The climate emergency, while present, had not reached the heights it has today.

This year, as the world prepares to meet in Antigua and Barbuda in May for the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), things are different.

While SIDS have made some progress towards sustainable development, their small size, geographical remoteness and the limited scale of their economies have left them particularly vulnerable amid a raging storm of acute external shocks.

Even with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change now in place as clear target-driven global agreements to make the world better for everyone everywhere, SIDS are being left behind.

The time for a new programme of action for SIDS is now.

“SIDS are the stewards of our ocean and bastions of environmental justice. Amid today’s turmoil, they are both facing the fire and fueling the change,” said UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, also serving as Secretary-General of the SIDS4 Conference. “Building their resilience ensures a sustainable future for us all.

He added: “We must craft an ambitious programme of action that is robust and achievable. Not a wish list, but an action list.”

Countries took a big step in developing that action list in New York during the first Preparatory Committee session for the Conference.

Delegates met from 22 to 26 January for the first round of discussions about the zero draft outcome document.

Bolstering more resilient societies

It outlines a development plan aimed at bolstering more resilient societies in SIDS including by improving their access to finance—including climate finance—strengthening data collection, accelerating innovation and digitalization, and enabling partnerships. Special attention has also been placed on improving education and employment opportunities for children an youth, and other vulnerable groups.

“As co-chairs, we are happy to note the strong showing we saw from member states and the UN system and civil society,” said H.E Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the UN and co-chair of the SIDS4 Preparatory Committee with New Zealand, at a news conference during the preparatory meetings.

“We heard strong commitments for a more sharply focused and action-oriented programme of action.”

Ambassador Mohamed noted: “SIDS are not seeking charity. SIDS are looking for genuine partnerships.”

The SIDS4 Conference comes at a critical time for small islands, which face rising sea levels and a rising debt burden.

“The cumulative effects of weather, climate and water-related hazards in SIDS, which caused a staggering US$153 billion dollars of losses in the last 50 years continue to pose existential threats to the 39 small island states,” said Rabab Fatima, UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and Special Adviser for the SIDS4 Conference.

Good ideas for how to build resilience in SIDS are coming from the people living on small islands in addition to their development partners. The upcoming conference in Antigua and Barbuda will provide opportunities for all stakeholder groups to learn from each other and create new partnerships to benefit all.

“We believe this Conference is going to put down a marker for transformation,” said Walton A. Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda.

From March 18th, 2024, the 11th International Immigration and Emigration Service Industry Summit Forum Hangzhou Summit was held in Hangzhou, China, organized by Beijing Immigration and Emigration Service Industry Association, which was attended by presidents, vice presidents, secretaries-general of provincial and municipal associations, as well as authoritative figures in the industry. At the same time, the summit also attracted more than 500 immigration agencies and more than 100 overseas project organizations, totaling more than 1,200 people to participate in the summit.

It is worth mentioning that EDICR was invited by the organizers to accompany Ms. Olga Lidia Tittle Diaz, Commercial Attache of the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda in China, to attend the summit.

Attache Olga delivered a speech at the summit. She emphasized the deep friendship between the two countries and recalled the visit of Prime Minister Ambar to China at the beginning of the year, which has deepened the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, culture, science and technology, and medical care, etc. Attache Olga expressed her great happiness for the promulgation of the visa exemption policy between China and Anhui, and she expected that there would be more exchanges between the two countries after the opening of the linear flights in the future.

The Hangzhou Summit has a rich agenda, distinctive features, grand scale, specially set up forums, exhibition halls and outdoor scene of communication and seminar interaction and other forms of activities, attracting domestic and foreign industry experts, the main leaders of provincial immigration and immigration industry associations, heads of agencies, etc., a total of more than 1,000 people came to participate in the event, for the gathering of more than 100 high-quality projects and more than 300 strength of the intermediary institutions create The event provided a good opportunity for face-to-face business exchanges and zero-distance negotiation and cooperation.

