United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in MCO Trinidad and Tobago:

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21 January 2026

UN Resident Coordinator Concludes Mission to Sint Maarten

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, Joanna Kazana, concluded a four-day mission to Sint Maarten from Tuesday, 13 January to Friday, 16 January, reaffirming the United Nations’ partnership with the Government and people of Sint Maarten.During her mission, RC Kazana held discussions with senior Government officials, development partners, environmental experts and United Nations agencies in support of national priorities aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).A Landmark for Justice Reform: Groundbreaking of the New Point Blanche Correctional FacilityA central moment of the mission was the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Point Blanche Correctional Facility on Thursday, 15 January, marking a major milestone in Sint Maarten’s ongoing Detention Sector Reform Program.The new correctional facility is being constructed under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice, with building works implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The project represents a joint investment of US $52 million from the Government of Sint Maarten and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands. However, the reform is not about infrastructure alone. In parallel with construction, the United Nations is supporting Sint Maarten to modernise the detention system through a comprehensive package of “soft” reforms focused on human rights, rehabilitation and institutional capacity.Through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN is working with national authorities on staff training for prison guards, stronger legal frameworks, rehabilitation and reintegration programming, education pathways and mental health and psychosocial support systems. These initiatives aim to mobilise meaningful change in systems and approaches before the new building is completed, grounding a reinvigorated commitment to rehabilitation and human dignity in the reform of the detention sector.“This groundbreaking marks a long-awaited turning point in the reform of Sint Maarten’s detention system," Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, said during the groundbreaking ceremony. It speaks to our responsibility to the people who live, work within, and are affected by that system every day — our prison staff, our inmates, and the wider community. This facility represents a future built on fair second chances, stronger institutions, and detention conditions that uphold international standards, ensuring justice is served with humanity, integrity, and purpose.” Reflecting on the significance of the partnership between the UN, the Governments of Sint Maarten and the Netherlands, and detention sector authorities, Ms. Kazana stated:“This kind of partnership is really a beacon of hope, a beacon of very concrete work that the United Nations will continue to do in the name of human rights, in the name of justice, in the name of equality.”UNOPS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Dalila Gonçalves, emphasized that the facility lays the foundation for a “more humane, resilient and forward-looking justice system."Covering approximately 10,000 square metres, the four-storey facility will more than double the country’s current detention capacity, providing space for up to 196 inmates.The new correctional facility will include healthcare facilities, a basic mental health unit, family visitation areas, vocational training workshops and classrooms, as well as indoor and outdoor recreational spaces.The building will be engineered to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and seismic activity, using reinforced concrete and corrosion-resistant materials. The existing prison was damaged when Hurricane Irma hit Sint Maarten in 2017, with repairs being subsequently undertaken.Construction is expected to take approximately three years and will employ an average of more than 100 workers daily, supporting local livelihoods and economic activity.Strategic UN–Government Dialogue on National PrioritiesAs part of the mission, RC Kazana co-chaired a high-level Strategic UN–Government Meeting with the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, bringing together senior Cabinet members and representatives of United Nations agencies.The meeting served as a platform to review the findings of the 2026 Common Country Analysis for Sint Maarten, the UN's independent analysis of the development challenges and opportunities in Sint Maarten. Discussions also focused on national development priorities, particularly where the UN's technical expertise can accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Exploring Sint Maarten’s First UNESCO Man and the Biosphere ReserveOn Friday, 16 January, Ms. Kazana visited Fort Amsterdam to learn more about the UNESCO National Commission's efforts to establish Sint Maarten’s first Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Reserve.The proposed site would include surrounding marine and coastal ecosystems and would bring Sint Maarten into a globally recognised network of areas that serve as learning laboratories for sustainable development.Biosphere Reserves promote interdisciplinary approaches to better understand and manage the interaction between people and nature. They support biodiversity conservation, ecosystem stewardship, sustainable livelihoods, and peaceful, inclusive development. Strengthening PartnershipsRC Kazana held bilateral discussions with Minister Tackling alongside the UNOPS Regional Director, Ms. Gonçalves. The meeting focused on Sint Maarten's objectives and efforts to advance detention sector reform. Additionally, RC Kazana met with World Bank Program Manager for the Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund, Ms. Toyin Jagha. Discussions explored the World Bank's work to support Sint Maarten's recovery after Hurricane Irma, with a particular focus on the World Bank's projects on waste management and health infrastructure and systems. The upcoming Knowledge and Results Fair in February 2026 was highlighted as an important method of communicating the outcomes of the World Bank's work to the Sint Maarten population. Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Conversations with the MediaFacilitating interviews with the local media was a high priority for RC Kazana during her mission to Sint Maarten. Journalists from the People's Tribune and Sint Maarten News Now were invited to conduct one-on-one interviews on a wide range of topics, including the UN's work in Sint Maarten, the progress on construction of the Point Blanche correctional facility and the needs of migrants and refugees living on the island. RC Kazana's first visit to the Dutch Caribbean in 2026 highlighted the deep commitment of her office, and the United Nations as a whole, to partnering with national stakeholders as they chart their sustainable development aspirations and progress. Information gained during the visit will shape the UN's programming in Sint Maarten in 2026 and beyond.

