United Nations 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:

Learn more

Take Action

24 October 2025

Explore Interactive Map of the UN in Latin America and the Caribbean

Launched to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, this interactive map allows users to explore the organisation's presence and impact across Latin America & the Caribbean.

1 of 3

Story

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

1 of 3

A UN Volunteer works at a compute rin an office setting

Story

30 September 2026

El Niño in the Amazon: Building resilience to crises in Suriname

In Suriname, rivers are more than waterways. They are roads, marketplaces, and lifelines connecting communities deep within the country's vast and remote rainforest interior. For generations, Indigenous and Maroon communities have relied on these waterways, adapting their lives to the rhythms of nature.But those rhythms are changing.Longer dry spells, more intense flooding, and increasingly unpredictable rainfall are making it harder for these communities to grow food, earn a living, and access essential supplies. When rivers run low during droughts, boats struggle to reach remote villages. Food prices rise, transport costs increase, and families can find themselves cut off from critical goods and services.For WFP, this reality reinforces a critical lesson: resilience is built before a crisis, not in response to one.A New Approach to PreparednessAcross Suriname and the wider Caribbean, WFP is working alongside governments, national disaster management authorities, and local partners to strengthen resilience before hazards turn into humanitarian emergencies.Central to this effort is the collaboration with the Government of Suriname through the Nationaal Coördinatie Centrum voor Rampenbeheersing (NCCR) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing (MOSAPH). Additionally further collaboration with, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Organizations such as VIDS Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden (Association of Indigenous Village Leaders) in Suriname and KAMPOS, which stands for Kwinti, Aluku, Matawai, Paramaccaners, Okanisi, and Saramacca (the six Maroon peoples of Suriname) help to better understand risks, strengthen preparedness systems, and identify practical solutions that can help communities withstand future shocks.Addressing this challenge requires action on several fronts. These include establishing anticipatory action mechanisms that enable earlier interventions, examining supply chain vulnerabilities, strengthening livelihoods, and supporting evidence-based planning. It also recognizes that resilience cannot be achieved through a single intervention. Instead, it requires a holistic approach that brings together disaster preparedness mechanisms, shock-responsive social protection, logistics, and strong context analysis. At its core is the commitment to ensuring that Indigenous and Maroon communities themselves participate and help shape the solutions designed to support them. Learning from Communities in the Interior These priorities were brought into sharp focus during a recent WFP mission to the interior of Suriname.The mission sought to better understand the diversity of communities living far from the country's coastal centers. WFP teams worked to map critical supply chain constraints, identify logistical bottlenecks that can emerge during shocks, and assess how communities access food and essential goods throughout the year.Equally important was engaging directly with Trio Indigenous communities in the southern Kwamalasamutu region on the border with Brazil and Saamaka Maroon communities along the Upper Suriname river, to understand how El Niño may affect livelihoods, listen to communities’ priorities and ensure support responds to their needs.These conversations revealed a powerful truth: generations of traditional knowledge hold valuable solutions for adapting to climate risks and building resilience. These knowledge systems are forms of environmental stewardship, developed over generations and central to the cultural identity, governance, and wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples' communities. The Value of Trio Indigenous KnowledgeFor centuries, Trio communities have maintained deep reciprocal relationships with their territories, developing extensive knowledge of local ecosystems, river systems, and seasonal cycles.Over time, these communities have developed practices that help them adapt to changing environmental conditions while preserving cultural traditions and social cohesion. WFP is committed to supporting and incorporating, community-driven approaches that reflect local realities, priorities, cultural contexts and respecting their rights. The most sustainable solutions are often those that build upon existing strengths, knowledge and governance systems while providing communities with additional tools, resources, and information to prepare for future shocks. Why Anticipatory Action Matters: Turning Data into ActionTraditionally, humanitarian response begins after a crisis occurs. Anticipatory action aims to change this by using forecasts and early warning systems to trigger support before the most severe impacts are felt, helping communities save lives, protect livelihoods, and safeguard food security.This is particularly important in Suriname, where climate shocks such as El Niño can disrupt river systems that remote communities rely on for transportation, livelihoods and access to food. Acting early can therefore strengthen preparedness while supporting longer-term resilience.To help turn early warning into early action, WFP brought together government agencies, technical institutions and civil society organisations like VIDS and Medical Mission for an Anticipatory Action workshop focused on Suriname. Combining community insights from field missions with risk data, technical assessments and stakeholder expertise, the workshop helped shape a more targeted and context-specific roadmap for anticipatory action in Suriname, ensuring that early warnings can translate into practical measures that reach communities when they matter most.Looking AheadAs climate risks intensify, the question is no longer whether shocks will occur, but how prepared countries and communities will be when they do.In Suriname’s Amazon, that preparedness is particularly critical. Many remote communities depend on rivers for transportation, food, livelihoods, and access to essential services. During severe drought, falling river levels can make some communities increasingly difficult to reach, disrupting supply routes and potentially cutting families off critical support just when they need it most.This is where anticipatory action can make a difference. By connecting early warning information with pre-agreed actions and financing, support can be mobilised before conditions deteriorate. Acting earlier can help protect food and livelihoods, strengthen last-mile supply chains, and reach vulnerable communities before access becomes more difficult and costly.For WFP, the value extends beyond responding sooner. Investing before a crisis can help reduce the human and operational costs of responding once a shock has escalated while strengthening national and community systems to manage future risks.By bringing together scientific forecasting, government leadership, generations of traditional knowledge and WFP’s technical expertise, Suriname is taking important steps towards a more resilient future, one where action begins before drought deepens, where rivers recede and where the people most affected are actively engaged.Written by: Bryanna Hadaway Senior Communications Associate WFP Caribbean MCO