At a time when the global economy is integrating and exchanging, and the flow of people from different countries is growing, the immigration and emigration service industry is also facing new important development opportunities. The Hangzhou Summit gathered participants from all over the world, and they actively planned the global development strategy of the international immigration and emigration service industry, talked about the opportunities and challenges, and discussed the win-win cooperation plan, which is believed to welcome the bright future of the industry together!

Prime Minister Browne, who was first elected on March 9, 1999, representing the St. John’s City West Constituency, has been successful in five consecutive elections. He is also the only Prime Minister in the country’s history to have won three consecutive elections. Prime Minister Browne recently secured his third term in office on January 18 2023, during Antigua and Barbuda’s general election.

He is the leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), a position he has held since 2014. During his tenure, Prime Minister Browne has overseen significant developments and faced challenges, including the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, the establishment of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne was born in Potters on 9 February 1967 and was raised in the poverty-stricken communities of Point and Grays. After completing his secondary education, Browne left Antigua for the United Kingdom, where he completed degree programs in Banking and Finance. Before entering politics full-time, Browne worked in the banking sector for several years and rose to become a senior bank manager.

In the 1999 General Election, Browne entered the political arena and was elected as the Member of Parliament for the constituency of St John’s City West. Browne’s first ministerial appointment was as the Minister of Planning, Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Public Service Affairs in then Prime Minister Lester Bird’s cabinet. In April 2021, Browne added the profession of farmer to his long list of accolades when he started Farmer DG Browne Company Limited with his two adult sons. The farm produces livestock, fresh seasoning, ground provision, and coconuts.

His contributions have made a difference in the lives of many, and he continues to lead the country with vision and purpose.

Recent data released by the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association reveal a marginal increase in hotel occupancy rates for January 2024 compared to both 2023 and the benchmark year of 2019. January 2024 saw hotel occupancy reach 80.8%, a slight uptick from 79.8% in 2023 and 79.0% in 2019.

In terms of air arrivals, January 2024 also showed a modest increase over 2019 figures. The total number of arrivals by air in January stood at 30,690, compared to 30,243 in January 2019.

Notably, the United States remains a key driver of tourism growth, being the only source market to experience an increase in arrivals, contributing 45% of all visitors with 13,724 arrivals in January.

Conversely, the UK, the second-largest source market for Antigua and Barbuda tourism, witnessed a decline from 8,776 visitors in 2019 to 7,812 in 2024.

All other source markets experienced decreases in arrivals from 2019 to 2024.

One of the challenges facing the tourism industry in Antigua and Barbuda is the reduction in airlifts to the destination.

This reduction has been particularly impactful on arrivals from the UK, as both British Airways and Virgin have scaled back their flights to the region.

Quinland-Donovan noted that the program received perfect scores in residence requirements and physical visit requirements, and passed in investment requirements, visa-free access, processing time, compliance, and transparency.

“Looking at the various categories being ranked, we see that the five programs in the Eastern Caribbean are similarly positioned. This means that the industry sees much homogeneity across these programs,” Quinland-Donovan stated.

“It, therefore, behooves us to ensure that we have shared values, shared red lines, and shared best practices and standards.”

The Henley Global Citizenship Program Index is a comprehensive ranking of the world’s most popular citizenship-by-investment programs, evaluating various criteria to assess their attractiveness and effectiveness.

In particular, he held meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, where they discussed significant areas of cooperation between their respective countries.

These talks took place following the first Saudi-Caricom Summit, which was held in Riyadh last year.

Additionally, Prime Minister Browne also met with Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. Notably, Botchwey is Ghana’s candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General.

As he meets with his fellow Caricom heads for critical discussions, Prime Minister Browne is dedicated to advancing bilateral talks and promoting cooperation among nations.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program has secured a prestigious 3rd place in the Global Citizenship Program Index, according to the latest rankings from Henley & Partners.

Tying with Grenada and St. Lucia with a score of 70, Antigua and Barbuda’s program stands out as a highly competitive option for global investors seeking citizenship through investment.

Antigua and Barbuda’s program offers a range of attractive investment routes, including real estate-linked options and fund investments.