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05 January 2026

UN Secretary General's Statement to the UN Security Council on Venezuela

Under-Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, addressed a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, 5 January, 2026, on threats to international peace and security regarding the situation in Venezuela. She read a statement from UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. The following is the text of that statement:Mr. President, Members of the Security Council. We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The broad outlines of the events of Saturday have been widely reported. Early that day, US forces were active across Caracas and in the northern states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. The extent of casualties resulting from these actions remains undetermined. In a statement on social media on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced the conduct of a “large scale strike against Venezuela, and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro”. During a press conference on Saturday, President Trump stated: “We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition”. The Government of Venezuela has characterized the United States action as a military aggression carried out in civilian and military areas, and as a flagrant violation of the Charter, posing a threat to international and regional peace and security. As we speak, President Maduro is being held in New York accused by US authorities, along with his wife Cilia Flores, of serious criminal offenses. What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela. I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted. Mr President, The situation in Venezuela has been a matter of regional and international concern for many years now. Attention on the country only grew following the contested presidential elections in July 2024. The panel of electoral experts I appointed at the Venezuelan Government’s request to accompany the elections highlighted serious issues. We have consistently called for full transparency and the complete publication of the results of the elections. As we reported to the Council on 23 December, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has catalogued serious violations. On 3 January, Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez invoked an emergency decree throughout the national territory extending additional security powers to the government. Mr. President, The latest developments follow a period of heightened tensions, beginning in mid-August, as discussed in this Council on two previous occasions. I have consistently stressed the imperative of full respect, by all, for international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, which provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security. I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the 3 January military action. The Charter enshrines the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all the provisions of the Charter. Mr. President, Venezuela has experienced decades of internal instability and social and economic turmoil. Democracy has been undermined. Millions of its people have fled the country. The situation is critical, but it is still possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration. I call on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future. This entails the full respect of human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people. I also urge Venezuela’s neighbors, and the international community more broadly, to act in a spirit of solidarity and in adherence to the principles, laws and rules erected to promote peaceful coexistence. I welcome and am ready to support all efforts aimed at assisting Venezuelans in finding a peaceful way forward. Mr. President, Excellencies, In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles.Respect for the UN Charter and all other applicable legal frameworks to safeguard peace and security.Respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states. The prohibition of the threat or use of force.The power of the law must prevail. International law contains tools to address issues such as illicit traffic in narcotics, disputes about resources and human rights concerns. This is the route we need to take. Thank you. Read more here: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166701

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A UN Under-Secretary General sits at a meeting table in front of a microphone to deliver a statement at the UN Security Council

