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10 January 2025
Confirmed: 2024 was the hottest year on record, says UN weather agency
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Press Release
09 January 2025
Short-term outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean remains stable, according to UN flagship report
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09 January 2025
Caribbean economic growth to hold steady in 2025, challenges remain
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The Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean
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. The United Nations in the Caribbean is supporting delivery on all 17 goals:
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19 December 2024
Understanding the legacy of slavery: UN commemorations in human rights advocacy
United Nations International Days, Weeks, Years and Decades communicate about, foster deeper understanding, and encourage action on key issues affecting the individuals and communities we serve. These commemorations form a critical pillar in the outreach and advocacy strategies of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) and Services tasked with connecting local and regional audiences with the work of the United Nations. In the International Days calendar, there are several observances that encourage continuous engagement with the legacy of slavery and promote understanding of its pervasive and harmful influence, including the brutal interruption of African history and the lasting impact of racism and economic marginalisation on People of African Descent. These International Days honour those who suffered at the hands of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery and affirm the significance of its Abolition as an historical event, raise awareness of contemporary forms of human trafficking and enslavement, and campaign against the economic and social marginalisation wrought by all expressions of racism and racial discrimination. They also mobilise action and celebrate ongoing resistance to, and triumph over, this legacy. Within this framework, the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery collaborated with the Rijksmuseum to present the exhibit Slavery: ten true stories of Dutch Colonial Slavery at United Nations sites worldwide, beginning with a hosting event at United Nations Headquarters, New York, in 2023. The exhibit as originally created, comprises audio-visual artefacts and print material that tell stories from a range of perspectives of the experience of the slave trade and slavery during the Dutch colonial period. To make these stories available to audiences outside the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum developed a poster version as well as online supporting material. Permission to reproduce and display the poster exhibit was made available to the United Nations for use in its outreach. For its 2024 commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC Caribbean) tapped into the UN Secretariat’s collaboration with the Rijksmuseum to bring the ten true stories exhibit to library users in Trinidad and Tobago. UNIC Caribbean's Slavery and its Legacy travelling exhibit project, a collaboration with the Public Libraries Division of the National Library and Information System (NALIS), showcased the Rijksmuseum’s exhibit with supporting lectures at public and school libraries across the country. This travelling exhibit was the most recent activity in the Centre’s longstanding outreach programme of exhibits, presentations, discussion sessions, and digital campaigns, designed to promote understanding of the significance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery and its enduring impact on Caribbean societies. It also built on the UNIC’s partnerships with education and research stakeholders who embrace the UN’s values and support its strategic communications goals. Guiding the UNIC Caribbean approach to this outreach, was the UN’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights: the understanding that there are inalienable rights that “everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." (UN observances – Human Rights Day) With these important relationships and frameworks in view, the UNIC’s travelling poster exhibit project aimed to educate and encourage nuanced discussions about the legacy of slavery, drawing on the stories of the Dutch Caribbean colonial experience and perspectives. The exhibit was mounted in seven public libraries across Trinidad and Tobago between July and October, and in three school libraries in November. At the schools, the exhibit showcased the ten true stories poster display and also included discussions led by National Information Officer, Amanda Laurence, on the need to continue to remember slavery as an exercise in applying the lessons of the past to build better societies. The UNIC also hosted an information session that featured the Rijksmuseum’s Head of History, Dr.Valika Smeulders, to brief NALIS librarians about the travelling exhibit project and encourage their participation in all dimensions of the Centre’s human rights advocacy.
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20 February 2024
Decide to join the United Nations as a UN Volunteer
You can decide to change the lives of others while changing your own as a United Nations Volunteer (UNV). Volunteering for the UN is a full-time commitment to peace and sustainable development with a UN agency, fund or programme, in your country or abroad. RIGHTS AND BENEFITSThe United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme encourages broad and inclusive participation, and as such ensures a variety of benefits to secure a basic standard of living while serving as a UN Volunteer. Benefits include: Monthly living allowance Medical insurance (including dependents) Annual leave (2.5 days per month served) Learning opportunities Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities Travel allowance for international UN Volunteers See more on the UNV Conditions of Service : https://bit.ly/UNV-COS PROFESSIONAL PROFILESBuild on your professional experience and knowledge - whether in development, emergency response, education, health, environment, communications, social work and much more. ASSIGNMENT TITLESSome of the most popular volunteer assignment titles are: Field Officer (in a wide variety of areas) Community Development Officer Communications Officer Protection/Human Rights Officer Monitoring & Evaluation Officer MAIN PARTNERSAs a UN Volunteer you can serve with the following UN entities, among others: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) International Organization for Migration (IOM) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) World Food Programme (WFP) In 2022, over 2,500 UN Volunteers served with over 30 UN partners in Latin America and the Caribbean! LEAVING NO ONE BEHINDThe UNV programme is committed to representing the diversity of the world's societies. If you are a person with disabilities, a member of the LGTBQ+, afro-descendant or indigenous communities, or any other minority, you are encouraged to apply. CATEGORIESAssignments are offered into four volunteer categories, which determine eligibility: Expert: candidates must be at least 35 years old and have more than 15 years of professional experience. Specialist: candidates must be at least 27 years of age and have at least 3 years of professional experience. Youth and University: candidates must be between 18 and 26 years of age, and no previous professional experience is required. Community: No previous professional experience or academic requirements needed but must live in the community they serve. Before applying, we recommend carefully reading the specific requirements of your selected assignment. DECIDE TO APPLYRegister in UNV’s Unified Volunteer Platform: app.unv.org, complete your professional profile and apply to vacancies NOW. When filtering vacancies, verify the volunteer category (Expert, Youth, etc.) you fit in and define whether to volunteer in your country or abroad. UN Volunteer opportunities reflect the evolving needs of UN agencies, funds and programmes. We encourage you to visit the UNV platform regularly, so as not to miss any opportunity. VOLUNTEER ONLINEWith the Online Volunteering service, you can undertake volunteer tasks for up to 20 hours a week and for a maximum of 12 weeks with different United Nations entities, governments, public institutions and civil society organisations. As the Online Volunteering service is a free time commitment, selected individuals are not under contract with the UN Volunteers programme or the host entity. As such, Online Volunteers are not eligible for the entitlements and benefits stipulated in the Conditions of Service. Their contribution is recognised with a certificate. Know more here: https://www.unv.org/become-online-volunteer
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23 September 2024
Pact for the Future: World leaders pledge action for peace, sustainable development
