At the AIFOD Geneva Summit 2026, held 12-14 August at the Assembly Hall of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “Small Takes the Lead,” the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) conferred the title of Honorary Professor of Practice on the Honorable Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Immigration and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda. The title was presented by AIUB's delegation to the summit - Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, Board Member and Former Vice Chancellor of AIUB, and Professor Dr. Dip Nandi, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, convened in partnership with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the same government whose collaboration with AIFOD brought together more than 900 leaders - ministers, founders, researchers, and civil-society voices - from over 142 nations across the globe.

A Distinguished Career in Global Diplomacy

Minister Greene brings more than a decade of parliamentary and ministerial experience to his current portfolio, having served Antigua and Barbuda across trade, sport, culture, and community development before taking on his present role overseeing the nation's foreign affairs, trade, immigration, and Barbuda affairs. He has served in Cabinet since 2014 and has led the nation's foreign policy since 2018, building a diplomatic network spanning more than 155 states. In recent years, he has become one of the Caribbean's most prominent voices on digital transformation and AI governance, representing Small Island Developing States in forums where the future of artificial intelligence is being shaped - including previous AIFOD summits, where he has argued that AI governance is not merely a technical question for small nations but one of economic survival and self-determination. More broadly, he has championed the voice of small island developing states on climate finance, trade, and multilateral reform, becoming one of the region's most recognized statesmen on the international stage.

Recognizing a Voice for the Global South

AIUB's decision to honor Minister Greene reflects the alignment between his advocacy and the Geneva Summit's own message that “Small Takes the Lead.” Minister Greene has consistently pressed the case that small and developing nations must be active architects of AI systems that reflect their own values, languages, and priorities - rather than passive recipients of technologies designed elsewhere. The recognition also highlights his broader contribution to public service, international diplomacy, and development, particularly in areas relevant to the advancement of developing countries - a record that, together with his role in deepening the partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and AIFOD, made him a natural choice for an honor that AIUB reserves for leaders whose work extends the university's own mission beyond the classroom.

The Honour

Presenting the title on behalf of the university, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna and Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi formally conferred the Honorary Professor of Practice title on Minister Greene, dated 13 August 2026. The honor recognizes Minister Greene's distinguished statesmanship and reflects AIUB's commitment to building partnerships between academia and global leadership.

“This recognition is a small gesture for a leader who has spent years insisting that small nations be treated as architects of AI, not just consumers of it,” said Dr. Lamagna. “AIUB is honored to welcome Minister Greene into our academic community.”

“It is a privilege to be recognized by an institution that shares the same conviction - that the Global South must help write the rules of the AI era, not simply follow them,” said Minister Greene. “I accept this honor on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, and of every small nation determined to lead rather than wait.”

As Honorary Professor of Practice, Minister Greene joins AIUB's academic community in a role that recognizes distinguished practitioners whose real-world leadership complements the university's teaching and research. The award adds to the Minister's growing international recognition as he continues to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the global stage.

Looking Ahead

The conferral builds on the existing partnership between AIUB and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda through AIFOD, and signals AIUB's continued commitment to recognizing and working alongside leaders who are shaping how the Global South engages with artificial intelligence. AIUB looks forward to Minister Greene's continued engagement with the university community, and to deepening this relationship in the months ahead.