Search

2.35. With support from development partners, several technical assistance and capacity building initiatives are being implemented.
(...)
• The Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative implemented incubator and accelerator Programmes focused on Sustainable and Green Adoption in Business[11];
[11] Funded by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) through the Qatar Fund for Development.
(...)

7.4. Since the last OECS trade policy review, many developments have occurred on the multilateral and plurilateral trade agenda, including, but not limited to the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA); the conclusion of a Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, albeit with outstanding elements to be negotiated; the launch of several Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs), namely with respect to (...) Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade, Trade and Environmental Sustainability, and Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. (...)

7.7. (...) The OECS engaged actively in the negotiations, including through the CARICOM[the Caribbean Community] and ACP Groups, and looks forward to the completion of the outstanding work on Overcapacity and Overfishing. Key to concluding this work is for WTO Members to agree on what constitutes appropriate and effective special and differential treatment, as per the mandate outlined in SDG 14.6. For the OECS, a small players exemption is essential to provide sufficient policy space to developing countries and LDCs to further develop their fisheries sector in a sustainable manner.

7.9. (...) The threat of food insecurity continues to hang over OECS Members due to geopolitical forces, inflation, choked supply chains and the impacts of climate change. (...)

8.1. This period of review of the OECS-WTO Member States' trade policies and procedures was plagued by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the volcanic eruption in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and a series of natural disasters in the region, including those induced by climate change. (...)

4.19. There is an ongoing process with the development of a Draft CARICOM[the Caribbean Community] Regional SWOT Analysis to accompany the seven strategic plans for seven priority sectors, which once approved by the Council for Trade and Economic Development would be used by all stakeholders within the Community, including regional Agencies and Institutions, as the official sub-sector SWOTs when interfacing with international donor partners (IDPs). More recently additional SWOTs for the Renewable Energy and Transportation sub-sectors have been completed.

1.2. The nation is a small, open and vulnerable economy characterized by high level of imports, a narrow productive base, high level of vulnerability to climate change, natural disasters and exogenous shocks. (...)

1.3. To safeguard our survival, sustainability and inclusivity have been introduced as a critical element in our overall development agenda. To date, Antigua and Barbuda has achieved 66% alignment with the sustainable development goals in its development agenda.

1.4. Our sustainable development agenda is guided by several sectoral objectives as indicated by the Ministry of Finance including:
1. Strengthening the macro fiscal foundation of the island state- revitalizing its economy by adopting sound macroeconomic and prudent fiscal management practices and targeting critical sectors that can drive current and/or future economic growth and job creation. This includes a renewed emphasis on the agricultural and fisheries sector, manufacturing, implementing a maritime/blue economy plan, cultural and creative industry (film, music, and arts), building sustainability and resilience within tourism, improving competitiveness, and the enabling environment to attract foreign investments and drive private sector-led growth. (...)
2. Investing in climate resilient infrastructure-Interventions to increase investments in physical infrastructures, such as transport (sea, air, road), water and sanitation, energy and housing, to facilitate the movement of goods and people, business operations, and livelihoods; and digital, technology and innovation infrastructure to introduce efficiencies and new ways of working and producing in the economy. To drive economic growth, Antigua and Barbuda will mobilize resources for the rehabilitation, maintenance, and expansion of its infrastructure assets. This will include innovative financing mechanisms for the development of climate-resilient transport and housing infrastructure and strengthen its digital ecosystem;
(...)
5. Adapting for climate change and environmental sustainability and promoting leadership and partnership throughout society-Environmental sustainability has always been one of the country's key development priorities. Antigua and Barbuda has championed climate change issues, disaster preparedness and resilience building at the regional and international levels. The government has also incorporated climate change mainstreaming in successive development agendas to ensure its limited finances are used effectively to ensure long-term growth, development, and prosperity while building climate resilience. Therefore, interventions to increase renewable energy generation, climate-proof buildings and infrastructure and create the enabling environment for a low carbon development pathway are outlined in the country's National Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change since October 2015.

11.11. (...) On the recommendation of the ABBS[the Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards], standards may be declared by Order of the Minister to become a technical regulation with the intention to protect the consumer or user against danger to health and safety; (...) to protect the environment; or to generally protect public or industrial health, welfare, or safety. (...)