The Pact along with its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, was adopted by consensus, despite a last-minute proposal for an amendment by some countries, including Russia, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Syria.The amendment sought to incorporate text calling for non-intervention in any issue of national sovereignty, and the primacy of intergovernmental deliberation, in effect, downplaying the role of the civil society or private sector interests. It was rejected after the 193-member Assembly decided not to act on the proposal.Click here for UN News’ live coverage of the meeting and here to download the resolution.Pact for the FutureThe Pact’s five broad focus areas include: sustainable development; international peace and security; science and technology; youth and future generations and transforming global governance.This has become an urgent pivot, as multilateral financial institutions and even the United Nations itself have come up short seeking solutions to 21st century problems, the pact lays out.By endorsing the Pact, UN Member States pledged, among other things, to:Turbocharge the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change, two landmark 2015 agreements that have seen halting progress and missed milestonesListen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levelsBuild stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and moreRedouble efforts to build and sustain peaceful, inclusive and just societies and address the root causes of conflictsProtect all civilians in armed conflictAccelerate the implementation of our commitments on women, peace and securityGlobal Digital CompactThe Global Digital Compact marks the first truly worldwide agreement on the international regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) and is founded on the idea that technology should benefit everyone.It outlines commitments to ensure that digital technologies contribute to sustainable development and human rights, while addressing risks like digital divides, cybersecurity, and misuse of technology.The Compact aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure AI technologies are used responsibly, fostering global cooperation on both AI capabilities and security threats. Governments are also obligated to form an impartial worldwide Scientific Panel on AI and start an international conversation about AI governance inside the UN.Declaration on Future GenerationsThe Declaration on Future Generations focuses on securing the well-being of future generations, also highlighting the need to include their interests in decision-making processes.It also underlines the importance of protecting the environment, promoting intergenerational equity, and ensuring that long-term consequences of today's actions are considered. New opportunitiesSpeaking after the adoption, Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the Pact for the Future and its annexes, “open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.”“People everywhere are hoping for a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity. They are crying out for global action to solve the climate crisis, tackle inequality, and address new and emerging risks that threaten everyone,” he said.“They see the United Nations as essential to solving these challenges,” he continued, adding “the Summit of the Future sets a course for international cooperation that can meet their expectations … now, let’s get to work.”Months of negotiationThe adoption was the culmination of months of negotiations co-facilitated by Germany and Namibia.Speaking after the adoption, Philémon Yang, President of the 79th session of the General Assembly, urged nations to move forward, together, in a spirit of solidarity and multilateral cooperation.“The path we choose must lead to a future where human dignity is respected and human rights are upheld. A future where peace transcends the mere absence of conflict and is grounded in justice, inclusion, and equity.” This story was first published to UN News
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25 June 2024
UN Secretary-General launches UN Global Principles for Information Integrity
The world must respond to the harms caused by the spread of hate and lies online while vigorously defending human rights, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said at the launch of the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity, 24 June 2024.One year after launching his report on information integrity on digital platforms, the Secretary-General presented a framework for coordinated international action to make information spaces safer and more humane, one of the most urgent tasks of our time.Misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and other risks to the information ecosystem are fueling conflict, threatening democracy and human rights, and undermining public health and climate action. Their proliferation is now enhanced by the rapid rise of easily accessible Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, increasing the threat to some groups often targeted in information spaces, including children. "The United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity aim to empower people to demand their rights," said the Secretary-General. "At a time when billions of people are exposed to false narratives, distortions, and lies, these principles mark a clear way forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and opinion." The UN chief urgently called on governments, technology companies, advertisers, and the public relations industry to take responsibility for disseminating and monetizing harmful content.The erosion of information integrity is compromising the UN's missions, operations, and priorities, including vital peacekeeping operations and humanitarian efforts. In a global survey of UN staff, 80% of respondents said that damaging information puts them and the communities they serve at risk.The principles result from extensive consultations with member states, the private sector, youth leaders, media, academia, and civil society. The recommendations in this document are designed to foster healthier and safer information spaces that promote human rights, peaceful societies, and a sustainable future.The 5 Global Principles for a more humane information ecosystem are: What do these principles include?Governments, technology companies, advertisers, media, and other stakeholders should refrain from using, supporting, or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose.Governments should facilitate timely access to information, ensure a free, viable, independent, and pluralistic media landscape, and ensure robust protection for journalists, researchers, and civil society.Technology companies should ensure security and privacy by design in all their products, along with consistent application of policies and remedies across countries and languages, with particular attention to the needs of groups often targeted online. They must improve their response and take steps to support the integrity of information during elections.All parties involved in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies must take urgent, immediate, inclusive, and transparent steps to ensure that all AI applications are designed, implemented, and used safely, responsibly, and ethically to respect human rights.Technology companies must develop business models that do not rely on programmatic advertising and that do not prioritize engagement over human rights, privacy, and security. These models must allow users greater choice and control over their online experience and personal data.Advertisers should demand transparency in the technology sector's digital advertising processes to help ensure that advertising budgets do not inadvertently fund disinformation, hate, or undermine human rights.Tech companies and AI developers should ensure meaningful transparency, allow researchers and academics access to data while respecting user privacy, commission publicly available independent audits, and co-develop accountability frameworks for the industry.Governments, technology companies, AI developers, and advertisers should take special measures to protect and empower children, and governments must provide resources to parents, guardians, and educators."Everyone should be able to express themselves freely without fear of attack. Everyone should be able to access diverse opinions and sources of information. No one should be at the mercy of an algorithm that they do not control, that was not designed to safeguard their interests, and that tracks their behavior to collect personal data and keep them hooked," stressed the Secretary-General during the presentation of the Global Principles, placing particular emphasis on the situation of vulnerability in which millions of girls and boys find themselves."The UN listens to your pleas for guidance and support. Do not be discouraged: raise your voice. Demand accountability, demand choice, demand control. You are the majority. And this is a fight we can win together," concluded António Guterres (Read the Secretary-General's entire message).For her part, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communication Melissa Fleming also urgently called on people to respect the integrity of information, especially those who create artificial intelligence."AI creators: make sure you don't make the same mistakes as social network creators. Make sure you are safe by design, make sure you make branded content, and remove content that fails to comply with the principles," he said.Background:The UN Global Principles for Information In "AI creators: make sure you don't make the same mistakes as social network creators. Make sure you are safe by design, make sure you make branded content, and remove content that fails to comply with the principles," he said. integrity arises from a proposal in Our Common Agenda, the Secretary-General's 2021 report outlining a vision for the future of global cooperation and multilateral action. The Principles are a resource for member states ahead of the Summit of the Future to be launched next September.-----The Universal Principles for Information Integrity are available at:https://www.un.org/es/information-integrityView a video presentation of the Universal Principles at: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1c/k1c1nfpy8n
