Antigua and Barbuda High Commission UK

Congratulations to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority on a phenomenal presentation of Antigua and Barbuda on MasterChef UK! 🇦🇬✨

Our rich cuisine, vibrant culture, and warm island spirit were showcased in a truly outstanding way, giving viewers a taste of what makes our twin-island paradise so special.

Special commendations to Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism for the UK & Europe, whose leadership and dedication continue to elevate Antigua and Barbuda's presence on the international stage.

Well done to everyone involved in this fantastic achievement!

Insightful meeting with Dr. Jonas Moberg, Chair of the Green Hydrogen Organisation, Andrew H***e, Head of Fortescue Marine Systems and Green Shipping at Fortescue, and colleagues to discuss the decarbonisation of international shipping.

Antigua and Barbuda was pleased to welcome the Fortescue Green Pioneer to our shores in February—the world's first dual-fuel, ammonia-powered marine vessel. High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill commended Fortescue, along with its Founder and Executive Chairman, Dr. Andrew Forrest, for investing in this groundbreaking technology and demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.

We look forward to continuing these important discussions and advancing partnerships that support a cleaner, more sustainable future, including at CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.

Constructive meeting with Arieh Miller, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Jewish Council.

An important opportunity to discuss the role of interfaith collaboration in fostering greater understanding, mutual respect, and unity across our diverse communities.

Through dialogue and partnership, we can continue building stronger connections and advancing shared values throughout the Commonwealth.

Thank you to Dr. David Jones, Chair of the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations IFCO and the members of IFCO for a wide-ranging and meaningful discussion on the vital work of Commonwealth Accredited Organisations.

These 97 organisations represent the third pillar of the Commonwealth, supporting and amplifying the values, initiatives, and impact of the Commonwealth across our diverse family of nations. Through their work, they strengthen civil society and help improve the lives of people throughout the Commonwealth.

Antigua and Barbuda looks forward to welcoming representatives of these organisations to CHOGM 2026 this November as we continue to strengthen and accelerate these important partnerships.

High Commissioner H.E. Karen-Mae Hill was pleased to receive Antigua and Barbuda's candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, during a courtesy call at the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London on 29 May 2026.

H.E. Espinosa Garcés, who presided over the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 2018 to September 2019, was in London engaging with key stakeholders as part of ongoing efforts to build international support for her candidacy.

The discussions highlighted the importance of multilateralism, inclusive leadership, and the role of small states in shaping global governance.

The High Commission of Antigua and Barbuda in London stands willing and committed to supporting H.E. Espinosa Garcés in her engagement efforts and wishes her every success in her campaign.

🇦🇬 CHOGM 2026 Preparations Gain Momentum

Antigua and Barbuda is entering the final five months before hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and preparations are advancing steadily.

The National CHOGM Task Force, chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, met today to review progress across key areas including accreditation, accommodation, security, transportation, communications, protocol, and forum planning.

✅ Accreditation training begins this month
✅ Over 800 rooms secured
✅ Engagement underway with 48 Commonwealth countries
✅ Volunteer Programme launching in June
 
A major milestone ahead is the Commonwealth recce from 7–13 June 2026, when officials will assess venues and logistics while experiencing Antigua and Barbuda’s culture, heritage, sustainability initiatives, and renowned hospitality.

The Task Force also reviewed the ongoing “Road to CHOGM” public awareness campaign, designed to keep citizens and the diaspora informed and engaged as the nation prepares to welcome leaders and delegates from across the Commonwealth.

 
📅 CHOGM 2026 will be held in Antigua and Barbuda from 1–4 November 2026 under the theme:

“Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”

  OneCaribbean

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Aziz Hadeed.

For as many years as I can remember, I would visit him in his office on Old Parham Road and spend hours engaged in conversation on a wide range of topics, including local and regional politics, business, and geopolitics. His intellect and memory were always a marvel to me. He had the uncanny ability to recall names, places, and dates with remarkable accuracy.