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15 December 2025

2025 ACM: Shifting Gears from Vulnerability to Resilience

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago — Caribbean governments gathered for the 2025 Annual Coordination Meeting (ACM) to discuss progress in implementation of the UN Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Caribbean (UNMSDCF) and set clear long-term priorities for the future partnership. They delivered a clear mandate to the United Nations to strengthen multilateralism and work on sustainable development, calling for continued UN support on climate resilience and disaster risk management, economic diversification, human capital development, digital transformation and citizen security. The meeting marked a milestone in the collective Caribbean effort to accelerate development before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Held in Port of Spain on December 10, the ACM brought together representatives from 16 signatory countries and CARICOM to shape the direction of the next UNMSDCF for 2027–2031—the UN’s strategic focus for development support across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. The priorities articulated during the 2025 ACM closely link UN system support with the ambitions of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), adopted in 2024. From climate-resilient infrastructure to blue and green economies, digital public services and shock-responsive social protection, governments used the 2025 ACM to underscore that ABAS is now shaping national and regional expectations for UN cooperation. The ACM translated these global SIDS commitments into concrete, region-specific priorities—reinforcing ABAS as a practical agenda for delivery.In 2024, the combined investment of the UN development system in the Caribbean under the current UNMSDCF for 2022-2026 was approximately US $200 million, representing a continued upward trend in funding mobilization. Details on the UN’s regional delivery were captured in a newly-released Regional Results Report, an unprecedented Caribbean-wide snapshot that outlines the UN’s work across six United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs): Belize; Guyana; Jamaica (covering five Member states); Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Islands; and the Eastern Caribbean (based in Barbados, covering ten Member States and overseas territories).Speaking during the ACM opening ceremony, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator Dr. the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, reflected on progress under the current UNMSDCF while underscoring the region’s ambition for the next phase of cooperation.“As we reflect on what has been achieved under the current MSDCF, we acknowledge meaningful progress across the region. These achievements reflect the value of what we can achieve when global expertise and national priorities are aligned,” Minister Swaratsingh said. “The next Cooperation Framework will mark the shift from vulnerability to resilience. This is where the Caribbean’s strength is rooted—in innovation, in the ability to adapt and support one another. While the challenges ahead are real, so is our collective capacity to overcome them.” United Nations Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, Joanna Kazana, emphasised that the next framework must be firmly shaped by government leadership and strategic clarity.“The UN is using forecasting and foresight to understand where the changing global context may take us,” Ms. Kazana said. “Tell us what you want the UN system to prioritise in this partnerships so the region can accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and deliver equitable, inclusive and resilient development for every Caribbean citizen.” The feedback from governments comes at a decisive moment, since the 2027–2031 UNMSDCF will be the final framework before the deadline for the 2030 Agenda—leaving little room for fragmented or incremental action.The priorities articulated at the 2025 ACM will now inform joint planning to design the 2027–2031 UNMSDCF. As governments and the UN move into this phase, the emphasis will be on sharpening focus, mobilising partnerships and ensuring the framework is positioned to deliver measurable impact in the Caribbean’s critical final push toward the SDGs.

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Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Planning, UN Resident Coordinators in the Caribbean, Country representatives from across the Caribbean and UN Agency Heads gather for a group photo at the 2025 ACM

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02 December 2025

Youth Parliament 2025: Young Leaders Confront Cyberbullying

At a time when online harassment is escalating worldwide and young people are increasingly vulnerable to its impacts, the 22nd National Youth Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago convened on 24 November, 2025 to debate a motion on Mitigating the Effects of Cyberbullying.Thirty-six youth parliamentarians gathered at the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago for a five-hour debate infused with rigorous research, personal testimony and evidence-based policymaking proposals, underscoring that cyberbullying is not just an online nuisance but a serious human rights issue.A highlight of the event was the presentation of the UN Partnership Award for Distinguished Youth Parliamentarian, awarded to Samisha Maharaj of UWI St. Augustine, for using her presentation to underscore the six Sustainable Development Goals which are directly aligned to efforts to prevent and address cyberbullying. "Youth Parliamentarians: stand tall in knowing you have made laudable strides in your journey as youth leaders," said UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, Joni Musabayana. Today, you demonstrated discipline, empathy, courage and a commitment to the common good."Participants highlighted how cyberbullying erodes mental health, damages trust and social relationships and undermines the human right to dignity and safety. The Youth Parliamentarians also emphasized that the problem extends beyond screens, following young people into their homes, classrooms and communities.Youth parliamentarians stressed that responding to cyberbullying is not enough; prevention must be prioritized. Their recommendations included:Digital citizenship educationEmpathy-building initiativesMental health support systemsParent and teacher engagementYouth-driven peer initiativesThe United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago partnered with the Parliament for the second consecutive year, providing financial support and five sessions of capacity development for the Youth Parliamentarians. This partnership is firmly anchored in the UN Youth 2030 Strategy, which affirms that young people must not only be included in national decision-making but be empowered to shape it. Several UN agencies supported the Youth Parliamentarians' debate preparation:UNODC contextualized cyberbullying within digital crime and referenced the newly adopted UN Convention against Cybercrime (October 2025).UNICEF shared global and regional data on adolescent mental health impacts and facilitated youth polling through the U-Report platform.UN Women and UNFPA examined gender dimensions of online abuse, including image-based violence and coercive online behavior.UNESCO guided discussions on AI-driven content moderation and youth inclusion in policymakingThis multi-agency collaboration ensured that youth parliamentarians were equipped with frameworks, data, and tools to strengthen their analysis.