1 of 5

A view from inside a wooden boat heading toward a riverbank landing dock. Passengers wearing sun hats sit in the foreground facing away from the camera as the boat approaches concrete steps leading up from a sandy shore surrounded by palm trees, dense greenery, and a partly cloudy sky.

Story

24 September 2026

‘Turn what we know into what we do,’ Barbados PM Mottley urges world leaders at UN

Addressing the UN General Assembly’s annual high-level debate, Ms. Mottley said the world faced multiplying obstacles to peace, food, water, finance, education and opportunity, even as it possessed greater knowledge and capacity to tackle them.“The failure to address these challenges, therefore, is not one simply of knowledge or capacity,” she said. “It is a repeated failure to convert what we know into what we do.”Beneath the multiple crises confronting humanity, she argued, lay another: “a crisis of responsibility”. ‘Reform cannot be selective’The Prime Minister said restoring trust required countries to accept responsibility for one another and for the international institutions they had created.She called for reform of the United Nations but cautioned that changing its structures would not be enough without addressing questions of power and representation.“Reform cannot be selective,” she said, arguing that the Security Council had failed to keep pace with a changing world.Ms. Mottley highlighted the absence of a permanent seat for Africa and the lack of assured representation for small island developing States, despite the security threats they face.Barbados, she announced, was joining 123 other Member States in supporting the Franco-Mexican initiative restricting use of the veto in situations involving mass atrocities.She also called for greater investment in conflict prevention and mediation, alongside adequately resourced peacekeeping.“The UN must receive the resources and the resolve to act before the guns speak, and not after the guns start to fly,” she said.Governing AI togetherTurning to artificial intelligence, Ms. Mottley described its potential to improve healthcare, disaster prediction, agriculture, education and public services.But she warned that the same technology could reproduce discrimination, expand surveillance and spread falsehoods faster than institutions could respond.“We must not allow a new technological age to reproduce old hierarchies of access and power,” she said.AI governance, she argued, could not be left solely to corporations or technologically advanced countries.“A technology that will affect every state must be governed by rules that every state has had the opportunity to shape.”Climate and inequalityMs. Mottley also returned to one of Barbados’ signature international concerns: climate finance.Climate-vulnerable countries needed to mobilise approximately $490 billion annually by 2030, she said, compared with current inflows of roughly $90 billion.“As young people in Barbados would say, the math simply ain’t mathing,” she said.She argued that climate resilience, debt sustainability and affordable finance could not be treated separately, while also identifying growing inequality as a driver of geopolitical tensions and declining trust.‘A friend of all’Turning to the Caribbean, Ms. Mottley called for greater international support for security and political renewal in Haiti, opposed the embargo and other unilateral coercive measures against Cuba, and reaffirmed support for a peaceful resolution of the territorial controversy between Guyana and Venezuela through the International Court of Justice.“The Caribbean must remain a zone of peace,” she stressed.As Barbados approaches 60 years since joining the United Nations, Ms. Mottley recalled the foreign-policy principle articulated by the country’s first Prime Minister, Errol Barrow: Barbados would be “a friend of all and a satellite of none”............................................................................This story was first published by UN News

1 of 5

rime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados addresses the United Nations General Assembly with open hands from behind a podium in front of a dark green marble backdrop.

