Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Loss and Damage Fund must be properly capitalized to help Caribbean nations recover from increasingly severe climate-related disasters without falling deeper into debt.
Speaking on Pointe FM following recent meetings in New York, Browne said Antigua and Barbuda remains engaged in discussions with international climate financing agencies as the country seeks greater access to funding for climate resilience and housing renewal projects.
The prime minister said he had already held talks with officials connected to the Loss and Damage Fund and expressed optimism that Antigua and Barbuda could secure additional financing to strengthen infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness.
Browne argued that small island developing states contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions but continue to face some of the harshest consequences of climate change, including stronger hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
“We have contributed little to this crisis,” Browne said while discussing what he described as inequities in the global climate financing system.
He maintained that wealthier industrialized countries with historically high fossil fuel emissions should provide greater financial support for vulnerable nations.
“Those who pollute must pay,” Browne said, while urging that the Loss and Damage Fund be sufficiently financed so Caribbean countries can access grant funding after natural disasters instead of relying heavily on loans.
The Antiguan leader also reiterated calls for reforms to the international financial system, including broader use of vulnerability-based measurements rather than income classifications when determining eligibility for concessional financing.
Browne pointed to his advocacy surrounding the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, arguing that traditional economic indicators do not accurately reflect the risks faced by small island states vulnerable to climate shocks.
He also connected climate financing to Antigua and Barbuda’s broader housing and infrastructure agenda, noting that the government is pursuing support through institutions including the Global Environment Facility and the Loss and Damage Fund to support resilient housing and environmental projects.
Browne said continued investment in resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental management will be critical to protecting the country’s economy and tourism sector from climate-related threats.
