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. 

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.
 

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.

In preparation for the upcoming 22nd National Youth Parliament, 35 youth delegates from across Trinidad and Tobago received a suite of UN-facilitated training to understand the challenge of cyberbullying and formulate policy responses to mitigate its effects. With coordination support from the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, experts from UN Women Multi-Country Office (Caribbean), UNFPA Caribbean, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean and UNESCO Caribbean explored the different forms of online harassment, including cyberbullying technology facilitated gender-based violence, doxxing, catfishing and revenge porn. Impacts on mental health and social cohesion were also discussed, with a particular focus on how these effects differ across genders and age groups. This in-person training held on Thursday, November 6 followed a virtual training session where UNODC laid a foundation on the signature characteristics of cyberbullying. UNODC also outlined the importance of international cooperation between UN Member States to hold perpetrators accountable, as evidenced by the recent adoption of the UN Convention on Cyberbullying in October 2025. In that virtual session, National Youth Parliamentarians also benefitted from UNICEF's presentation on the mental health effects of cyberbullying and learned about the Young Caribbean Minds digital mental health hub for Caribbean youth.  Delegates learned how harmful content and online threats can perpetuate discrimination, limit self-expression, and cause lasting psychological harm.The partnership with the National Youth Parliament is part of the United Nations’ ongoing commitment to empowering youth to address emerging social challenges in the digital age.  Discussions also examined the role of social media platforms, online gaming spaces and digital communities in shaping online behaviour. Facilitators encouraged delegates to look critically at how technology can both connect and harm, and how young people can take the lead in promoting safer, more inclusive digital environments. Another important element of that discussion was the link between the online and offline spaces and how violence can flow between the two, indicating the importance effective prevention programmes that provide protections in both the digital and real-world environments.This year’s Youth Parliament motion, titled “Mitigating the Effects of Cyberbullying,” calls on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to enact legislation and implement policies informed by data to address this growing issue. The motion recognises the profound impacts of cyberbullying, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation to, in severe cases, self-harm or suicide. Morover, it urges stronger protection for victims alongside prevention measures. Delegates will debate how to punish perpetrators, protect victims, and prevent further incidents, with a focus on upholding citizens’ rights to life, liberty, security, and privacy in online spaces.The partnership between the United Nations and the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago provided both financial and technical support to the National Youth Parliament, as part of the UN’s global Youth 2030 Strategy. This Strategy commits the UN to supporting youth-led platforms that empower young people to shape national discourse and policy-making and which build the capacities of young people to advocate for a better, more sustainable future.  By engaging youth in national decision-making processes like the Youth Parliament, the UN system in Trinidad and Tobago continues to champion the participation of young people in shaping a safer, and more inclusive digital future. This article was written by Communications Assistant Intern at the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, Elias Dunbakli.