The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 4) to the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement) ended today in Nassau, Bahamas, with the approval of 10 key decisions for accelerating the agreement’s implementation in the region, in the lead-up to the COP 5 of Latin America and the Caribbean’s first environmental treaty.Among the more important decisions approved was the creation of working groups on pollutant release and transfer registers in the region, and on access to environmental justice. Also approved were methodological guidelines for preparing road maps for the agreement’s implementation in the States Parties, which are key tools for identifying gaps in countries, defining concrete actions and establishing priorities through transparent, collaborative processes with meaningful public participation.In addition, the delegates approved the new composition of the agreement’s Presiding Officers, which is now made up of Saint Kitts and Nevis as Chair and the Bahamas, Belize, Colombia and Panama as Vice-Chairs. In addition, they set a date for the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 5), which is April 20-22, 2028, in a place yet to be determined.In another of the resolutions adopted, the delegates agreed to extend by one year the mandate of the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance (CSIC) of the Escazú Agreement, so as to coincide with the holding of the next two Conferences of the Parties (in 2028 and 2030, respectively).On the last day of the COP 4 of the Escazú Agreement, a session was held to discuss progress and next steps regarding the Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean and, more specifically, the preparation of a regional assessment. A roundtable discussion entitled “What can the United Nations system do to support the Escazú Agreement in the region?” also took place, with representatives of various UN agencies and programs present in the region reflecting on how the United Nations system can contribute to moving towards the Agreement’s full and effective implementation.In this regard, the delegates also approved a decision in which the Parties are invited to promote synergies and partnerships between the Escazú Agreement and other relevant multilateral forums and agreements related to environmental matters, and which entrusts the Secretariat – held by ECLAC – with strengthening cooperation and exchanges with other agencies, funds and programs of the United Nations system and secretariats of relevant multilateral environmental agreements, with a view to supporting the Parties and the bodies of the Agreement in building their capacities and making progress on the implementation of the access rights contained therein.At the closing ceremony, the Director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection of the Bahamas, Rhianna Neely-Murphy, expressed her appreciation for the depth of dialogue, the spirit of collaboration and the shared commitment demonstrated by all those present. “Over the past few days we have not only exchanged ideas but also strengthened our collective resolve to advance the principles of the Escazú Agreement. Transparency, access to information, public participation and environmental justice are not just abstract ideals. They are essential pillars for sustainable development and resilient societies, particularly for small island states like ours in the Bahamas,” she indicated.“Today we elected representatives of the public renew our commitment to our role and will continue expanding and deepening the work with the public throughout the region, supporting their voices and their meaningful commitment. We will make concrete suggestions about how this mechanism can be strengthened,” said Irene Murillo, an elected representative of the public.Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Secretariat of the Escazú Agreement, the Director of ECLAC’s Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division, Carlos de Miguel, sent a message to the region’s countries that are not yet States Parties: “We need to reach all 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, since we will get further if we move forward all together.”“It is important to continue implementing the Escazú Agreement and to move ahead. Data, information are fundamental as an element of environmental justice. The joint construction of methodologies based on territories is characteristic of Escazú. We at the Secretariat are at your disposal to keep working,” De Miguel added.Meanwhile, the representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis and incoming Chair of the agreement’s Presiding Officers, Derionne Edmeade, said that his country is actively aware of the interconnected challenges being faced. “From climate change to biodiversity loss, from environmental degradation to social vulnerability. It is precisely these realities that strengthen our resolve that the principles of access to information, participation and access to justice are not only upheld, but are meaningful for the lives of all,” he stressed.Finally, the outgoing Chair of the agreement’s Presiding Officers, Marcelo Cousillas, thanked the countries, participating organizations, representatives of the public and the Secretariat for all their collaboration in forging the agreement. He recalled that this is the last meeting for the first Presiding Officers of the Escazú Agreement, “which had an extensive, four-year term, with a great deal of work but in a very pleasant environment. Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Mexico, Saint Lucia and Uruguay were an indispensable part of this. We achieved consensuses that seemed very difficult, with a great deal of flexibility and good will. I hope the new Presiding Officers will have the same possibilities,” he expressed.The meeting held in the Bahamas was attended by ministers and government authorities from numerous countries in the region, along with representatives of regional and international organizations and members of the public. In total, 472 people registered to participate, including delegations from 17 States Parties, four signatory States, three delegations from the Agreement’s observer countries, 295 members of the public, 23 representatives of the United Nations system and intergovernmental organizations, and the members of the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance (CSIC) and invited experts.The Escazú Agreement has been signed by 24 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and has 19 States Parties to date: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.The Agreement was adopted in Escazú, Costa Rica on March 4, 2018 and entered into force on April 22, 2021. It is open to ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by the 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. .......................................................This news was first published by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

Mr. Stein R. Hansen, Director, UNIDO-Barbados Global SIDS Hub for Sustainable Development & UNIDO Representative, Barbados and the Caribbean CommunityMr. Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. On April 21, 2026, the world will for the first time observe  the International Day of Women in Industry (IDWI), recognizing women’s contributions to industrial development, and showcasing how their leadership, innovation and resilience are helping to shape economies, advance technologies, and drive the green and digital transition the world urgently needs.IDWI was proclaimed through a landmark resolution,  adopted by the 21st Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) during the 2025 Global Industry Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This new international day is especially significant for the Caribbean. Across the region, women are leading transformation in manufacturing, renewable energy, digital services, agro-processing, creative industries and emerging technologies. Yet their visibility often remains far too limited. This year’s observance  offers an opportunity not just to celebrate these achievements, but to shine a spotlight on all the diverse accomplishments and solutions currently being led by women.To mark the first IDWI, UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna, Austria will place women at the forefront of industrial transformation, including AI, the green and digital transition, and the future of work. High- level policymakers, private sector leaders and partners will gather to showcase policies, partnerships and innovations that accelerate gender responsive industrial transformation. The programme will highlight the data gaps that obscure women’s industrial contributions and explore how sex disaggregated statistics and AI-driven insights can guide better policymaking. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like those in the Caribbean, these discussions resonate deeply. Caribbean economies face unique vulnerabilities from climate change to limited economies of scale that demand innovation, competitiveness and resilience. Caribbean women are already pioneering solutions in several areas, revealing a broader pattern: when women are empowered, industries grow more inclusive, more dynamic and more future ready. However, persistent gaps remain. Women still encounter unequal access to finance, lower rates of participation in STEM fields, limited representation in industrial leadership roles, and social norms that undervalue industrial careers for women. The IDWI seeks to bring these issues to the forefront, at the global, regional and national levels, encouraging countries to organize events, dialogues, exhibitions, and campaigns that raise awareness and promote solutions.The UNIDO-Barbados Global SIDS Hub for Sustainable Development is proud to support this effort across CARICOM. UNIDO's work with governments, institutions and the private sector has demonstrated that when women and girls have access to training, resources and opportunities, they not only thrive, but they also elevate entire industries. This is why visibility matters. Through global advocacy , UNIDO will amplify stories of women transforming industries across the world. Here in the Caribbean, we will highlight women whose work in manufacturing, digital innovation, climate resilience, engineering, and entrepreneurship is shaping a stronger regional industrial future. Celebrating women is important, but celebration alone is not enough. The inaugural International Day of Women in Industry must galvanize concrete commitments: more investment in women-owned industrial enterprises; stronger pathways for girls and women in STEM; better data to inform industrial policy; and enabling workplace and financing environments that allow women to ascend to leadership roles across industrial value chains. These are critical  steps toward building competitive, sustainable and inclusive Caribbean economies.April 21, is therefore, not only a time to celebrate the women shaping industry, it is also a day to recognize that the future of industry, regionally and globally, depends on ensuring full and equal participation for all. The Caribbean has the talent, the vision and the drive. What we need now is commitment.The International Day of Women in Industry is a call to action. Let’s answer it!