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26 November 2025

Stronger Partnerships for Stronger Results: UN and Sint Maarten Advance Shared Development Agenda

Strengthening national development delivery and deepening cooperation between the Government of Sint Maarten and the United Nations were at the centre of a recent strategic mission by the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator Office for the Dutch Caribbean. Through high-level engagements with Ministers, Secretaries-General of government departments, national institutions and UN agencies, the mission advanced shared priorities for implementation capacity, statistical reform, access to development finance and the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals. From 19–21 November 2025, the RCO team—led by Head of Office Ms. Tracey Hutchinson, with Economist, Arslan Chaudhary and Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, Mark Thomas —held a series of targeted meetings across Government and the UN system to support Sint Maarten in shaping the next phase of UN cooperation through the Common Country Analysis, the Country Implementation Plan and the next MSDCF.The visit created opportunities to reviewing progress on the UN' Country Implementation Plan for Sint Maarten, support the drafting of the Common Country Analysis, formally present the UN 2024 Annual Results Report and deepen cooperation with Government ministries, partners and national institutions. Strategic meetings across GovernmentOver the three-day mission, the RCO team met with senior leadership from across the public sector, including:Social Economic Council (SER)Discussions focused on economic diversification, social pressures, governance, migration dynamics, and strengthening national statistics. UNOPS and UNODC on the Point Blanche Detention Sector Reform ProgrammeThe Minister of Justice, together with UNOPS and UNODC, confirmed a January 2026 groundbreaking ceremony for the Point Blanche Detention Sector Reform center, together with the Minister of Justice. The programme aims to double national detention capacity and introduce modern rehabilitation, skills training and TVET models. Department of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK)The UN and BAK discussed SDG implementation and access to development financing. BAK welcomed the establishment of a UN-Government Joint National Steering Committee.Secretaries-General of three ministries:Public Health, Social Development and Labour – on health systems, statistics reform, labour legislation ageing, and social protection.Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Statistics – on UN technical support for FDI, labour force data and the CCA.General Affairs – on cross-government SDG coordination and data for policy reforms.

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19 November 2025

Strengthening Investigative and Reporting Systems Across the Caribbean

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 19 November 2025: Representatives from 10 Caribbean countries - Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago - convened for the Regional Conference on Reporting Crime, organized by UNODC in collaboration with the Integrity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, and supported by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP). The conference focused on strengthening national and regional systems for receiving, analyzing, and acting on reports related to offenses ranging from misconduct to complex crime linked to the operations of criminal networks.Participants underscored that secure reporting channels, effective preliminary analysis, and robust whistle-blower protection frameworks are essential for transforming allegations into actionable investigative leads. Offenses such as bribery, illicit enrichment, fraud, trading in influence, and state capture were noted as key enablers of organized criminal networks in the Caribbean region.The conference also drew participation from key regional partners, such as CARICOM IMPACS, the Caribbean Commonwealth Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies (CCAICACB) and the Regional Security System (RSS). Throughout the conference, integrity commission officials, investigators (including from financial intelligence units), prosecutors, as well as other practitioners shared practical tools for improving complaint intake, triage, and analysis, with particular attention to the challenges faced by small-island and resource-constrained contexts. Sessions also highlighted the need for stronger inter-agency and cross-border cooperation to detect criminal patterns and dismantle financial networks and the potential use of new technologies and artificial intelligence for efficiency in this context. UNODC emphasized the relevance of the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption to strengthen accountability systems across the Caribbean.The conference is expected to reinforce national reporting mechanisms, enhance investigative readiness, generate effective whistle-blower protection and promote greater regional alignment in investigative protocols and cooperation at the national and regional level. By advancing collaboration and peer learning, Caribbean countries continue to strengthen the institutional framework and professional skills needed to ensure accountability and effectively prevent and combat organized crime.

