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OAS General Assembly Hosting: What It Means for Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to host the 56th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in June — a landmark moment that places the twin-island nation at the centre of hemispheric diplomacy.
The General Assembly is the OAS’s highest decision-making body, bringing together foreign ministers, senior government officials, diplomats, and observers from across the Americas.
It will be the first time Antigua and Barbuda hosts the event, which is expected to focus on critical regional issues such as climate change, democracy, security, and economic resilience.
Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet briefing, Chief of Staff Ambassador Lionel Hurst confirmed that while Cabinet has yet to finalise several logistical decisions due to limited attendance at this week’s meeting, preparations are advancing behind the scenes.
A revised meeting schedule is expected in the coming days to accommodate planning delays caused by the Easter holiday.
For Antigua and Barbuda, hosting the OAS General Assembly is both a diplomatic opportunity and a logistical challenge.
Dozens of delegations will descend on St John’s for the multi-day event, requiring significant coordination across government ministries, the police, protocol offices, and hospitality sectors.
Tourism and Foreign Affairs officials are expected to lead preparations, with assistance from OAS technical teams. Local hotels, transport operators, and event venues are already being lined up to accommodate the influx of high-level visitors.
“The General Assembly is not just symbolic,” said regional affairs analyst Marsha Browne.
“It provides the host country with a rare platform to set the tone on key issues, highlight national priorities, and showcase its capacity to lead on the international stage.”
Other Caribbean nations that have hosted the event — including The Bahamas, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic — have used the opportunity to secure technical cooperation, raise visibility in hemispheric affairs, and attract future investment.
Antigua and Barbuda is expected to place strong emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and climate adaptation, particularly in light of its vulnerability to hurricanes and rising sea levels.
While official agendas have not yet been released, discussions are likely to include Haiti’s ongoing crisis, migration, electoral integrity, and regional security coordination.
The country’s role as host will also allow it to forge deeper bilateral ties with larger member states such as the United States, Brazil, and Mexico.
Hosting the OAS General Assembly comes at a time when Antigua and Barbuda is increasingly positioning itself as a regional convening hub, with other international events like the Caribbean Travel Marketplace also scheduled for this year.
If successful, the General Assembly could help cement the country’s reputation not only as a tourist destination but as a serious player in international diplomacy.
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