This year, for the first time in a decade, the United Nations will select its new Secretary-General.This critical process comes at a time  when our global community faces unprecedented challenges, among them: escalating geopolitical tensions, a raging climate crisis; and rapid advances in digital technology which are transforming how we work, communicate, and function as a society. While the world has never been more in need of the United Nations, the multilateral tools set up to meet these borderless challenges are under immense strain. At the same time, the United Nations – at it’s 80th anniversary – also needs the world, because the legitimacy and efficiency of our work is strengthened when more voices are heard, and more perspectives are included – as encapsulated in the theme I have chosen for this session: Better Together.Against this backdrop, the 2025-2026 Secretary‑General selection process is more than a procedural milestone. It is a moment of reflection  and an opportunity to renew our commitment to the principles that bind us.So, what does it mean to lead the United Nations from its 80th year into the future? The world is looking to the next Secretary-General to provide strong, dedicated leadership to deliver on the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and development, while adapting the United Nations to meet the realities of today and the challenges  of tomorrow. Beginning on 21 April, the interactive dialogues with candidates offer a unique opportunity for candidates to present their vision for the future of this organisation, and for Member States and civil society to ask questions and interact directly with candidates. These dialogues will be available to watch live through the UN’s Web TV service and will spotlight the vision, skills and priorities of each candidate while fostering accountability in action. By inviting civil society participation, the UN is signaling that the future of multilateralism depends on broad engagement, not closed‑door deliberations. It is an opportunity to listen, to question, and to deepen trust in the institution at a time when trust is both fragile and essential.The interactive dialogues are therefore essential to ensuring a transparent and inclusive selection and appointment process while maintaining the important role of the General Assembly.In parallel, the process will be available across social media platforms in a way that is accessible, dynamic, and educational. Because this is not simply about broadcasting information; it is about cultivating understanding and connecting with people who are politically motivated, but perhaps not yet fully engaged in the multilateral sphere. By demystifying the process and presenting it through a youthful, modern lens, we aim to inspire ordinary citizens and future diplomats alike who will advocate, support, and carry forward the work of the United Nations to the next generation.The selection of the next Secretary-General is also a moment to confront an undeniable truth: half the world’s population are women and girls, yet global leadership rarely reflects that reality. In 80 years, I am the fifth woman to serve as the President of the General Assembly. Right now, only 22% of the GA floor is represented by women Permanent Representatives. And  never has a woman held the role of Secretary-General. Our choice will send a powerful message about who we are, and whether we truly serve all the peoples of the world, of which, everywhere in the world, half are women and girls..This decision is not only about putting SDG 5 on Gender Equality into action—it is also a question of credibility for an institution that champions equal rights. Moments like this invite us to pause, to reflect, and to imagine what leadership could look like if it truly mirrored the world it serves. A world where women and men stand equally at the helm. A world where transparency is lived, not promised. The idea of being better together only matters if we choose to make it real; in who we listen to, who we select as a beacon of progress, and who we trust to guide us forward. The next Secretary-General will be the voice of all nations and all peoples; this choice will reflect not only our world today, but the future we will build together, Better Together. Follow the Process 

When Anthurium Lewis first picked up a bow and arrow at six years old, she wasn't aiming for a future as an archery champion."At first it was something mostly recreational. I never really believed I would have reached the point where I could become a six-time national archery champion," she said. But today, that's exactly what Lewis has achieved, and it's only one chapter in her story that branches off into environmental stewardship, youth mentorship and child rights advocacy.Born in Tobago, one of the two Caribbean islands that form the Small Island Developing State of Trinidad and Tobago, Lewis credits archery with teaching her the discipline and drive to balance her personal ambitions with a life of advocacy, while excelling at both.She traces it all back to the range. "Archery gives you that staying power, that discipline to keep pushing forward."Now 17, Lewis wants to use her platform as a United