Antigua and Barbuda recently welcomed the Global Infrastructure Resilience (GIR) Report 2025 at COP30. The country stressed the need for easy and affordable financing to help vulnerable nations put the report’s recommendations into action. Ambassador Ruleta Camacho-Thomas highlighted that while the report shows important data on infrastructure risks, its value depends on whether countries can get the funds to build real resilience.

The GIR Report reveals that global losses from infrastructure damage exceed $700 billion each year. It also shows that indirect costs, like disrupted services, are far higher than direct damage. The report emphasizes that quicker rebuilding can lessen economic losses. For instance, rebuilding within four years cuts annual GDP losses to just 2.3 percent, compared to much higher losses when reconstruction takes longer.

Antigua and Barbuda pointed out that climate change is already making life harder for people in the Caribbean. Without affordable financing, families struggle to repair or strengthen their homes against disasters, which deepens poverty and vulnerability. Small island nations face greater risks because they rely heavily on a few key infrastructure assets. The report calls for a mix of funding tools, including grants, insurance, and credit lines, to support resilience efforts.

Ambassador Camacho-Thomas urged global partners to ensure that vulnerable countries have real access to the resources needed. She said the GIR Report offers tools and evidence, but action depends on closing the financing gap. This will help protect communities and economies from growing climate threats.