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17 November 2025

Extensive Stakeholder Consultations Enrich UN’s Development Landscape Assessment

Grassroots insights and comprehensive feedback from a wide range of stakeholder groups will anchor a new UN assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s development landscape, as part of the UN’s commitment to creating a people-centred evidence base to drive sustainable development progress.Twelve diverse focus group consultations held across both Trinidad and Tobago demonstrate the UN’s deep commitment to Leave No One Behind (LNOB) by elevating the voices of groups whose experiences are often underrepresented in official data or national dialogue. This rich range of Trinbagonian perspectives will shape the UN’s 2025 Common Country Analysis, an independent, evidence-based assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s development challenges and opportunities. The CCA is a fundamental building block for drafting the upcoming UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNMSDCF) 2026–2031, a blueprint for the UN’s work with countries to accelerate their achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted between September and October 2025, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), with coordination support from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), convened focus group discussions with:Tobago residents (one consultation in Belle Garden and the other in Canaan)Refugees and migrantsGirlsBoys and young menDisaster risk resilience expertsClimate and environment practitionersPrevention of violence and social cohesion practitionersGender equality and women’s empowerment groupsOlder personsOrganisations of Persons With DisabilitiesFaith-based organisations, andYouth Why focus groups matter for the CCAWhile national statistics and policy reviews remain essential, focus group consultations provide something no dataset can fully capture: the lived experiences, perceptions, and day-to-day realities that reveal how development challenges and opportunities truly play out in people’s lives.These qualitative insights strengthen the CCA by:Surfacing underreported or invisible issues affecting marginalized communitiesExplaining the “why” behind quantitative data trendsHighlighting rights-based and gendered dimensions of exclusionIlluminating geographic disparities, especially between Trinidad and TobagoValidating or challenging assumptions found in policy documentsRevealing unintended consequences of programmes or systemsIdentifying proven entry points and solutions to development challengesBy capturing these nuances, the forthcoming CCA will provide a sharper, more inclusive foundation for UN programming and investment. A companion knowledge product for the development communityIn addition to integrating the insights directly into the CCA, the Office of the Resident Coordinator is developing a companion knowledge product that brings together the extensive qualitative feedback gathered from all 12 consultations. This resource will be publicly accessible and can be used by civil society organisations, Government ministries and agencies, UN entities, academia, private-sector partners, and development stakeholders.It will serve as a practical reference tool for designing programmes, policies, and services that respond directly to the needs, priorities, and experiences of groups most at risk of being left behind.Building on these consultations, the UN Country Team will continue engaging stakeholders to ensure there is continuous dialogue to shape the UN's programming.

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12 November 2025

At Midway Point: Caribbean States to Review and Renew Efforts to Curb Gun Violence Through Regional Roadmap

