Browne: International partners covered 80% of CHOGM costs

By Azara Lavia
azara.lavia@antiguaobserver.com
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that Antigua and Barbuda secured nearly $20 million in grants and contributions towards hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), with international assistance covering at least 80 per cent of the estimated direct costs.
Speaking on Saturday on a private radio station, Browne defended the Government’s spending on the summit, pointing to financial contributions from foreign governments, development institutions and private-sector partners.
The PM described CHOGM 2026 as a historic achievement for Antigua and Barbuda, expressing confidence that its benefits would extend well beyond the event.
“I’m very happy. In fact, I think it has lifted Antigua and Barbuda significantly. In fact, this CHOGM has been the most consequential event to have happened on Antiguan soil in its history. And as I said, the post-CHOGM benefits will be enormous.”
Responding to questions about the cost of hosting the meeting, Browne explained that the estimated expenditure of just over $20 million did not include major infrastructure projects already incorporated into the Government’s development programme.
He cited Conference Road, on which approximately $10 million was spent constructing several miles of concrete roadway.
According to the Prime Minister, the road would have been built regardless of CHOGM, although the project was accelerated to facilitate the summit.
He said work on the former Deluxe building, which was transformed into a performing arts centre, was also accelerated to accommodate CHOGM activities.
Browne acknowledged that the Government had incurred additional expenses purchasing vehicles and meeting other logistical requirements but maintained that grants and donations had offset a substantial portion of the expenditure.
“So if we estimate the costs, let’s say just over $20 million, what has happened is that because of our connectivity, we were able to raise at least 80% of the amounts that were spent in the form of grants.”
The Prime Minister disclosed that Philip Morris contributed $4.5 million towards converting the former Deluxe building into a performing arts centre.
The United Arab Emirates provided approximately $1 million towards the project.
India also provided US$1 million, equivalent to approximately EC$2.7 million, which Browne said was used to purchase motorcycles and executive vans for the summit.
He explained that most of the motorcycles used during CHOGM belonged to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, as did the executive vehicles acquired for official transportation.
These assets, he said, would remain available for future conferences and other government activities.
Browne also suggested that Antigua and Barbuda could assist other Caribbean Community countries by lending motorcycles for similar international events.
The Prime Minister further revealed that several organisations contributed £100,000 each towards CHOGM-related side events.
He identified the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank and other institutions among the contributors.
Browne also outlined financial and security assistance from Commonwealth governments.
“The Government of the UK, in addition to all the training that they provided and the security support, they gave us 150,000 pounds. Government of Australia gave us $250,000. Canada gave us, I think, about $200,000 or $250,000 as well.”
He said the value of security assistance provided by the United Kingdom and Canada was not included in his calculation of the contributions received.
According to Browne, the various grants and donations totalled nearly $20 million, significantly reducing the direct financial burden of hosting the summit.
The PM attributed the Government’s ability to mobilise the funding to international relationships cultivated over several years.
He recalled encouraging government ministers and parliamentarians shortly after assuming office in 2014 to expand their networks and leverage those connections for the benefit of Antigua and Barbuda.
Browne maintained that this approach had been critical to securing the financial support necessary to host CHOGM.
“But if we didn’t have this level of connectivity, we would not be able to raise that kind of money. We would not be able to host CHOGM.”
The Prime Minister also recalled that the possibility of Antigua and Barbuda hosting CHOGM was first raised with him at a Commonwealth summit in Kigali, Rwanda, approximately two meetings earlier.
He said that after considering the potential costs, he was confident that the Government could mobilise the necessary funding through its international partnerships.
Browne maintained that the grants and other assistance had allowed the country to stage a major international event while limiting the amount drawn from the Treasury.
He also highlighted the lasting value of the infrastructure improvements, conference facilities and vehicles acquired, or upgraded, in preparation for CHOGM.
The Prime Minister insisted that the summit had significantly raised Antigua and Barbuda’s international profile and expressed confidence that the relationships forged and opportunities generated would deliver further benefits for the country.