ST. JOHN, Antigua and Barbuda – 1stJanuary 2026…….Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston A. Browne, has called on citizens and residents to enter 2026 with discipline, optimism, sacrifice, and collective resolve, as the nation builds on what he described as a year of progress and prosperity and turns success into lasting national resilience.
In his New Year’s Address to the Nation, the Prime Minister said Antigua and Barbuda begins the year “more confident, more hopeful, and more prosperous” than at any other moment in the country’s history, anchored by a “people-centred economy” and social progress that is advancing with purpose.
Prime Minister Browne acknowledged shifting global currents and geopolitical developments that affect small states, including the recent decision by the United States restricting the issuance of new visas for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda. He reassured the public that existing U.S. visas remain valid and confirmed that Government has already begun constructive engagement and technical work to establish an orderly mechanism for new visa issuance.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to respectful diplomacy and its long-standing relationship with the United States, as the country works to safeguard national interests amid the wider U.S. policy changes affecting a number of countries.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to CARICOM, noting that while differences may arise among regional partners, unity and mutual respect remain essential for small states navigating global challenges.
Calling for the nation to rise above division, misinformation and petty quarrels, the Prime Minister urged Antiguans and Barbudans to see themselves as one family and to choose unity over conflict. He also emphasized civic pride, cleanliness, entrepreneurship, skills development, lifelong learning and a national culture of excellence as central to building a stronger stakeholder society and sustaining growth.
The Prime Minister ended by expressing confidence that with solidarity, discipline and commitment to peace, love and unity, Antigua and Barbuda can continue to advance as a resilient, competitive and globally admired nation.
