IMF: Antigua Needs More Climate Resilience Investments

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stressed the urgent need for Antigua and Barbuda to scale up investments in climate resilience, warning that the country’s economic stability remains vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change.

In its 2025 Article IV consultation, the IMF identified resilience-building and sustainable development funding as critical to the nation’s long-term growth and financial security.

Antigua and Barbuda, like many small island developing states (SIDS), faces heightened exposure to extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other climate-related risks.

The IMF noted that these hazards pose direct threats to infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and public health—core pillars of the country’s economy.

While the government made progress in reducing nominal debt in 2024, the IMF cautioned that limited fiscal space, combined with outstanding arrears, could constrain Antigua and Barbuda’s ability to invest adequately in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The IMF recommended that Antigua and Barbuda prioritize securing concessional financing, green bonds, and climate-focused grants to fund necessary resilience infrastructure.

It also underscored the importance of improving public financial management and revenue collection to create room for climate investment without increasing debt vulnerability.

Strengthening institutional capacity, integrating climate risks into development planning, and ensuring transparency in the use of climate-related funds were identified as key components of a successful strategy.

The IMF further encouraged Antigua and Barbuda to align fiscal and investment policies with its broader climate and development goals. This includes building resilient infrastructure, safeguarding water and energy systems, and protecting coastal zones.

With the climate crisis expected to intensify, the IMF’s assessment serves as a reminder that sustainable development is not only an environmental priority but an economic necessity.

Investing in resilience today, the report suggests, will reduce long-term costs and help shield Antigua and Barbuda from future shocks.

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