Gaston Browne urges climate finance for small island states

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on world leaders and financial institutions to accelerate climate action and expand access to affordable financing for vulnerable nations. Speaking at the Global Citizen NOW Summit in Perth, Australia, Browne warned that delays in addressing climate change threaten the survival, livelihoods, and cultural heritage of small island states.

Browne highlighted the disproportionate impact on countries that contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. He cited the 2017 devastation of Hurricane Irma, which destroyed approximately 95 per cent of properties in Barbuda and forced a total population evacuation. The recovery costs for that event were estimated at US$222 million, roughly 20 per cent of Antigua and Barbuda’s GDP.

The Prime Minister argued that international commitments must include practical funding, clear implementation plans, and accountability. He also advocated for reforms in how vulnerable countries qualify for development financing, noting that national income metrics alone do not accurately reflect a nation's exposure to climate risks like hurricanes and rising sea levels.