solutions on the issues that directly affect the development and wellbeing of our people,” Prime Minister Browne stated.

Prime Minister Browne’s programme begins Wednesday with participation in Global Citizen NOW: Impact Sessions, followed by an OECS meeting with the European Union at the EU Delegation to the United Nations. The OECS-EU discussions are scheduled to focus on Citizenship by Investment Programmes, an issue of significant importance to participating OECS Member States.

Later Wednesday, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, and former President of the UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa. His programme also includes participation in an international discussion on eye health and a reception hosted by Prime Minister Browne and Ms. Espinosa who is Antigua and Barbuda’s candidate for the post of UN Secretary General.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Browne is scheduled to participate in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Meeting, where he will make an intervention. The engagement provides another platform for Antigua and Barbuda to advance issues affecting SIDS within the international system.

His programme also includes scheduled engagements with India’s Foreign Minister; Saudi businessman Yazeed AlYahya, whose company has expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in Antigua and Barbuda; the Open Society Foundations; and the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.