The Honourable E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, has begun his official engagements in the United Kingdom by participating in the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in London, where he moderated the Open Session of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers.
In his role as moderator, Minister Greene led a high-level discussion among Commonwealth foreign ministers on key issues shaping the future of the Commonwealth and the global multilateral system. The exchange focused on strengthening cooperation among member states and advancing reforms proposed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Ministers also reflected on the continued relevance of the Commonwealth in today’s global democratic environment, emphasising the important role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in safeguarding and promoting Commonwealth values.
Discussions further explored new approaches to economic diplomacy within the Commonwealth, including accelerating the removal of trade barriers and facilitating increased trade and investment among member states. Ministers also examined strategies to strengthen resilience across the Commonwealth, including advancing common positions on global initiatives such as the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and the Bridgetown Initiative, while enhancing coordination within international governance platforms including the EU, G7, G20 and BRICS.
During the meeting, Minister Greene also provided an update on Antigua and Barbuda’s preparations to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, which will take place in St. John’s from 1–4 November 2026.
“Antigua and Barbuda is deeply honoured to host CHOGM 2026,” Minister Greene stated. “Our preparations are advancing steadily, and we look forward to welcoming Commonwealth leaders to St. John’s for a meeting that will strengthen partnerships, accelerate investment, and advance the shared prosperity of our Commonwealth family.”
On the margins of the meeting, Minister Greene held several bilateral engagements with international partners to deepen diplomatic cooperation and discuss areas of mutual interest. These meetings included discussions with:
- Honourable Robert Oliphant MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada
- Honourable Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India
- Honourable Dr. Ian Borg MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta
- Honourable Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh
- Mr. Luke Goh, Permanent Secretary for Law and Foreign Affairs of Singapore
Minister Greene noted that these discussions strengthened bilateral partnerships and helped build momentum toward CHOGM 2026.
“The Commonwealth remains an important platform for collaboration, dialogue and opportunity,” he said. “Through partnerships and shared action, we can build resilience, unlock economic opportunity, and ensure that the Commonwealth continues to deliver meaningful benefits for our people.”
Minister Greene’s visit to the United Kingdom continues with participation in Commonwealth Day celebrations, including the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration and other official engagements with Commonwealth partners and members of the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora.