More than a source of wisdom, he was a friend and trusted adviser. I will miss his presence, his sage advice, and his wit. I will also miss his unwavering love for Antigua and Barbuda and its people. He spoke of his country with immense pride and affection, and he deeply cherished his role as one of our leading statesmen in business, philanthropy, and scholarship.

It was my honour to join the Hadeed family and friends in London last October for his pre-knighthood celebratory dinner. He was in fine form and clearly enjoyed every moment of the evening, surrounded by people who knew, loved, and admired him.

Just last month, Sir Aziz visited the Potters Sports Field Development Project to assess its progress and view the site where a stand he had commissioned in memory of his father would be erected. He shared with me how his parents, Fares and Ramza Hadeed, settled in Potters after migrating to Antigua and Barbuda in 1958, and how they welcomed villagers into their home, often providing food, water, clothing, and furniture. This tradition of generosity was carried on by Sir Aziz and his siblings throughout their lives. It is my hope that his vision for this monument will be honoured and that it may one day bear the name of the Sir Aziz Hadeed Pavilion, serving as a lasting reminder of his connection to Potters and its people.

Sir Aziz was also a dedicated supporter of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra. When approached for assistance in establishing an academy of music for our nation's young people, he generously donated a parcel of land for that purpose. His support also extended to providing containers that were retrofitted to store ABYSO equipment and materials.

As the Hadeed family mourns, the nation mourns with them. I mourn the loss of one of our greatest national figures and a cherished mentor. Sir Aziz was great not simply because he was successful. He was great because he understood that the highest calling in life is service to humanity.

May he rest in peace, knowing that his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the many contributions he made to Antigua and Barbuda.

My deepest sympathies to the Hadeed family and all who loved him.

— Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill
High Commissioner

It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I bid farewell to an extraordinary servant of youth, music, and education.

Dr. Renee Smith and I enjoyed a close friendship ever since we met in 1989 in First Form at the Antigua Girls' High School.

She was part of the amazing AGHS Choir, which, in my mind, was a world-class choir with world-class singers, and she was certainly one of them. We shared a love of music and a strong foundation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Smith had the ability to transform music—and young people performing music—into something epic and beautiful, with a precise focus on enunciation, tone, and interpretation. She was a first-class choir leader, and this excellence translated into every aspect of her work.

Dr. Smith was more than a choir leader. She held a special love for each of her students. They, in turn, loved her and were extremely protective and supportive of her. She was the type who served consistently away from the camera, giving her all without self-promotion and without seeking the approval of others. It was genuine service and giving. It was never about show or posturing for positions of power.

Her visit to London in 2018 with the National Youth Choir was a moment of immense national pride. She conducted a choir that wowed audiences in a city renowned for its rich musical tradition and excellence.

I extend my deepest sympathies to her family—to her father, Garfield; her siblings, Marissa, Clentdale, and Cimarron; to her family within the choirs she served; to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Parham and across Antigua and Barbuda; to her colleagues at her place of work; and to our AGHS Class of 1994 and her extended family and friends.

Rest in peace, my dear sister and cherished friend.

As you would sing, with a beauty and pathos that were unmatched:

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see how they could._
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth.
Our Father knows what's best for us.
His ways are not our own.
So when your pathway grows dim.
And you just can't see Him. Remember you're never alone_

God is too wise to be mistaken*
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart.

He sees the Master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don't live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him.

With love and gratitude for a life lived musically,

Her Excellency
High Commissioner Karen Mae Hill

National Youth Choir of Antigua and Barbuda A film I was commissioned to make about the National Youth Choir of Antigua and Barbuda's visit to London; showcasing an evening of music & what it took to m...

🏏🇦🇬 Young Antiguan cricketer Matthew Miller is making a strong impression in England as the first recipient of the Antigua & Barbuda–Bede’s School cricket scholarship.

So far this season, Matthew has scored 463 runs, including a century, while also taking 15 wickets — showcasing his all-round talent on the international stage 👏

High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill praised his progress, noting that his success reflects the importance of creating opportunities for young Antiguans and Barbudans through sport, education, and international partnerships.

Matthew continues to represent Antigua and Barbuda with pride in the UK 🇬🇧