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01 July 2024
World getting a ‘failing grade’ on Global Goals report card
The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report highlighted that nearly half the 17 targets are showing minimal or moderate progress, while over a one-third are stalled or going in reverse, since they were adopted by UN Member States back in 2015 to bring peace and prosperity for people and the planet. “This report is known as the annual SDG report card and it shows the world is getting a failing grade,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the press conference to launch the comprehensive stocktake.“The takeaway is simple – our failure to secure peace, to confront climate change and to boost international finance is undermining development. We must accelerate action for the Sustainable Development Goals, and we don’t have a moment to lose,” he stressed.Major obstaclesThe Report identified the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and worsening climate chaos as major obstacles to progress.It noted that an additional 23 million people were pushed into extreme poverty and over 100 million more were suffering from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019, while the number of civilian deaths in armed conflict skyrocketed last year. 2023 was also the warmest on record, with global temperatures nearing the critical 1.5°C threshold.Urgent prioritiesMr. Guterres emphasized the urgency of boosting international cooperation, stating “we must not let up on our 2030 promise to end poverty, protect the planet and leave no one behind.”The report outlined key priorities to address the deficit.Foremost, it highlighted the need for financing for development. The SDG investment gap in developing countries is $4 trillion per year. It is crucial to rapidly increase funding and fiscal space, as well as reform the global financial system to unlock funding. Resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy is equally crucial. With nearly 120 million forcibly displaced people by May 2024 and a 72 per cent increase in civilian casualties between 2022 and 2023, the need for peace is more pressing than ever.In parallel, a surge in implementation is desperately needed. Massive investments and effective partnerships are vital to drive transitions in key areas such as food, energy, social protection, and digital connectivity.Seize the momentThe report comes ahead of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), taking place at the UN Headquarters, in New York, from 8 to 17 July.Under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Forum will review global progress towards Goal 1 on ending poverty, Goal 2 on zero hunger, Goal 13 on climate action, Goal 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies, and Goal 17 on means of implementation.In addition, the upcoming Summit of the Future in September will be pivotal for realigning efforts towards achieving the Goals. The Summit aims to address the debt crisis affecting many developing countries and the urgent need to reform international financial architecture.Key findingsThe SDG Report highlights stark economic challenges, with per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth in half of the world’s most vulnerable nations slower than in advanced economies. Nearly 60 per cent of countries faced abnormally high food prices in 2022, exacerbating hunger and food insecurity.The report also highlighted gender inequality, noting that 55 per cent of 120 surveyed countries lack laws prohibiting discrimination against women.It also cited education as a significant concern, with only 58 per cent of students worldwide achieving minimum proficiency in reading by the end of primary school. At the same time, despite global unemployment reaching a historic low of five per cent in 2023, many obstacles to achieving decent work across all societies persist.However, there are positive developments in renewable energy, which expanded at a rate of 8.1 per cent annually over the past five years.Technological advancements also saw significant strides, with mobile broadband accessibility (3G or higher) increasing to 95 per cent of the world’s population from 78 per cent in 2015. .....................................................This story was first published by UN News.
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10 January 2025
Confirmed: 2024 was the hottest year on record, says UN weather agency
“We saw extraordinary land, sea surface temperatures, extraordinary ocean heat accompanied by very extreme weather affecting many countries around the world, destroying lives, livelihoods, hopes and dreams,” WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis said. “We saw many climate change impacts retreating sea ice glaciers. It was an extraordinary year.”Four of the six international datasets crunched by WMO indicated a higher than 1.5℃ global average increase for the whole of last year but two did not. The 1.5℃ marker is significant because it was a key goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement to try to ensure that global temperature change does not rise more than this above pre-industrial levels, while striving to hold the overall increase to well below 2℃.Climate deal under pressureThe Paris Agreement is “not yet dead but in grave danger”, the WMO maintained, explaining that the accord’s long-term temperature goals are measured over decades, rather than individual years.However, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo insisted that “climate history is playing out before our eyes. We’ve had not just one or two record-breaking years, but a full ten-year series. “It is essential to recognize that every fraction of a degree of warming matters. Whether it is at a level below or above 1.5C of warming, every additional increment of global warming increases the impacts on our lives, economies and our planet.”LA fires: climate change factorAmid still raging deadly wildfires in Los Angeles that weather experts including the WMO insist have been exacerbated by climate change - with more days of dry, warm, windy weather on top of rains which boosted vegetation growth – the UN agency said that 2024 capped a decade-long “extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures”. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the WMO’s findings as further proof of global warming and urged all governments to deliver new national climate action plans this year to limit long-term global temperature rise to 1.5C – and support the most vulnerable deal with devastating climate impacts.“Individual years pushing past the 1.5℃ limit do not mean the long-term goal is shot,” Mr. Guterres said. “It means we need to fight even harder to get on track. Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025,” he said. “There’s still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But leaders must act – now.”The datasets used by WMO are from the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Japan Meteorological Agency, NASA, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the UK Met Office in collaboration with the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (HadCRUT) and Berkeley Earth.Listen back to an interview climate scientist Alvaro Silva at the WMO, following the heat alert in the United States at the end of June: Ocean warmingHighlighting a separate scientific study on ocean warming, WMO said that it had played a key role in last year’s record high temperatures.“The ocean is the warmest it has ever been as recorded by humans, not only at the surface but also for the upper 2,000 metres,” the UN agency said, citing the findings of the international study spanning seven countries and published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.WMO noted that about 90 per cent of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, “making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change”.To put the study’s findings into perspective, it explained that from 2023 to 2024, the upper 2,000 metres of ocean became warmer by 16 zettajoules (1,021 Joules), which is about 140 times the world’s total electricity output............................................................................This story was first published to UN News.