Nations Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to share this message with the world: young people can lead change when the world makes space for their voices and equips them with the right skills. Sport, she believes, is one of the most powerful ways to develop these skills.The 2026 theme of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, "Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers", observed 6 April, resonates deeply with her mission. Under One ArcOver the past decade, Lewis has seen archery's popularity on the island shoot upwards since she started. She attributes this to the way the sport brings together people from diverse backgrounds in Tobago."Since there is one club, persons from the countryside, from the town of different ages, different religions as well, they all come together and they do one sport in one area and one location. So I think that is very powerful," she said.Lewis is proud of the role she has played in this transformation, which she credits in part to a school outreach programme she supports alongside her club mates from Tobago Precision Archery Club. Together, they visit schools to teach children about archery and give them an opportunity to try it out firsthand.Having coached archers as young as three years old, she's found her youth to be an asset rather than a barrier in this space, explaining that younger students are more receptive to guidance from someone they view as a peer who can connect with their lived experiences."I've had parents come to me and say, 'Since my child started archery, they've been more focused in school, their grades have improved, and they're just more disciplined overall.' Knowing that I'm playing a part in that development is what keeps me going."The confidence and skills that she has acquired as a coach are what she carries into advocacy and diplomacy spaces, where youth, especially girls, must often fight to have their voices heard.Expanding the RangeOn the range, Lewis has coached archers twice, even three times her age, and she has never had to prove her expertise or authority to lead. In the advocacy space, however, her experience has not always been the same."The biggest challenge has to be my age," she said, highlighting a cultural norm ingrained into the minds of many young Caribbean people to, "speak only when you're spoken to" and to "leave the older heads to have the big discussions."Despite having served as Junior Minister of Tourism for Tobago and authored research on how cultural beliefs shape teachers' responses to autistic students, Lewis still confronts this issue and leans into the self-confidence she has nurtured as a competitive athlete to keep pushing forward.But she wondered aloud: how much harder might the experience be for other young people with equally powerful ideas but no titles or accolades behind their name to open doors?For Lewis, the answer is to keep showing up and proving the doubters wrong."Children can do it. We have a say. We have the intellect. We have the passion behind it as well. You don't have to wait until you're 25 to want to fight for a cause... We can start right now."Hitting the TargetThrough her foundation, Fruits for Tomorrow, Lewis is on a mission to plant native fruit trees across Tobago. She visits schools, communities and faith-based organisations, where she works with youth to plant fruit trees such as sapodilla, soursop, custard apple, breadfruit and five finger. One of her goals is to boost the island's food security by empowering young people to grow food and care for nature."You won't just find me planting," she said. "You'll actually find youths, very young children as well, going out there and planting their own fruit trees that they themselves will look after."The impact was not always immediate, but it was lasting. On a first visit to a countryside primary school in Tobago, Lewis arrived to find the school's gardening area overgrown and abandoned. Two months later, she returned to find it transformed: cleared, active and full of children tending to their plants freely during the school day. "I was quite pleased by that change in sight," she said.She has seen children develop a new reason to show up to school, thanks to the programme. They understood they needed to go to school to water their trees and watch them grow, reasoning that if they stayed home, their plants might not survive.Beyond attendance, the initiative gives children a chance to step outside the noise of the classroom, connect with their peers and build something together with their own hands. For Lewis, that sense of ownership that fosters discipline and self-confidence, just like archery, is the whole point.Sport has the power to change lives. In big ways, it can be a great equaliser, creating opportunities for those who are not academically inclined or who may face barriers to accessing a quality education.But for Lewis, the most profound transformation sport brings is quieter than a trophy or a title. It begins in the mind. She maintains that archery is 80% mental, and the self-confidence and discipline it builds in a young person carries far beyond the sport.It is a lesson she has lived, and one she is determined to pass on, emphasising, "if you're not doing a sport, you're missing out."