Antwon Walkin Makes History at UK Diplomatic Conference

Antwon Walkin, a National Youth Parliamentarian from the Turks and Caicos Islands, has made history after earning top honours at a prestigious diplomatic conference in the United Kingdom.  

During the event, Walkin was elected Chairman of the Ubuntu Group of Countries and later received the Most Outstanding Diplomat Award, distinguishing himself as one of the youngest, if not the youngest, trained diplomats in the Caribbean region. 

The conference, hosted by Best Diplomats UK, focused on Diplomatic Training and United Nations Simulation and brought together emerging global leaders to debate Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Fair Labour Practices. In addition to his election as chairman, Walkin was also awarded certification for the successful completion of diplomatic training, recognizing his leadership, negotiation skills, and policy advocacy throughout the simulation. 

In keeping with conference rules that prohibit participants from representing their home countries, Walkin represented Barbados. His leadership quickly stood out among delegates, leading to his selection as Chairman of the Ubuntu Group of Countries, a coalition of Caribbean and African partner states. 

Under his chairmanship, the delegation emphasized the importance of fair labour standards, accountability for multinational corporations that violate human rights through exploitative sweatshop practices, and acknowledgment of the role played by governments in factory-dominant countries that allow inhumane working conditions to persist. 

One of the major outcomes of the conference was the passage of the Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement Resolution, which was approved by a decisive two-thirds majority under Walkin’s leadership. 

His participation also marked a historic milestone, as he became the first Turks and Caicos Islander ever invited to the Best Diplomats UK seminar. Walkin’s achievement underscores the growing influence of Turks and Caicos youth in international diplomacy and global policy discussions. 

The accomplishment stands as a powerful testament to Caribbean youth leadership shaping global conversations on human rights, ethical corporate responsibility, and sustainable development.