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09 January 2025
Caribbean economic growth to hold steady in 2025, challenges remain
New York, 9 January 2025 – The United Nations' World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report, released today, projects that economic growth in the Caribbean (excluding Guyana) will remain unchanged at 2.5% in 2025, matching the estimated growth for 2024. This forecast comes as part of a broader analysis of global economic trends conducted by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in collaboration with other UN agencies.While this growth rate significantly outpaces the 0.5% average recorded between 2010 and 2019, the report cautions that it may not be sufficient to address the region's pressing development challenges and improve living conditions. Looking at the broader Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, the report forecasts GDP growth to rise from an estimated 1.9% in 2024 to 2.5% in 2025, supported by improvements in private consumption, easing monetary policies, and stronger export growth. However, this growth level remains below the 1.7% average observed between 2010 and 2019, underscoring the continued economic vulnerabilities and constraints facing many countries in the region. The UN report identifies high debt levels and vulnerability to climate shocks as key factors constraining progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Caribbean. Public debt in the region stood at an average of 67.9% of GDP, signaling a return to pre-pandemic levels. The report warns that this high debt burden, coupled with increasing interest payments as a share of fiscal revenues, is limiting the financial resources available for critical investments in education, health, infrastructure, and sustainable development.Despite these challenges, the report notes some bright spots in the region. Guyana, which is excluded from the overall Caribbean growth figure, is projected to maintain GDP growth above 3.5% in 2025, outperforming its regional counterparts.The UN report also highlights limited macroeconomic policy space across the LAC region, which constrains government capacity to advance public investment and support growth. This is particularly relevant for many Caribbean nations given their high debt levels.Fiscal deficits in the Caribbean are estimated to have increased by 1 percentage point to 2.6% of GDP in 2024, further underscoring the economic challenges faced by the region.External factors such as a sharper-than-expected slowdown in China and the United States could negatively affect exports, remittances, and capital flows across LAC. For the Caribbean specifically, the report emphasizes that climate-related shocks pose an elevated threat, potentially straining fiscal policies and disrupting agricultural production, which could drive up food inflation in these island economies.Caribbean nations also face the challenge of maintaining economic stability while addressing long-standing structural issues. The report suggests that countries in the Caribbean will need to redouble efforts to increase fiscal revenues, partly by reducing tax evasion and avoidance and increasing the progressivity of tax systems.Global Report LaunchAt the global level, the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report projects that growth will remain at 2.8 per cent in 2025, unchanged from 2024. While the world economy has demonstrated resilience, withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, growth remains below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, constrained by weak investment, sluggish productivity growth, and high debt levels. Launched globally in a high-profile event at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the UN flagship economic report calls for bold multilateral action to address the interconnected crises of debt, inequality, and climate change. The launch featured a press briefing led by senior UN officials, including Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Shantanu Mukherjee, Director of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division at UN DESA, and Hamid Rashid, Chief of the Global Economic Monitoring Branch.
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06 January 2025
Young Venezuelan refugees get a fresh start in Trinidad’s schools
When 11-year-old Venezuelan refugee Astrid Saavedra walked into her fourth-grade classroom in Trinidad and Tobago for her first day of school in September, she was eager to begin lessons in her favourite subject, mathematics. But the prospect of teaching fellow students about her homeland Venezuela was equally exciting.Astrid is one of the first refugee and migrant children from Venezuela to be allowed to enter the Trinidadian national public education system, following a change in the country’s immigration rules. She was part of the first cohort of 60 children to meet the admission criteria, which included possession of a certified, translated birth certificate and immunization record, and be assigned a school, marking an important milestone in fulfilling Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to fully meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international UN human rights treaty.“These young people, should they stay in Trinidad and Tobago, would be adequately prepared to enter the workforce of this country, filling gaps in the labour market and contributing to innovation and sustainability,” said senior UN migration agency (IOM) official, Desery Jordan-Whiskey. “It’s also an opportunity for these children, who are mostly Spanish speaking, to contribute just as much as they would gain, by helping their peers learn a second language.”An investment in the futureThe changes in legislation that allowed children like Astrid to go to school came about in July 2023, during a meeting of UN officials and politicians, at which Trinidad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs officially announced the Government’s decision.UN agencies agree that the right to receive an education is an example of the way human rights overlaps with sustainable development.“Advocating for access to education is key to bridging the gap between immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development goals,” said Amanda Solano, head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Trinidad and Tobago. “By providing education to refugee and migrant children, we’re not just meeting their immediate needs, we’re investing in their future and the future of Trinidad and Tobago.” Over 2,000 refugee and migrant children remain excluded from the school system. The UN has made efforts to provide them with alternative learning opportunities, or to place them in private schools but has expressed a preference for wider admission to the state school system.A committee of UN agencies and partners, the Education Working Group (EWG), is working with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to better understand the training and logistical support that would be required to accommodate larger numbers of refugee and migrant children into local schools.The hope is that many more students like Astrid will be able to walk into the nation’s classrooms to start the 2025-2026 academic year. UN support for education in Trinidad & TobagoThe UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNHCR work with partners to offer informal Child-Friendly Spaces, where children can access learning while they wait for places in the national school system.The Education Working Group (EWG) is assisting with initial English language proficiency testing, facilitated by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI).EWG members have coordinated efforts to reduce economic strain and enable students’ focus on learning and thriving. UNHCR provided school supplies and backpacks, PADF offered access to textbooks and other school supplies, and UNICEF disbursed grants to support any unmet needs, including uniforms, textbooks, and transportation.Through the Heroes Development Program, PADF and its partner the Heroes Foundation also provide complementary life skills development and alternative education support for children and youth who are unable to access formal schools in Trinidad and Tobago. ............................................................This story was first published by UN News.
