Antigua and Barbuda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation to strengthen ocean governance and sustainable Blue Economy development.
The agreement was formalised on Tuesday, November 3, during the Blue Finance and Innovation Side Event of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.
The event, held at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre, was attended by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne, who delivered remarks, alongside ministers, development partners, investors and marine policy experts.
The partnership with the Foundation’s Ocean Policy Research Institute will support three key priorities: developing a national Blue Economy Policy to guide a proposed Blue Economy Bill, finalising draft legislation, and advancing a Marine Spatial Planning framework. These measures are aimed at protecting marine ecosystems while creating opportunities for sustainable investment and coastal livelihoods.
In remarks surrounding the signing, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, the Honourable Anthony Smith Jr., said the partnership would strengthen national capacity and policy development. He noted that Antigua and Barbuda aspires to lead the Caribbean in establishing a comprehensive legislative framework for the Blue Economy.
“Today’s signing strengthens Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to effective ocean governance and a sustainable Blue Economy,” Minister Smith stated.
Opening the event under the theme “Raising Blue Finance to Conserve Our Ocean,” Minister Smith stressed the urgency of making conservation financing accessible to small island developing states. He highlighted coral reef damage, coastal erosion, sargassum influxes and rising sea levels as threats to fisheries, tourism and communities.
“For small island states, ocean conservation is not a luxury. It is a matter of survival, economic security, and national development,” he declared, calling for practical financing, stronger partnerships and investment that reaches ocean-dependent communities.
In an interview on the sidelines, Minister of State the Honourable Randy Baltimore highlighted the Government’s ongoing engagement with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Earlier discussions with the Japanese organisation explored technical cooperation, including responses to sargassum and the possibility of a seaweed management and processing facility, alongside wider efforts to strengthen fisheries and marine resource management.
The MOU builds on that engagement and reflects the Government’s intention to turn international cooperation into stronger institutions, responsible use of marine resources and lasting economic opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: Antigua News Room Antigua and Barbuda Signs MOU with Sasakawa Peace Foundation to Advance Blue Economy.