Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne, held discussions with Mr. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, on the sidelines of the Belém Climate Summit at COP30.
During the meeting, Mr. Diong commended Prime Minister Browne for his unwavering advocacy in the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund and for Antigua and Barbuda’s continued leadership in championing climate justice for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
He provided an update on the Fund’s operational progress, revealing that USD 800 million has been pledged to date. The Fund, he explained, will operate through three modalities — multilateral development banks, direct access entities, and accredited entities under the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund — designed to ensure flexibility, efficiency, and rapid assistance to vulnerable nations. The official launch is scheduled for December 15, 2025, with full activation anticipated within six months thereafter.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed the update and reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s intention to be among the first applicants for financing, referencing the country’s recent experiences with hurricanes, coastal erosion, and other climate-related challenges. He praised Mr. Diong’s leadership and reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment, as a member of the Fund’s Board, to ensuring that resources are directed to the most affected communities.
The Prime Minister also congratulated Mr. Diong on the Fund’s progress and confirmed the country’s readiness to align its national systems with the Fund’s operational framework. He highlighted the forthcoming launch of the Barbuda Implementation Mechanism (BIM) on November 10, 2025, during COP30, describing it as a pioneering example of locally driven action to address loss and damage.
Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the full capitalization and effective implementation of the Fund, emphasizing the importance of empowering frontline communities to recover, rebuild, and thrive in the face of the escalating climate crisis.