Five years after pledging to stem the illegal flow of firearms within and throughout the region, Caribbean States and regional and international partners met in Trinidad and Tobago to assess progress achieved and agree on priorities for the next five years.High-level representatives from the 15 CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic convened in Trinidad and Tobago from 11 to 12 November 2025 for the Fifth Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, a decade-long strategy to curb the illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition by 2030. The meeting was attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Joanna Kazana; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, Executive
Director of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime & Security (IMPACS); The Honourable Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security and high-level government representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as members of the international community and the diplomatic corps accredited to Trinidad and Tobago. The 2025 Annual Meeting of States, organized by Roadmap co-custodians, CARICOM IMPACS, and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and with funding from Canada, marked a significant milestone: the midpoint of the Roadmap’s implementation period. The meeting thus served as an inflection point for assessing progress, discussing persistent challenges, and reviewing recommendations emerging from the Mid-Term Review, which were presented at the meeting.On 11 November, national focal points and monitoring and evaluation experts met to review technical progress and share experiences in implementing and reporting on the Roadmap. On 12 November, a high-level ministerial segment took place, dedicated to reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Mid- Term Review of the Roadmap, reaffirming political commitment, and underscoring the urgency of accelerating implementation efforts.
Mid-Term Review: A Region at a CrossroadsIllicit firearms and ammunition continue to drive high levels of homicides and crime across many Caribbean countries, posing significant threats to public safety and human security. The resulting violence also hinders wider socioeconomic development, negatively affects public health systems, discourages investment, and weakens business growth. Midway through the Roadmap’s implementation, a Mid-Term Review highlighted the significant progress. Thirteen States have developed National Action Plans (NAPs) to combat illicit firearms trafficking, aligning the Roadmap’s strategic priorities with their national contexts, reflecting strong national-level commitment. The Mid-Term Review, which was presented at the Meeting of States, highlighted improvements in firearm legislation, enhanced law enforcement capacity, and stronger regional intelligence coordination. However, the Review also pointed to persistent and uneven challenges. While some countries have made notable strides, others continue to experience rising levels of armed violence. Limited funding, political transitions, and inconsistent data reporting have hindered implementation efforts. Moreover, the Roadmap must strengthen its integration with broader national and regional security and violence prevention strategies. It should also promote more inclusive participation, particularly of women, youth and community leaders, with a view to addressing armed violence in a holistic and sustainable manner, beyond the narrow lens of security. In an effort to consolidate and widely showcase the progress of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, UNLIREC has developed a virtual gallery featuring interactive rooms that highlight the joint work undertaken by States and implementing partners, visualizing five years of progress and implementation.Across the Caribbean, gun violence remains one of the region’s most persistent public-safety challenges. Yet, despite these disparities, the overall trajectory is encouraging. Most countries are moving in the right direction, having demonstrated commitment and progress in implementing the Roadmap over the past five years. However, levels of gun violence remain unacceptably high, underscoring the urgency of sustained and coordinated action. The Roadmap continues to be a relevant strategy to guide national and regional efforts, but its implementation must be accelerated to realize the shared visions of a safer Caribbean by 2030.
BackgroundThe Caribbean Firearms Roadmap is a regional umbrella framework adopted by CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic in 2020, in which States committed themselves to implement concrete actions to combat illicit firearms trafficking and make the Caribbean a safer region. Sixteen countries in the region have formally adopted the Roadmap, with thirteen having developed National Action Plans, which tailor the Roadmap’s framework to their unique national contexts.
The Roadmap signifies a commitment by Caribbean States to implement sustainable solutions to prevent and combat armed violence and crimes that are aligned with international norms and the broader goal of promoting sustainable peace, security, and development across the Caribbean. About UNLIREC
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is one of three regional centres under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Since its establishment in 1986, UNLIREC has worked to promote peace, security and disarmament throughout the region.
For more information, please visit www.unlirec.org or contact: melissa.yi@unlirec.org.

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a group photo comprising the Minister of Homeland Security, UN officials, CARICOM IMPACS officials, Caribbean representatives and ambassadors

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10 November 2025

Model UN Hits Historic 25-Year Milestone

The Model United Nations hosted by the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain achieved a historic milestone on Saturday, November 8 when it hosted its 25th annual debate, with the support of the United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago and other partners.The quarter-century edition of the simulated UN General Assembly debate featured an unprecedented 200+ secondary school students – more than double the usual number of participants. After two months of training, research and preparation, delegates from Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Grenada, Montserrat and St. Vincent and the Grenadines represented approximately 100 different countries as they debated a resolution on the prevention of genocide. During her feature address, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo, appealed to the youth advocates to use the skills and insights acquired during the Model UN to improve their communities.“Participants will have to contend with language and behaviour in the public space that often divides and tears down rather than heals and builds up—language that runs counter to the values and core purpose of the United Nations.” She added, “Difficult situations are not dead ends but tests of persistence, resilience, and effort. What you are reaching for is valuable enough to require great effort.”The UN in Trinidad and Tobago’s partnership with the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain provided financial and technical support for the 25th annual Model UN, including comprehensive training offered by the United Nations Information Centre. UN Resident Coordinator, Joanna Kazana, applauded the timely relevance of a debate on peace and human rights, encouraging the youth leaders to use their voices to call out human rights violations in any form.“Peace and human rights do not automatically sustain themselves, they are not a ‘given,’” explained UN Resident Coordinator, Joanna Kazana, in her opening remarks. “They must be protected and defended by all of us – including young people. It matters not if human rights violations affect a group to which we do not belong. The very principle of human rights is universality.” In preparation for this year's debate, Model UN delegates spent seven Saturdays in training sessions that explored the workings of the UN General Assembly, the formulation of resolutions for debate, the fundamentals of human rights and peacebuilding and the principles of international diplomacy.As part of that capacity-building foundation, UNDP/DPPA, UN Women, OHCHR and the United Nations Information Centre facilitated presentations on the history of the UN, the foundations of the UN Charter and the workings of the UN; human rights; peacebuilding and the role of women and youth. The joint UN agency initiative received coordination support from the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, which also forged a financial partnership with the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain for the hosting of this year's Model UN.

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