ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Crown Counsel within the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Zachary Phillips, will serve as the Legal Coordinator for 2026 for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a leading negotiating bloc representing the interests of small island and low-lying coastal states in global climate discussions.
AOSIS is an intergovernmental organization established to amplify the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Zachary Phillips
Phillips is expected to provide legal and strategic guidance to AOSIS leadership and negotiators, supporting the articulation of unified legal positions and ensuring consistency across negotiations.
A government statement said his responsibilities will include contributing to the development of legal frameworks, advising on negotiation strategies, and assisting in drafting and reviewing legal texts and proposals.
Phillips is also expected to participate in key international climate meetings, including the Subsidiary Body sessions (SB64) in Bonn and the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), where AOSIS continues to advocate for stronger global climate action and equitable outcomes for vulnerable states.
”AOSIS has long played a pivotal role in shaping international climate policy, successfully advancing the concerns of small island nations within the United Nations system and global negotiations,” the statement said.
The government said that Phillip’s employment “reflects both the high regard for Antigua and Barbuda’s legal expertise and the country’s continued leadership in international climate diplomacy. It also underscores the critical role that Caribbean professionals play in advancing the interests of small island states on the global stage.”
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