Antiguan Graduate Completes Prestigious Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Fellowship, Eyes Climate Finance Leadership
Antiguan national Carlon Knight has proudly graduated from the distinguished Italy-AOSIS Fellowship on November 20, during a ceremony held alongside the COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Italy-AOSIS Fellowship, funded by the Italian Government, equips young professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with skills in climate diplomacy and sustainable development governance. Now in its 11th edition, the 2024 cohort included ten fellows from ten island nations, selected through a rigorous global process. Knight was one of four Caribbean representatives in this year’s program.
Over 10 months, fellows gained hands-on experience by working with their respective UN Missions in New York and attending weekly capacity-building workshops hosted by the Samoa Mission, current chairs of AOSIS. Expert facilitators trained fellows in United Nations processes, climate diplomacy, and environmental governance. Fellows also supported their missions’ bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements.
The program’s highlight was participation in COP29, the world’s largest climate change conference, where fellows provided strategic support to AOSIS across thematic areas. Knight focused on climate finance, a field he is passionate about, particularly in mobilizing resources for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The graduation ceremony featured remarks from program co-director Angelique Pouponneau, Alessandro Guerri Director General of Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, and AOSIS lead climate negotiator Anne Rasmussen. Certificates of participation were awarded, celebrating the fellows’ accomplishments and the legacy of past alumni who have advanced global climate diplomacy.
Reflecting on the experience, Knight shared:
“The AOSIS Fellowship was life-changing. Working with a talented cohort of individuals from SIDS and learning from world-renowned experts has been invaluable. I feel I have grown substantially in my professional development these past few months. I am deeply grateful for the support from Ambassador Aubrey Webson and the team at the Antigua and Barbuda UN Mission, as well as the generosity of the Government of Italy and the Samoa AOSIS Chairs.”
Knight aspires to a career in climate and sustainable finance, aiming to help Antigua and Barbuda and other SIDS secure essential funding for sustainable development initiatives.
“ I find great fulfilment in working in areas where I can see tangible impact. I hope to be able to continue to develop a career in sustainable and climate finance where I can help Antigua and Barbuda and Small Island Developing States leverage the financial resources needed to fund critical sustainable development projects and programmes.’
The fellowship concludes in December, with fellows submitting final reports to the AOSIS Chairs. Knight’s journey marks a milestone in advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development.
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