Additionally, investors have the option to make a non-refundable contribution to the University of the West Indies or explore alternative business investment opportunities. The Henley & Partners report highlights a growing trend in millionaire migration, with a record number of high-net-worth individuals projected to move to a new country in 2024.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program provides investors with the security and flexibility they need to navigate global uncertainties. Antigua and Barbuda’s strong performance in the Global Citizenship Program Index reaffirms its position as a leading destination for investors seeking citizenship through investment.

European residence and citizenship by investment programs continue to dominate the top spots of global wealth advisory firm Henley & Partners’ annual rankings of the most sought-after investment migration programs in the world. Malta holds onto 1(st) place in the 2024 Global Citizenship Program Index as it has done for nine consecutive years, while the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program retains top spot on the Global Residence Program Index.

The two indexes — featured in the 2024 edition of the Investment Migration Programs report, one of Henley & Partners’ annual flagship publications — offer a systematic analysis and comprehensive benchmarking of the world’s most attractive residence and citizenship by investment programs, providing the gold standard in the sector. This year’s edition includes a total of 39 programs, representing the most relevant of over 100 programs worldwide. These have been appraised by a panel of independent experts including leading academic researchers, country risk specialists, economists, independent expert immigration and citizenship lawyers, and other specialists, who consider a broad range of pertinent factors. Interactive digital comparisons of the programs are also available, enabling global investors and wealthy families to select what matters most to them when weighing up their options.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, international immigration and citizenship law expert and Chairman of Henley & Partners, says Investment Migration Programs 2024 is essential for all those interested in keeping up to date with developments in the investment migration sector or considering residence or citizenship by investment as options for unlocking global access and opportunity. “The publication is important not only for private clients and their advisors and other wealth management professionals, but equally for government policy makers looking to manage investment migration programs to achieve greater fiscal autonomy and economic growth. In this era of heightened global volatility, nation states are using residence and citizenship by investment programs as an innovative financing tool to fund national or regional social and infrastructure projects as well as development initiatives that mitigate sustainability risks, to the benefit of their citizens and residents.”

Citizenship programs: Malta reigns supreme

The Global Citizenship Program Index ranks 13 programs, with the strategically located European nation of Malta scoring 77 out of 100 and taking top honors once again. Malta’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations allow for the granting of citizenship by a certificate of naturalization to foreign individuals and their families who contribute to the country’s economic development. This is possible following a 36-month residence period (or 12 months by exception). Malta’s original citizenship program was designed by Henley & Partners in 2013–2014 and went on to become one of the most successful such programs in the world. Retaining 2(nd) place with a score of 74 is Austria’s premium citizenship by investment offering, which requires applicants to make a substantial contribution to the Austrian economy. Three Caribbean island nations tie in 3(rd) position, each scoring 70: the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program, and the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program all offer attractive real estate-linked investment routes and fund options. Antigua also offers alternative business investment options or investors can make a non-refundable contribution to the University of the West Indies.

Another two Caribbean nations make it into the Top 5 — the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program in 4(th) place with a score of 68, followed closely by the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program, which scores 67 and shares 5(th) place with the increasingly popular Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Program. Türkiye has multiple routes to citizenship, including a real estate option, and as a major transcontinental country, provides investors with easy access to Asian, European, and Middle Eastern markets.

Sharing the 6(th) spot on the index are the Egypt Citizenship by Investment Program and the Jordan Citizenship by Investment Program, each scoring 65. The lower ranks are occupied by the North Macedonia Citizenship by Investment Program in 7(th) place, scoring 64, Vanuatu 8(th) with 62, and Cambodia in 9(th) place with a score of 53.

Residence programs: Portugal in prime position

Europe also prevails in the 2024 Global Residence Program Index, with programs on the continent occupying the Top 5 positions. The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program ranks 1(st) overall out of 26 programs with a score of 75 out of 100. Each scoring 73, the Austria Private Residence Program shares 2(nd) place with the Mediterranean’s rising star — the Greece Golden Visa Program, followed closely by the Swiss Residence Program on 72 — an investment option developed by Henley & Partners, which combines private residence with the Swiss forfait tax provisions.