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02 January 2025
2024 to become the hottest year on record
“Today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat. The top ten hottest years on record have happened in the last ten years, including 2024,” said Secretary-General António Guterres in his message for the New Year. “This is climate breakdown — in real time. We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose,” he gravely emphasised.The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) will publish the consolidated global temperature figure for 2024 in January and its full State of the Global Climate 2024 report in March 2025. Climate catastrophes Throughout 2024, a series of reports from the WMO community highlighted the rapid pace of climate change and its far-reaching impacts on every aspect of sustainable development.Record-breaking rainfalls were documented as well as catastrophic flooding, scorching heat waves with temperatures exceeding 50°C, and devastating wildfires. The organization found that climate change added 41 days of dangerous heat in 2024, harming human health and ecosystems in their report When Risks Become Reality: Extreme Weather. Climate change also intensified 26 of the 29 weather events studied by World Weather Attribution that killed at least 3700 people and displaced millions. Celeste Saulo, the WMO Secretary-General, described the year as a sobering wake-up call. “This year we saw record-breaking rainfall and flooding events and terrible loss of life in so many countries, causing heartbreak to communities on every continent,” she stated.“Every fraction of a degree of warming matters, and increases climate extremes, impacts and risks,” she underscored. Hope amid crises Despite the grim realities, the year 2024 saw notable advancements with the adoption of the Pact for the Future - a landmark agreement to promote disarmament, financial reform, gender equality, and ethical technological innovation. The COP29 UN climate conference also recently discussed ways to increase finance for poor countries to support them in coping with the impacts of extreme weather. Developing countries are responsible for a small amount of historic carbon emissions, but as WMO research has highlighted, are being hit the hardest by extreme weather. Moreover, in response to the Secretary-General's Call to Action on Extreme Heat, a targeted group of experts representing 15 international organizations and 12 countries convened at WMO headquarters in December to advance a coordinated framework for tackling the growing threat of extreme heat. 2025: A pivotal year With 2025 designated as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, WMO and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aim to prioritise efforts to protect the cryosphere - the Earth’s frozen regions, critical to regulating global temperatures. Additionally, WMO is advancing initiatives like the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch which aims to improve the monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) net fluxes globally. By 2027, the organization also aims to ensure universal protection from hazardous environmental events through life-saving anticipatory systems currently developed in the Early Warnings for All programme. Reflecting on WMO’s upcoming 75th anniversary, Ms. Saulo reinforced the shared responsibility to act.“If we want a safer planet, we must act now. It’s our responsibility. It’s a common responsibility, a global responsibility,” she firmly stated. ..................................................................... This story was first published to UN News.
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02 January 2025
Dominica continues to build community resilience in the Kalinago Territory
Dominica’s Kalinago Territory will be the focus of a new US$1 million project, aimed at increasing community resilience through enhancing sustainable agriculture, improving forest and watershed management, and fostering indigenous eco-tourism. “Strengthening Community Resilience within the Kalinago Territory (SCR-K)” is an initiative led by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by the Government of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. A media launch was held on Thursday, December 19 at the Barana Autê to announce the project, which seeks to promote resilience, enhance sustainable livelihoods, and preserve the unique Kalinago heritage. Nestled in a remote and mountainous area of Atlantic coast, the Kalinago Territory is a 15 km2 district with an estimated population of approximately 3,000 indigenous Kalinago people – the only Caribbean community directly descended from the indigenous people that populated the entire region before colonization. The Hon. Cozier Frederick, Minister of the Environment, Rural Modernisation, and Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment, said, “The Kalinago community’s resilient agenda has been greatly enhanced through the collaborative efforts of financing from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and the coordination of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as they continue to enable us to recover, adapt and thrive in the face of immense adversity.”High Commissioner of India to the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, was also in attendance at the launch. He emphasized the Government of India’s commitment to supporting multilateralism and south-south cooperation for development that is driven by national ownership and leadership. “India has taken a lead role in putting the priorities of the countries of the Global South on the global agenda. It was evident during India’s G-20 Presidency last year. This project for the empowerment of the indigenous Kalinago community of Dominica represents India’s desire to support Dominica in a sustainable manner.”UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ms. Limya Eltayeb, welcomed the continued investment in the Kalinago Territory. “We are honored that the Government of Dominica continues to entrust UNDP with efforts to build resilience within this unique community. Through several initiatives, we have worked closely with the Kalinago Community to increase internet accessibility and strengthen digital transformation, promote Kalinago language and culture, and support livelihoods, tourism and entrepreneurial ventures,” she said. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue supporting the Kalinago people when this new project comes on stream. I would especially like to thank the Government of India for its strong support through the UN-India Fund, which has distinguished itself as an excellent example of productive south-south cooperation and an important resource for small island developing states.”Some of the key issues to be addressed by the SCR-K initiative include revitalizing agriculture to support national food security and economic growth; mitigating the impact of climate-related hazards and deforestation on forest ecosystems; and developing sustainable tourism practices that leverage the unique cultural heritage of the Kalinago community. These challenges are compounded by the need for effective community engagement and capacity building to ensure long-term resilience and economic benefits. Included in the planned activities are the establishment of a greenhouse park in the northern belt of the Kalinago Territory, training of community members in climate-smart agriculture techniques and disbursement of small grants to farmers and small businesses.The SCR-K initiative builds upon and complements UNDP’s Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience in the Kalinago Territory (SSLR) project, which closed earlier this year. UNDP established a project office in Dominica in 2017 to support the Government with immediate response, recovery, and reconstruction post-Hurricane Maria. Since then, UNDP’s portfolio has expanded to a range of projects supporting reconstruction and social protection, resilience-building, agriculture, Indigenous peoples, blue economy, and digital transformation. ******************************************
About UNDP
