The Barbados-based United Nations’ Resident Coordinator Office says the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is continuing to build resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Triple Crisis, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable and accelerating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of ongoing efforts, the Resident Coordinator’s Office on Friday said Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance, in collaboration with the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, hosted a panel discussion that brought together key development partners and members of the international community to explore effective policy solutions to enhance future resilience.
The high-level panel included representatives from the Ministry of Social Transformation, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Resident Coordinator’s Office said the talks centred on the impact and response to the crisis of food, energy and finance, as well as means to foster economic transformation, promote renewable energy and strengthen food security.
With a primary focus on advocating for those furthest behind, the discussion also explored financing options available to help Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to bounce back from the Triple Crisis, and how best Antigua and Barbuda could speedily access these resources, the Resident Coordinator Office said.
In addressing the launch, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Corporate Governance, Gaston Browne, noted the link between resilience and vulnerability.
“SIDS vulnerability is unique,” he said. “Resilience is the opposite side of the vulnerability coin; we cannot speak of resilience without addressing the vulnerability of SIDS, which cannot be understated. We must redouble our efforts to build resilience and protect the most vulnerable.
“Antigua and Barbuda as part of its quest to build resilience is on a mission to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.
“The SDGs represent a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. It aims to transform our world and it is critical that no one is left behind.”
UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Didier Trebucq also addressed the forum, reiterating that building resilience was critical to the survival of Caribbean SIDS.
“With the climate crisis hitting the region, the task of building resilience is critical,” he said. “The passage of tropical storm Brett yesterday was just another reminder. SIDS remain exposed to climate change-related disasters, volatile food and energy markets, and unfortunately declining official development assistance.
“Rest assured that the UN stands committed to Antigua and Barbuda to build resilience,” Trebucq said.
“This is at the core of our cooperation agenda for Caribbean SIDS. But if we are to be successful, strong partnerships are critical. Today’s panel discussion provides, in my view, a great opportunity for meaningful conversation on how we can strengthen our collaboration in practical ways.”
The Resident Coordinator’s Office said fast-growing indebtedness and low access to concessional financing have made it difficult for Eastern Caribbean SIDS to achieve self-sufficiency in the energy and food sectors, whilst building resilience against inevitable external shocks and stressors.
“The Government of Antigua believes that a critical step towards building resiliency and achieving the ambition of the SDGs – prosperity for people and planet – is to establish a joint commitment between the Government and development partners to create a viable roadmap,” it said.
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