Story

23 September 2026

United Nations Celebrates International Day of Sign Languages across the Caribbean

The 2026 International Day of Sign Languages calls for action to make deaf people’s human rights a reality in all areas of life. Under the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights”, the Day highlights the importance of recognising, protecting and promoting these rights, including full access through national sign languages.This initiative, comes on the heels of the recent launch of the UN HireAbility Campaign, a regional partnership with the private sector and employers, which seeks to promote employment for persons with disabilities, including members of the deaf and hard of hearing community across the Caribbean. UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean , Simon Springett, said the Caribbean advocacy video features signers from across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago, and underscores the importance of sign languages for effective communication, building community and transferring cultural heritage. "The UN Team across the Caribbean is honored to celebrate International Day of Sign Languages, which aligns well with our collective efforts to foster disability inclusion in every space. A total of nine countries from across four Country Teams supported the production of this video, signalling our commitment to ensuring that the rights of deaf persons are realized. Our overarching goal is to see accessible workplaces and communities, where talent is recognised, barriers are removed, and every person is afforded dignity, opportunity and respect. We commend advocates and partners who are supporting us on this journey," he added. The History of International Day of Sign LanguagesThe UN General Assembly proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. The proposal for the Day came from the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), a federation of 140 national member organizations representing more than 70 million deaf people’s human rights worldwide, and commemorates the date of its establishment in 1951. The resolution A/RES/72/161 was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, co-sponsored by 97 United Nations Member States and adopted by consensus on 19 December 2017. Important Anniversary Milestones This year, marks the WFD’s 75th anniversary, and 20 years since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which has been a key instrument for advocacy, driving change, shaping policies, and strengthening the recognition of national sign languages. These milestones not only celebrate decades of progress, but also underscore how far the global deaf communities have come in advancing their rights. As we mark these anniversaries, we are called not only to celebrate, but to act. This is a moment to advocate actively and accelerate the full realisation of deaf people’s human rights.According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide, with more than 80% living in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. ...................................................................................This story was first published by United Nations Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

1 of 5

Four students wearing matching white button-down school uniforms and dark bottoms stand in a row in front of bookshelves in a library. Each student performs a sign language gesture with crossed arms and hands pointing outward.

Story

15 September 2026

RIISE begins operations to accelerate resilient infrastructure delivery in the Eastern Caribbean

Miami, 15 September 2026 — The governments of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can now access support from the Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) Facility to accelerate the delivery of climate-resilient infrastructure projects. RIISE has officially begun operations, and is ready to provide specialized technical assistance to overcome implementation bottlenecks so that investments are swiftly translated into completed, resilient public infrastructure on the ground.Funded by the Government of Canada and hosted by UNOPS, RIISE operates through a Secretariat based in Barbados and is governed by participating Caribbean countries, with technical guidance from an independent panel of experts."Resilient infrastructure is essential to economic development, climate adaptation, and the well-being of Caribbean communities. Canada is pleased to support RIISE as a regionally led facility that will help governments access the expertise and support needed to deliver priority infrastructure investments. By helping address implementation challenges and strengthening countries' ability to move projects forward, RIISE has the potential to accelerate resilient infrastructure delivery and generate lasting benefits for Caribbean communities", said H.E. Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.RIISE currently supports Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Eastern Caribbean in accelerating increasingly complex climate investments, ensuring local teams have direct, on-demand access to specialized technical expertise. By providing targeted support during project implementation, RIISE complements existing financing and project-preparation mechanisms and helps governments move projects toward completion.This implementation support can target a range of projects, including water and sanitation, transport, energy, coastal protection, public buildings, disaster recovery, health, education, and housing. Governments can access two service modalities: Short-term technical advisory services to resolve specific challenges. and temporary specialist deployments to reinforce local teams, combining remote and in-country support tailored to each assignment.Through these two modalities, governments can access expertise in project management, procurement, contract management, engineering and technical reviews, and financial management.To support resilient and inclusive delivery, RIISE can also deploy specialized expertise across environmental and social safeguards, climate resilience, and gender equality and social inclusion, alongside stakeholder engagement, communications, monitoring and reporting, and risk management.How to access support: Ministries and public institutions in the four participating countries can request assistance through their designated National Focal Points, who can fill out the online Request Form outlining the project, the implementation challenge, and expected outcomes. The Secretariat will use this information to assess eligibility and work with the requesting institution to define the scope of assistance and expertise required. For guidance on preparing and submitting a request, visit riise-caribbean.org or contact secretariat@riise-caribbean.org. “Today marks an important moment for the Caribbean. UNOPS is proud to provide the operational backbone for this Caribbean-led initiative. Governments across the region have set a bold vision for more resilient infrastructure; our role is to help turn that ambition into results by providing national institutions with the additional capacity, expertise and implementation support they need to deliver for their people,” said Giuseppe Mancinelli, UNOPS Caribbean Director.Beyond its immediate implementation support, RIISE’s longer-term ambition is to help strengthen and retain technical expertise within the Caribbean. As the facility evolves, this could include opportunities for specialists to work alongside public-sector teams and for countries to share knowledge and experience, helping local teams build the expertise to lead future infrastructure initiatives.RIISE was officially launched on 14 September at a side event of the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami.Participants included Hon. Shawn Edward, Minister of Infrastructure, Ports Services, and Energy of Saint Lucia; Hon. Andrew John, Minister of Housing, Land Management, Urban Development, and Informal Settlement Upgrading of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security of Dominica; Alva Browne, Permanent Secretary in Grenada’s Ministry of Infrastructure, and H.E. Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, alongside representatives of international financial institutions, international organizations, and infrastructure development partners.While Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are the initial focus, RIISE is designed with the potential to expand its reach over time in response to government needs and as additional partnerships and resources are mobilized. *** ENDS *** Notes to editorsPhotos RIISE Press contact: Sofía Trejos, UNOPS Communications Senior Officer for the Caribbean, sofiatr@unops.org, +506 8704 2199Global Affairs Canada Press contact: Denyce Blackman, Political-Economic and Public Affairs Officer, BDGTNGR@international.gc.caAbout RIISE: The Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) is a regional technical assistance facility funded by the Government of Canada and hosted by UNOPS. It will initially support Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by helping governments overcome implementation challenges, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote regional knowledge exchange in resilient infrastructure delivery.