UNDP is the lead United Nations agency tackling the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad global network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations develop impactful, integrated, and sustainable solutions by and for people and the planet. The UNDP Multi-Country Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean serves 10 small island developing states. For more information, visit www.undp.org/barbados or follow us on social media @undpbarbadosec.About the India-UN Development Partnership Fund
Established in 2017, the US$150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund is supported and led by the Government of India and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system. The Fund supports Southern-owned and -led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. United Nations agencies implement the Fund projects in close collaboration with partnering Governments. ******************************************This story was first published by UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
About UNDP
UNDP is the lead United Nations agency tackling the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad global network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations develop impactful, integrated, and sustainable solutions by and for people and the planet. The UNDP Multi-Country Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean serves 10 small island developing states. For more information, visit www.undp.org/barbados or follow us on social media @undpbarbadosec.About the India-UN Development Partnership Fund
Established in 2017, the US$150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund is supported and led by the Government of India and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system. The Fund supports Southern-owned and -led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. United Nations agencies implement the Fund projects in close collaboration with partnering Governments. ******************************************This story was first published by UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
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Press Release
09 January 2025
Short-term outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean remains stable, according to UN flagship report
Mexico, 10 January 2025 – The economic outlook in Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to strengthen, supported by more robust household spending and easing monetary policies, according to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025. However, the region faces major downside risks, including domestic political uncertainties and weaker-than-anticipated external demand.The UN flagship economic report projects that global growth will remain at 2.8 per cent in 2025, unchanged from 2024. While the world economy has demonstrated resilience, withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, growth remains below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, constrained by weak investment, sluggish productivity growth, and high debt levels.The report notes that lower inflation and ongoing monetary easing in many economies could provide a modest boost to global economic activity in 2025. However, uncertainty still looms large, with risks stemming from geopolitical conflicts, rising trade tensions, and elevated borrowing costs in many parts of the world. These challenges are particularly acute for low-income and vulnerable countries, where sub-par and fragile growth threatens to further undermine progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).“Countries cannot ignore these perils. In our interconnected economy, shocks on one side of the world push up prices on the other. Every country is affected and must be part of the solution—building on progress made,” said António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, in the foreword to the report. “We’ve set a path. Now it’s time to deliver. Together, let’s make 2025 the year we put the world on track for a prosperous, sustainable future for all.”The short-term outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean remains moderately favourable. Regional GDP growth is expected to accelerate from an estimated 1.9 per cent in 2024 to 2.5 per cent in 2025. Economic growth is being driven by improvements in private consumption, easing monetary policies, resilient capital flows, and stronger export growth.However, there are significant downside risks to this outlook. On the external front, a sharper-than-expected slowdown in China and the United States would negatively impact exports, remittances, and capital flows. On the domestic front, political uncertainties could dampen business confidence and investments. Climate-related shocks, particularly in the Caribbean, could also strain fiscal policies and disrupt agricultural production, driving up food inflation.In Brazil, growth is expected to decelerate from 3.0 per cent in 2024 to 2.3 per cent in 2025, remaining well above the 2010–2019 average of 1.4 per cent. This slowdown reflects headwinds from tighter monetary policy, reduced fiscal spending, and weaker exports. In Mexico, GDP growth is expected to remain sluggish. After an estimated expansion of 1.6 per cent in 2024, GDP is projected to grow by 1.3 per cent in 2025, constrained by weak private consumption and fiscal consolidation efforts. The economy in Argentina is recovering after two years of contraction, driven by a revival in private consumption and robust investment growth. In the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Paraguay, GDP growth is projected to remain above 3.5 per cent in 2025.In the Caribbean (excluding Guyana), economic growth is estimated at 2.5 per cent for 2024 and is expected to remain unchanged in 2025 as the effects of the post-pandemic rebound in tourism fade. Although GDP growth is significantly above the 0.5 per cent average recorded between 2010 and 2019, it remains insufficient to improve living conditions.Although the outlook is resilient, economic growth has remained sluggish for over a decade. Between 2015 and 2024, regional GDP growth averaged just 0.9 per cent—the lowest rate for any decade since the 1950s. Thus, per capita GDP remains stagnant, stuck at the same level as ten years ago. In order to improve labour market outcomes, raise living standards, and advance the SDGs, it is crucial to accelerate economic growth.Critical minerals: A vital opportunity for accelerating sustainable developmentThe report highlights the potential of critical minerals for the energy transition—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—and also for accelerating progress towards the SDGs in many countries.For resource-rich developing countries, including several in Latin America and the Caribbean, rising global demand for critical minerals presents a unique opportunity to boost growth, create jobs, and increase public revenues for investment in sustainable development. However, the report warns that these opportunities come with significant risks. Poor governance, unsafe labour practices, environmental degradation, and over-reliance on volatile commodity markets could exacerbate inequalities and harm ecosystems, undermining long-term development gains.“Critical minerals have immense potential to accelerate sustainable development, but only if managed responsibly,” said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “Governments must adopt forward-looking policies and comprehensive regulatory frameworks to drive sustainable extraction, equitable benefit-sharing, and investments in building productive capacities to maximize the development gains from these resources.”The report will be available on 9 January 2025, 12:30 pm EST on https://www.bit.ly/UN_WESP2025 and desapublications.un.org once the embargo has been lifted.Hashtag: #WorldEconomyReportMedia Contacts:
Alex del Castello, UN Department of Global Communications, alexandra.delcastello@un.org
Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org
Alex del Castello, UN Department of Global Communications, alexandra.delcastello@un.org
Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org
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Press Release
11 December 2024
The Commonwealth of Dominica Accedes to the UN Convention Against Torture, Reaffirming Commitment to Human Rights.
