ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 28th May, 2004……Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Gaston Browne has been praised by United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres for his leadership in the Caribbean and within Small Island Developing States grouping.
SG Guterres was speaking at a reception for Heads of Delegations attending the SIDS4 conference taking place in Antigua and Barbuda.
“You are a sounder voice of the Caribbean and the sounder voice of the Caribbean that has been a leader not only in the region but globally, not only defending the vital interests of SIDS, but defending a world order that is more fair and that is more able to support developing countries everywhere in the world,” said Guterres of Prime Minister Browne who is chair of the four-day conference.
The UN Secretary General also spoke personally of the impact of Prime Minister Browne on his work at the United Nations.
“Your leadership has been felt by me since I started as secretary general in so many places around the world and in so many essential moments in order to make sure that the climate action, in order to make sure that the impacts of climate change are properly addressed with justice; and in order to make sure that the financial reforms that are necessary are implemented in order to guarantee that SIDS finally find justice in the way the international community deals with SIDS – a justice that has not yet been found,” he said.
SG Guterres said that Prime Minister Browne needs to continue the work he started in addressing the problems of SIDS.
“The sounder voice needs to go on roaring in order to make sure that the next steps will allow us to move forward more decisively, because it’s important to say that this Conference is a success; and that this conference registers important steps forward; the initiatives you refer that are initiatives of Antigua and Barbuda at the center of excellence of the forum which are extremely important are achieved,” he said.
“There is still a long way to go to have financial justice in relation to the SIDS and in relation to the developing world in general and so your voice, your leadership in promoting the reforms and the changes that are necessary, that voice of leadership I am absolutely sure will continue to guide us in our strong commitment to support the SIDS to fight climate change and to have more justice in international relations,” he said.
The UN leader also spoke of the country’s determination to have a successful conference, outlining that Antiguans and Barbudans need to be proud of their efforts, having organized a conference with over 3500 persons in a way that is “absolutely exemplary.” He said that organizing a conference of this magnitude was not an easy task and even more daunting considering Antigua and Barbuda’s size and resources.
Antonio Guterres also pledged the support of the United Nations outlining that SIDS represent an essential battle in the struggle for a better world. “Your countries are countries that face challenges that are enormous compared with my own country for instance. We will be at your side fighting for justice, fighting to make sure that we are able to reverse this climate chaos for which we are slowly walking towards and you can count on us in order to tell those that have the capacity and the resources to support you, that support is not a matter of generosity it is a matter of justice,” he concluded. (Ends)
