Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers says Trinidad and Tobago used its participation at the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda to advance key national priorities while securing greater international support for the country’s development agenda.
In a statement in the Lower House on Friday, he said the country raised concerns about climate change and called for increased investment in key sectors.
“As a small island state sharing the burden that accompanies climate change, Trinidad and Tobago called for and received commitments for accelerated access to climate finance, loss and damage funding, and investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resilient infrastructure. Trade investment and economic diversification: Under the CHOGM theme of partnerships and investment, Trinidad and Tobago promoted our country as a stable competitive destination for investment in energy, manufacturing, creative industries, tourism, agriculture, and the digital economy.”
He said the delegation also highlighted concerns about the vulnerability of small island states.
“In line with Trinidad and Tobago’s impending advocacy in the United Nations Security Council, we raised the protection of energy and food infrastructure in armed conflict and in times of disaster and the importance of resilient food systems for small island states. We called for greater Commonwealth cooperation on food production, storage, logistics, and emergency preparedness so that no Commonwealth citizen faces hunger because of conflict, climate shocks, or supply chain disruption.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Commonwealth leaders adopted a communiqué outlining areas for continued cooperation and collective action among Member States.
“Leaders committed to the following: Accelerating partnerships and investment for sustainable development of the focus on small states, strengthening climate resilience and support implementation of climate commitments ahead of COP 31, advancing ocean governance and the sustainability of the blue economy, supporting youth empowerment, gender equality, and health systems.”
The Minister said Trinidad and Tobago also participated in discussions on reparatory justice, and acknowledged a new commitment by the United Kingdom on the issue.