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Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting call for stronger partnerships and scaled-up investments for resilient small states

2 hours ago EDITOR

The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States convened today in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, in the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, with ministers calling for practical co-operation, stronger investment and collective action to build more resilient economies.

Under the theme “Scaling-up Partnerships and Investments for Resilient Small States”, Ministers considered how governments, international partners and the private sector could work together to scale support on existing and future Commonwealth initiatives. They also explored ways to amplify the priorities of small states in multilateral forums, while ensuring resilience building and shared prosperity across the Commonwealth.

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Rt Hon Gaston Browne, delivered a special address at the meeting.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Hon. E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, and H.E. Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.

A stronger investment case for small states

Ministers recognised the potential of small states, which combine strategic locations, natural resources, skilled workforces and growing capacity for innovation. Discussions highlighted the contribution of small states to innovation, global growth and Commonwealth-wide co-operation, while reinforcing the need for their priorities and perspectives to shape international decision-making.

In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, said:

“As the smallest nation by population ever to host a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Antigua and Barbuda exemplifies the boundless potential of small states. Across the Commonwealth, small states are generating solutions, from climate action and digital innovation to sustainable finance and the blue economy. Size need not be a limitation; rather, it can be a source of agility.

“The future of Commonwealth small states should not just be defined by an assessment of their vulnerabilities, but by their capacity to contribute to global prosperity. The biggest obstacle facing small states is accessing affordable, predictable and adequate finance. We have the chance now to deepen our partnerships and mobilise the investment needed to translate ambition into action.”

Partnerships for practical progress

Ministers noted that Commonwealth small states are navigating a period of significant global uncertainty, marked by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate-related crises and financial vulnerabilities. They also stressed the need for co-ordinated efforts to widen access to sustainable finance to strengthen economic and climate resilience and address debt pressures. Additionally, ministers underlined that lasting progress depended on continued collaboration among member countries, international institutions, development partners and investors.

Addressing delegates, the Hon. E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, said:

“Despite the challenges we face, small states continue to demonstrate innovation, resilience and leadership. To unlock our full potential, we must deepen partnerships and mobilise greater investment. The theme of this meeting is therefore both timely and essential. Let us use this opportunity to advance practical solutions, strengthen partnerships, and champion the interests of our small states with a united voice”.

The 23^rd Volume of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s flagship report, Small States Economic Review and Basic Statistics, which takes as its theme “Beyond Resilience to Strategic Relevance: The Future of Small States”, was launched during the ministerial by the Secretary General.

Key findings from the report show that small states have a growing potential as destinations for investment and innovation, despite their economic and climate vulnerabilities. The report also highlights that new approaches such as pooling projects and procurement can create economies of scale, while public-backed financing can reduce investment risk, lower costs and attract more private capital to sustainable sectors.

Key insights from the report include the following:

Foreign direct investment reached 5.7% of GDP in 2024, underlining the importance of international investment to small state economies.
Remittances remain a vital source of finance, accounting for 5.6% of GDP across Commonwealth small states in 2024.
Small states are leading innovation in digital and sustainable finance, including central bank digital currencies, green bonds and blue bonds.
Public-private partnerships are an important investment opportunity, with 90 infrastructure projects involving private participation recorded across 21 small states between 1990 and 2024.

The outcomes of the meeting will be presented to Heads of Government in their executive session and will inform the post-CHOGM 2026 agenda on partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth. It will also guide the Commonwealth Secretariat’s small states advocacy strategy, which amplifies their priorities and perspectives at major international platforms.