The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is leveraging the global platform of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026), underway in Antigua and Barbuda, to advance its Big Push Agenda, strengthen strategic partnerships, and position the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) as a region of investment opportunity, innovation, and shared prosperity.
As a platinum sponsor of the 14th Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) 2026, taking place from November 2–4 at the Sticky Wicket/Coolidge Cricket Ground, the ECCB is showcasing its Strategic Plan 2026–2031, The Big Push: Collective Action for Shared Prosperity in the ECCU, while engaging global stakeholders on opportunities to accelerate the region’s economic transformation.
A key feature of the ECCB’s participation is Governor Timothy N.J. Antoine’s involvement in two high-level engagements addressing issues central to the region’s economic future: international trade and cross-border financial connectivity.
On Day 1, Monday, 2 November, Governor Antoine delivered remarks during the inaugural plenary session, A New Era of Commonwealth Trade, held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sir Viv Richards Plenary Stage. The session explored how the Commonwealth Advantage can strengthen economies and unlock a new era of growth as rising tariffs, protectionism, and declining trust reshape the global economy.
The Business Forum, held alongside CHOGM, brings together Heads of Government, Ministers, business leaders, and representatives of civil society and youth organisations from across the Commonwealth’s 56 member states. The significance of this year’s gathering is further underscored by the presence of His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth, and Her Majesty Queen Camilla in Antigua and Barbuda. King Charles is scheduled to deliver the opening address to Commonwealth Heads of Government on Tuesday, 3 November.
On Day 3, Wednesday, 4 November, Governor Antoine will chair the Central Bank Governors’ Roundtable, a special-invitation engagement scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Sir Andy Roberts Breakout Room. The roundtable will convene central bank governors and business leaders to explore how payments innovation and cross-border connectivity can facilitate trade and investment. Opening remarks will be delivered by CEO of De La Rue, Clive Vacher.
“The Big Push is about thinking bigger, moving faster and acting together,” said Governor Antoine, highlighting the significance of CHOGM 2026 for the ECCU.
“It is about transforming stability into resilience; potential into productivity; vulnerability into value; and regional ambition into shared prosperity. The central question for the CHOGM engagement is therefore: What could we achieve together that we cannot achieve alone?” he added.
Six of the eight ECCU member territories – Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – are independent Commonwealth member states. The Commonwealth is also home to 33 of the world’s 42 small states and a population of approximately 2.7 billion people, more than 60 per cent of whom are aged 29 and under.
Through its participation in the Commonwealth Business Forum, the ECCB seeks to build strategic partnerships, mobilise investment, and advance practical initiatives that strengthen resilience and foster shared prosperity across the ECCU.