Italy’s Residence by Investment Program is joint 4(th) with the UK’s Innovator Founder Visa each scoring 71. The only Top 5 program not in Europe is the Canada Start-Up Visa Program, which scores 69 and shares the 5(th) spot with another European favorite that is attracting a great deal of attention, the Spain Residence by Investment Program.

Two prime wealth hubs are joint-6(th) with scores of 66 — the UAE and Luxembourg, with the Asian powerhouse Singapore in 7(th) place scoring 65. Next are Australia and Jersey, which share 8(th) position with scores of 64, and the Malta Permanent Residence Program and New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa score 62, as does Panama’s golden visa, placing the latter three countries in joint 9(th )place. The USA’s score of 61 sees it rounding off the Top 10 list in 2024.

Three diverse territories share the 11(th) spot this year: Hong Kong, Monaco, and South Korea, all with scores of 60, while the Cyprus Permanent Residence Program ranks 12(th) scoring 59. Latvia’s Residence by Investment Program shares 13(th) place with Thailand’s Privilege Residence Program, each scoring 58, and Thailand’s neighbor, Malaysia, ranks 14(th) with a score of 50. The 15(th) place is shared by Africa’s two residence options, the Mauritius Residence by Investment Program and Namibia Residence by Investment, which each score 49.

Domicile diversification a top priority

Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says robust comparative analyses and benchmarking tools such as the Global Residence Program Index and the Global Citizenship Program Index are essential for investors as well as governments navigating the current landscape. “Acquiring alternative residence and/or citizenship by participating in reputable investment migration programs enables greater flexibility and participation in the world’s leading economies, as well as optionality, which is now an indispensable part of any family’s insurance policy for the 21(st) century. The more jurisdictions a family can access, the more diversified its assets, the lower its exposure to country-specific, regional, and global volatility, and the more sustainable it will be over the long term.”

Last year, US-Americans were the top nationality applying for alternative residence and citizenship options through Henley & Partners, and this trend has continued into the first quarter of 2024. This year is also projected to be a record breaker in terms of millionaire migration according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report, with 128,000 high-net-worth individuals forecast to move to a new country, compared to the 120,000 who did so last year, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of 110,000.

“Along with our Henley Ultimate Portfolio tool, which allows individuals to build portfolios of complementary residences and citizenships to unlock global jurisdictional access and opportunity, the two digital indexes are indispensable resources that assist wealthy investors to support them with data-driven information to future-proof their wealth and legacy for generations to come,” concludes Dr. Steffen.

Prime Minister Browne will be accompanied by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Dr. Clarence Henry.

The Heads of Government will also discuss the Guyana-Venezuela border issue, as well as the Belize-Guatemala demarcation claim.

The meeting is being chaired by Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, who will deliver the feature address at the Opening Ceremony.

CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and Roosevelt Skerrit, Outgoing Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Dominica, will also address the gathering.

The business sessions of the four-day meeting will be held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. During the meeting, the Heads of Government will hold discussions with the meeting’s special guest, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, as well as with other high-level guests.

Discussions will include the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and an update on the implementation of the free movement of all Community Nationals by March 31, 2024, as mandated at the 45th Regular Meeting in July last year.

The CARICOM Chairman, as lead Head of Government with responsibility for Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, will update the meeting on the Community’s 25 by 2025 initiative to tackle the Region’s rising food import bill and improve intra-regional trade.

Moreover, the meeting will also discuss climate change and climate financing; regional security, including the situation in Haiti and border issues; regional transportation; financial matters, including replenishment of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF); global and hemispheric issues, including developments in the Middle East; Reparations; and the 2024 ICC Men’s T-20 Cricket World Cup. The CARICOM meeting will end with a media conference on February 28.

Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to the CARICOM meeting also includes Foreign Service Officer Kurt Williams and Project Development Officer in the Office of the National Authorization Officer, Juray Roberts.