Antigua and Barbuda has officially opened its Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a pivotal step in the Caribbean nation’s push to deepen its diplomatic and economic engagement in the Gulf and beyond.
The Embassy was inaugurated on Wednesday during a ceremony attended by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, E.P. Chet Greene, and hosted by Ambassador Gilbert Boustany, the country’s first resident envoy to the UAE. Representing the host nation were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, alongside other senior officials, diplomats, and invited guests.
In his feature address, Greene called the opening “a landmark in Antigua and Barbuda’s foreign relations agenda,” noting it as a concrete sign of the country’s intention to build meaningful ties with the UAE.
“This is more than a ceremonial inauguration; it is a tangible declaration of our intent to forge lasting, meaningful ties with the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
Praising the UAE’s accomplishments in sustainability, innovation, and diplomacy, Greene described the Gulf state as a model for nations like Antigua and Barbuda: “It is this spirit of ambition and resilience that we admire and strive to emulate.”
Ambassador Boustany underscored the Embassy’s broader significance beyond diplomacy.
“This Embassy is more than a diplomatic mission. It is a gateway for strategic collaboration, cultural exchange, and shared innovation,” he said. “We envision a future of joint action — one that delivers real results for our people and advances mutual interests.”
Boustany also reflected on over a decade of relationship-building in the UAE and expressed his appreciation to the Emirati government for its continued friendship and support.
The opening of the Embassy not only strengthens bilateral relations but also positions Antigua and Barbuda as a connector between the Caribbean and regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Asia — enhancing its role within the Global South.
Wednesday’s ceremony brought together top-level officials from both nations, as well as stakeholders in diplomacy, international trade, and the energy sector.
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