On 21 May, SMI Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Jordan-Saifi and members of the SMI leadership team met with officials from Antigua and Barbuda, including the Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, Michael Freeland, the Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe, Cherrie Osborne and Third Secretary at the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission, Caleb Gardiner.

Discussions centred on how the two parties could develop practical, investment-ready initiatives that could be showcased at CHOGM and deliver lasting impact beyond the summit – directly aligned with the meeting's theme of “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”

During the meeting, Minister Freeland expressed Antigua and Barbuda’s interest in innovation and international investment, and welcomed the SMI network as a strategic partner to turn ambitions into action.

Director Osborne highlighted the impact of sargassum on coastal communities and tourism activity, linking discussions to the SMI's proposals for commercial applications of sargassum as a route to both environmental protection and economic opportunity.

Several areas for future collaboration were identified, including sargassum management and reutilization, disaster-risk insurance for climate-vulnerable nations, Barbuda’s green transition, renewable energy projects, port modernization, electric mobility infrastructure, and coral reef restoration initiatives.

CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) will take place 1-4 November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda and is expected to focus heavily on innovative financing and partnerships aimed at driving sustainable and inclusive development across member states. The SMI will attend the conference to drive private sector action and accelerate the transition to sustainable global economy.