Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | 10 January 2026 — Hon. Melford Nicholas, Minister responsible for Energy, is in Abu Dhabi leading Antigua and Barbuda’s engagement at the Sixteenth Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly and related meetings, being held from 10–12 January 2026.
Hon. Nicholas is accompanied by members of Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation, including H.E. Ruleta Camacho-Thomas, Climate Change Ambassador; H.E. Theon Ali, Ambassador; H.E. Brian Challenger, Advisor to the Hon. Minister; and Ms. Karen Burton, Director of Operations & Energy, Ministry of ICTs, Utilities & Energy.
As a member of the IRENA Assembly Bureau, Hon. Nicholas met this morning with Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, to discuss priorities for Antigua and Barbuda and practical pathways for accelerating implementation across Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including investment mobilization and delivery partnerships.
On 10 January, Hon. Nicholas is also participating in high-level engagements, including the Global Coalition for Energy Planning (GCEP) roundtable and the SIDS Ministerial dialogue focused on investment pathways, regional approaches, and partnerships to accelerate the energy transition for island states.
Hon. Nicholas will chair a ministerial-level session on 11 January, reinforcing Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership role within IRENA and its commitment to building finance-ready pipelines that deliver resilient, affordable renewable energy outcomes.
For media enquiries: Communications Unit, Ministry responsible for Energy (Antigua and Barbuda