Brasília, Brazil – June 13, 2025 — The Honourable Gaston A. Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, participated in the inaugural Brazil-Caribbean Summit, hosted in Brasília by His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The high-level gathering brought together Caribbean leaders to strengthen cooperation on shared regional and global issues.
The Summit marked a significant step in deepening Brazil-Caribbean relations, as Brazil continues to assert its role as a regional powerhouse and advocate for developing nations on the global stage. Discussions centered on key concerns including trade, food security, climate change, and the crisis in Haiti.
Prime Minister Browne addressed the Summit, reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s unwavering commitment to regional integration and climate resilience. He praised Brazil’s leadership in advancing South-South cooperation and called for sustained, high-level engagement between Brazil and the Caribbean. Browne emphasized the need for joint policymaking to drive economic growth, enhance trade, and improve the quality of life for citizens across the region.
Highlighting Brazil’s role as host of COP30, set for November 2025 in the Amazon region, Prime Minister Browne described the event as a historic opportunity. “COP30 must serve as a turning point for delivering concrete commitments, especially in mobilizing and operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund — a lifeline for vulnerable nations like ours,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to President Lula for Brazil’s renewed diplomatic outreach to the Caribbean, including plans to reopen Brazilian embassies in CARICOM countries — notably in Antigua and Barbuda. Browne further advocated for improved transportation connectivity across the region to boost supply chains and enhance food security.
Two major agreements emerged from the Summit:
- The Brazil-Caribbean Joint Communiqué – This agreement outlines enhanced collaboration on food and nutrition security, poverty reduction, sustainable energy, and climate action. It also supports key initiatives such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda. Greater regional connectivity for trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange is also a priority.
- The Brazil-Caribbean Statement on Climate Change and COP30 – This declaration highlights the existential threat of climate change to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and calls for urgent, coordinated global action. The statement positions COP30 as a pivotal moment for advancing inclusive, ambitious climate solutions.
Prime Minister Browne was accompanied by a delegation including:
- His Excellency Dr. Clarence Henry, Ambassador to CARICOM
- Mr. Kurt M. Williams, Senior Foreign Service Officer
- Ms. Zeina Hechme, Senior Foreign Service Officer
Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in the Summit underscores the country’s strong commitment to multilateral diplomacy and regional solidarity in tackling the critical development challenges of the 21st century.
