Deeper international cooperation and the elevation of mental health on the global development agenda emerged as key outcomes from a series of high-level bilateral meetings held by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain.
Prime Minister Browne began the day with a major bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund for International Development. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the OPEC Fund and the Debt Sustainability Support Service (DSSS), a SIDS-led mechanism to address debt vulnerability and unlock development finance.
In advocating for greater OPEC Fund involvement with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Prime Minister Browne emphasized the importance of coordinated financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building: “The OPEC Fund has the reach and resources to make a transformative impact in SIDS—this is the moment to act,” he said.
The Prime Minister also met with Dr. Amit Prothi, Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Their conversation focused on enhancing regional collaboration and data-driven planning to strengthen infrastructure resilience across SIDS.
A key highlight was the proposal for CDRI’s support in developing the SIDS Data Hub, to be housed at the SIDS Centre of Excellence. This hub aims to provide real-time, actionable data to improve climate adaptation and infrastructure planning across vulnerable island states. “We cannot manage what we cannot measure—reliable data is the bedrock of resilience,” Prime Minister Browne noted.
Later, Prime Minister Browne held a follow-up meeting with Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to advance discussions initiated during the recent 55th OAS General Assembly held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing a landmark OAS resolution that places mental health at the center of the hemispheric health agenda. The resolution includes:
- The creation of a regional mental health partnership to expand access to services and scale up community-based initiatives.
- Formation of an Inter-American working group to draft a regional action plan aligned with PAHO strategies.
- Consideration of a regional mental health fund to support high-impact initiatives across the Americas.
Dr. Barbosa described the resolution as a “groundbreaking achievement,” stating: “We must recognize the fundamental role that mental health plays in strengthening human capital, economic sustainability, and social well-being and growth.”
Prime Minister Browne, who played a pivotal role in getting mental health on the OAS agenda, praised PAHO for integrating mental health into primary care systems through routine screenings and workforce training: “No longer can the world and its leaders neglect mental health. The time for action is now,” he affirmed.
The meeting also reinforced the strong partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and PAHO, particularly in addressing the mental health needs of SIDS in the context of climate shocks and economic pressures.
As the second day of FfD4 concluded, Prime Minister Browne continued to demonstrate Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership among SIDS by driving forward a practical, development-focused agenda. His engagements reflect a commitment to securing measurable outcomes in financing, climate data systems, and public health—ensuring the voices and needs of vulnerable nations remain at the forefront of global discussions. (Ends)