On December 5, Dominica became the 175th state party to this core human rights treaty demonstrating a strong commitment to safeguarding the dignity and fundamental freedoms of all human beings. This Convention seeks to eradicate torture in all its forms and ensure justice and accountability for victims. In reflecting on this milestone, Mr. Springett noted: “Dominica’s decision to add this essential treaty to the various other international instruments it has ratified, is a clear demonstration of its unwavering dedication to human rights and the rule of law. This step reinforces the country’s commitment to ensuring access to justice and protection of the dignity of all human beings. Some Highlights of the Convention Against TortureProhibition of Torture: Establishes an absolute ban on torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under all circumstances.Accountability Measures: Requires states to investigate and prosecute acts of torture and to provide reparations to victims.International Cooperation: Promotes collaboration between states to prevent and combat torture globally.Prevention Mechanisms: Encourages measures such as training for law enforcement and judicial personnel to prevent the occurrence of torture.The Role of the UN in Supporting ImplementationThe UN system is fully committed to supporting the Government of Dominica in its efforts to implement the provisions of the Convention, and all other human rights instruments ratified by Dominica. Through technical assistance, training, and capacity-building initiatives, the United Nations will work closely with the Government, the justice system, civil society and others to ensure the treaty’s obligations are fully implemented in law, policy, and practice, and accountability is ensured. Additional Resources for InformationMembers of the press and the general public seeking further information on the UN Convention against Torture or the support provided by the UN system in Dominica can visit: Human Rights Instrument: Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or PunishmentCommittee against Torture (CAT)- the body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the ConventionAbout the United Nations in DominicaThe United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UN RCO) in Dominica operates under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. This office is part of a multi-country arrangement, of seven islands and three British Overseas Territories, that includes Dominica, with the Resident Coordinator overseeing UN development activities across these nations. The United Nations works in partnership with the Government of Dominica, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable development, human rights, and resilience. Through its agencies, funds, and programs, the UN supports Dominica in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering a society rooted in dignity, equity, and opportunity for all. ---ENDS --- Media Contacts Carol GaskinCommunications and Advocacy Officer, UN Resident Coordinator OfficeEmail: carol-ann.gaskin@un.org; Telephone: 1(246) 467-6110 Marlon MarieUN Country Coordination Officer , Dominica, UN Resident Coordinator OfficeEmail: marlon.marie@un.org; Telephone: 1(767) 616 -7151 Juana SotomayorHuman Rights Adviser, United Nations Resident Coordinator Office Email: juana.sotomayor@un.org ; Telephone: 1(246) 467-6116
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Press Release
19 November 2024
G20 Leaders’ Summit: Brazil, UN and UNESCO launch Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change
The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change is an important intervention to boost support for urgent climate action at a time when scientists are warning that the world is running out of time.As stated by President Lula, “actions to combat climate change are also greatly affected by denialism and disinformation. Countries cannot tackle this problem individually. This initiative will bring together countries, international organizations, and networks of researchers to support joint efforts to tackle disinformation and promote actions in preparation for COP30 in Brazil,” said President Lula at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro.While initially discussed in the G20 framework, the Initiative is being established as a dedicated multilateral collaboration among States and international organizations to fund research and action promoting information integrity on climate issues. Aiming to expand the scope and breadth of research into climate disinformation and its impacts, the effort will gather evidence from around the world to inform and bolster strategic action, advocacy and communications.Countries committing to the Initiative will contribute to a UNESCO-administered fund, with a goal of raising an initial USD 10 to 15 million over the next 36 months, to be distributed as grants to non-governmental organizations to support their work to research climate information integrity, develop communication strategies and undertake public awareness campaigns.The UN and UNESCO have become key partners of the Brazilian government in this challenge, and other countries and international organizations aligned with climate goals and commitment to information integrity are now being invited to join. So far, Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Sweden have already confirmed participation.“We must fight the coordinated disinformation campaigns impeding global progress on climate change, ranging from outright denial to greenwashing to harassment of climate scientists. Through this Initiative, we will work with researchers and partners to strengthen action against climate disinformation,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.The risk posed by disinformation to achieving climate goals has been recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which stated in 2022 that “deliberate undermining of science” was contributing to “misperceptions of the scientific consensus, uncertainty, disregarded risk and urgency, and dissent.”“Without access to reliable information about climate disruption we can never hope to overcome it. Through this initiative, we will support the journalists and researchers investigating climate issues, sometimes at great risk to themselves, and fight the climate-related disinformation running rampant on social media,” urged Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General.The Initiative responds to the commitment in the Global Digital Compact, adopted by UN Members States in September, which encourages UN entities, in collaboration with Governments and relevant stakeholders, to assess the impact of mis- and disinformation on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.A press conference to launch the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change will take place at 1.30pm (Brazilian Time, GMT-3) on 19 November in Briefing Room 1 (G20 Summit area) with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay; UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming; and Minister-Chief of the Social Communication Secretariat at the Brazilian Presidency, Paulo Pimenta, besides other representatives of the Brazilian Government. The Secretary General of Government of Chile, Camila Vallejo, and the Ambassador of Denmark to Brazil, Eva Pedersen, will represent the States which have joined the Initiative. Philip Howard, President of the International Panel on the Information Environment, and Camille Grenier, Executive Director of the Forum on Information and Democracy will also be present.MEDIA CONTACTSUnited Nations: Martina Donlon: donlon@un.orgUNESCO: Clare O’Hagan: c.o-hagan@unesco.orgBrazil: Mariana Martins: mariana.martins@presidencia.gov.brFOR MORE INFORMATIONUN climate action site: www.un.org/climatechange/information-integrityUNESCO page: www.unesco.org/en/information-integrity-climate-change
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Press Release
16 August 2024
Efforts to strengthen Human Rights-based and Gender-sensitive Policing in Saint Lucia
The workshop was organized and facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with coordination support by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean’s (UN RCO) satellite office in Saint Lucia. This initiative is one of several interventions encapsulated in a consolidated offer by the United Nations to the Government , following a development partners meeting organized by the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office in Saint Lucia in October 2023. In alignment with the UNODC Strategy 2021-2025, the UNODC Strategic Vision for Latin America and the Caribbean 2022-2025, the Caribbean Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework 2022- 2026, and the General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/227 on “Equal access to justice for all’’, UNODC aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment and programming initiative focused on human rights-based and gender-responsive policing in Saint Lucia. This intervention is designed to contributes to meeting SDG 16.3, which promotes the rule of law at national and international levels and ensures equal access to justice for all. Anna Giudice, Team Lead of UNODC’s Access to Justice Team, under the Vienna-based Crime Prevention and Access to Justice Section, advised that a set of recommendations will be developed based on the workshop discussions, to inform further UNODC assistance to Saint Lucia in the area of police reform. She noted that: “the police are under pressure to perform with demands for safety security and justice. UNODC’s role is to support the police in executing their often-challenging duties.” The workshop furnished key insights to enhance the implementation of human rights-based and gender-sensitive police reform in Saint Lucia. It aims to ensure police efficiency, effectiveness, fairness, inclusivity, and humane treatment of marginalized and excluded communities—such as victims of violence, youth, migrants, persons with disabilities, and the poor—thus building and sustaining community trust, accountability, integrity, and transparency, ultimately promoting safety and justice for all, while contributing to a safe society and prevention and responses to crime.
Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security, Mrs. Sarah Dupre-Cotter welcomed this initiative, noting that: We are immensely grateful for the assistance and efforts of the UNODC in organizing this gathering and trust that all participants will immerse themselves in the presented material and utilize their expertise and experience so that, at the end of the session, viable recommendations can be presented to the UNODC, to facilitate their efforts in obtaining the necessary assistance to assist our continued efforts at police reform and equitable access to justice in Saint Lucia”. In relating her perspectives on the workshop, Woman Police Constable (WPC), Rubinia Joseph expressed her preference for its interactive approach, which highlighted challenges, needs and actionable solutions in key areas including human rights-based policing; gender-responsive policing; victim-centered policing and evidence-based policing. She further noted, “the intervention by UNODC is timely, well-placed and tailored to meet the needs of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) during this transformative period geared towards police reform and modernization.” WPC Joseph is hopeful that the workshop discussions will positively contribute to enhancing citizen security, justice and rule of law in Saint Lucia. The workshop was held at on the 5th Foor of the Finance Administrative Center, Pointe Seraphine, Castries from august 14-15, 2024. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Nations Security, particularly the RSLPF; the Ministry of Home Affairs (Fire Department, Parole and the Bordelais Corrections Facility); the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Chambers. Presentations were delivered by the UNODC and the Regional Security System (RSS). ---Ends--- Media Contacts:Dr. Lorraine Nicholas Resident Coordinator Office,Country Coordination Officer, Saint LuciaEmail: lorraine.nicholas@un.org Tel: +1(758)730-0771 Carol A. GaskinResident Coordinator Office,Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and AdvocacyEmail: carol-ann.gaskin@un.org Tel: +1(246)467-6110; Mobile +1(246)832-6110
Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security, Mrs. Sarah Dupre-Cotter welcomed this initiative, noting that: We are immensely grateful for the assistance and efforts of the UNODC in organizing this gathering and trust that all participants will immerse themselves in the presented material and utilize their expertise and experience so that, at the end of the session, viable recommendations can be presented to the UNODC, to facilitate their efforts in obtaining the necessary assistance to assist our continued efforts at police reform and equitable access to justice in Saint Lucia”. In relating her perspectives on the workshop, Woman Police Constable (WPC), Rubinia Joseph expressed her preference for its interactive approach, which highlighted challenges, needs and actionable solutions in key areas including human rights-based policing; gender-responsive policing; victim-centered policing and evidence-based policing. She further noted, “the intervention by UNODC is timely, well-placed and tailored to meet the needs of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) during this transformative period geared towards police reform and modernization.” WPC Joseph is hopeful that the workshop discussions will positively contribute to enhancing citizen security, justice and rule of law in Saint Lucia. The workshop was held at on the 5th Foor of the Finance Administrative Center, Pointe Seraphine, Castries from august 14-15, 2024. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Nations Security, particularly the RSLPF; the Ministry of Home Affairs (Fire Department, Parole and the Bordelais Corrections Facility); the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Chambers. Presentations were delivered by the UNODC and the Regional Security System (RSS). ---Ends--- Media Contacts:Dr. Lorraine Nicholas Resident Coordinator Office,Country Coordination Officer, Saint LuciaEmail: lorraine.nicholas@un.org Tel: +1(758)730-0771 Carol A. GaskinResident Coordinator Office,Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and AdvocacyEmail: carol-ann.gaskin@un.org Tel: +1(246)467-6110; Mobile +1(246)832-6110
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Press Release
11 July 2024
UN, partners launch $9 million response plan to help people affected by Hurricane Beryl in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
“Swift action is imperative to meet the pressing needs of people whose homes and livelihoods have vanished overnight,” said Simon Springett, the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which includes Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Regional Overview and Response Plan seeks $5 million for Grenada and $4 million for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.Hurricane Beryl struck the two countries on 1 July, marking an ominous start to what is predicted to be an intense 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Most of the buildings on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada, and Union Island in Saint Vincent, sustained heavy damage. Aid organizations are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage, but they are hindered by power cuts and downed telecommunications. Mr. Springett, who visited Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines after they were struck by Hurricane Beryl, said that the devastation is “immense and heartbreaking.”“I talked to many families and individuals whose homes and livelihoods have vanished literally overnight. It is likely that utilities will take a long time to be restored,” the Resident Coordinator noted.The response plan will help to both support immediate life-saving and early recovery efforts. The UN and its partners, who are supporting the Governments’ response, have identified shelter, food and health care as being among the top priorities.“International solidarity at this moment is critical in helping people recover from the devastation and rebuild their lives,” Mr. Springett said. “Together, we can help the communities devastated by Hurricane Beryl recover and rebuild stronger than before." The full Regional Overview and Response Plan can be found here: https://reliefweb.int/node/4076723For more information, please contact:Barbados: Carol A. Gaskin, Communications and Advocacy Officer, UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, carol-ann.gaskin@un.org, +1 (246) 467 6110Panama: Véronique Durroux, Head of Information & Advocacy for OCHA ROLAC, durroux@un.org, +507 6674 4740
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