The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne met with Mr. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, on the sidelines of the Belém Climate Summit, convened as part of COP30.

Mr. Diong congratulated the Prime Minister for his unwavering advocacy and leadership in championing the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund and for Antigua and Barbuda’s continued role in advancing climate justice for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Executive Director briefed the Prime Minister on the Fund’s operational progress, noting that USD 800 million has been pledged to date. The Fund will operate through three modalities — multilateral development banks (MDBs), direct access entities, and existing accredited entities of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund (AF) — to ensure flexibility, speed, and efficiency in delivering support to vulnerable countries. The Fund’s official launch is scheduled for 15 December 2025, with full activation expected within six months thereafter.

Prime Minister Browne welcomed the update and reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s intention to be among the first applicants for financing, citing the country’s recent experiences with hurricanes, coastal erosion, and other climate-induced losses. He also commended the leadership of Mr. Diong and pledged Antigua and Barbuda’s continued collaboration as a member of the Fund’s Board to ensure that resources reach those most in need.

The Prime Minister further congratulated the Fund on its progress and confirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s readiness to align national systems with the Fund’s operational requirements. He also highlighted the upcoming launch of the Barbuda Implementation Mechanism (BIM), scheduled for 10 November 2025 at COP30, as a model for locally driven action to address loss and damage.

Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the full capitalization and effective implementation of the Fund so that communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis can recover, rebuild, and thrive.