By Hon. E. P. Chet Greene
On behalf of our people, it is my profound honour to welcome you to these shores for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Before I go further, allow me to pay tribute to the more than 600 volunteers who have given their time, energy and heart to make this gathering possible. They are the true face of our hospitality, the first smiles you will see, the helping hands you will meet and the quiet force behind every smooth moment of this summit. To each of them: thank you. You embody the very best of Antigua and Barbuda.
That spirit reflects something much larger; an all-of-country approach. From government ministries to our security forces, our faith leaders to our schoolchildren, our artists to our entrepreneurs, every sector of our society has rallied behind this event. It is an absolute truism that a nation of our size does not host a summit of this magnitude by accident; we do it by pulling together, as one people, with a common purpose. That is who we are.
We gather here in St. John’s at a pivotal moment for our 56 nations and the 2.7 billion citizens we represent. As the smallest nation ever to host this summit, we do so with immense pride and with the conviction that size does not determine significance. Our conference theme, Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth, is not merely a slogan; it is a call to action.
We have felt the urgency of our shared challenges, from climate vulnerability to the need for sustainable trade but we also know the strength of our collective resolve. As we celebrate our own 45th year of independence, we welcome you not just as delegates but as family. Please, make yourselves at home. Enjoy our 365 beaches, our warm hospitality and the spirit of unity that defines us.
May our deliberations here in Antigua and Barbuda be fruitful, bold and worthy of the people we serve. Welcome to paradise. Welcome to the center and capital of the Commonwealth.
Welcome to Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: Antigua News Room Welcome to Antigua and Barbuda.