1 of 5

Group photo at the RIISE launch event, showing eight participants standing on a stage in front of a display screen and seating area. The event was held during the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami to mark the launch of the Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) Facility. Participants are arranged in a single row for an official photograph. A screen displaying RIISE branding is visible on the left, with conference seating and a beige patterned backdrop beh

Story

07 September 2026

UNESCO launches WINGS Caribbean to advance science, women and Caribbean transformation

The UNESCO Office for the Caribbean launched today WINGS Caribbean (Women Inspiring New Generations in Science), a new fellowship initiative designed to support outstanding women researchers and innovators whose work addresses some of the Caribbean’s most pressing development challenges.Under the theme “Advancing Science. Advancing Women. Transforming the Caribbean,” WINGS Caribbean will award two fellowships of USD 10,000 each, one in STEM and one in Social Impact.The initiative is specifically aimed at mid-career and advanced-career women whose projects address priorities including climate and environmental resilience, disaster risk reduction, digital innovation, applied scientific research, social development, governance, social entrepreneurship and community-based research.Fellows will have up to 12 months to develop projects capable of delivering practical and measurable societal benefits.The Caribbean needs the full power of its scientific talent to meet the challenges ahead, and women must be at the center of that effort. WINGS Caribbean is not simply about supporting women in science. It is about advancing science itself by ensuring that some of the Caribbean’s most talented women researchers and innovators have the opportunity, resources and visibility to develop solutions that can make a tangible difference to our societies.— Eric Falt, Regional Director of UNESCO for the CaribbeanWINGS Caribbean builds on a growing portfolio of UNESCO initiatives supporting women and girls in science across the region. Together, these initiatives reflect a sustained commitment to supporting women at different stages of the scientific journey, from inspiring the next generation to enabling established researchers and innovators to make a greater impact.WINGS Caribbean is designed to complement this pathway by addressing a different stage of the scientific career: supporting mid-career and advanced-career women to take their research and innovation further, strengthen its application to Caribbean priorities, and translate scientific achievement into leadership and tangible societal impact.WINGS Caribbean is being implemented by the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, in technical collaboration with The University of the West Indies, Mona, Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.Through the two fellowship streams, UNESCO and its partners aim to strengthen scientific excellence, increase the visibility and leadership of women in research and innovation, and build a growing regional network of women whose work is helping shape a more resilient, innovative and sustainable Caribbean. How to ApplyApplications are open to eligible women nationals of UNESCO Member States and Associate Members in the English-speaking and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. Each selected fellow will receive USD 10,000 for a project lasting up to 12 months.Application deadline: 30 September 2026 at 11.59 pm Jamaica time (UTC−5)WINGS Caribbean Call for Applications WINGS Caribbean Online Application FormFor further information, please contact the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean at kingston@unesco.org..........................................................The news was first published by the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean.

1 of 5

View all

Press Release

16 September 2026

700 fishers and fish vendors certified to strengthen their livelihoods in three bays protected area

The certification ceremony, held at the Roi Henry Christophe Campus of Limonade (CHCL/UEH), brought together government authorities from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of the Environment (MdE), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR), as well as representatives of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Technical Execution Unit (UTE) and other key project stakeholders.The 400 fish vendors and 300 fishers completed training on fishing equipment management, sustainable management of fisheries resources, safety at sea and sustainable fishing techniques. They form the second group to receive certification under the project’s efforts to strengthen the livelihoods of people working in the artisanal fishing sector, following an initial cohort of 204 fish vendors who had already received training.Marcelin Aubourg, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, stated:« The I-BE Project addresses issues of particular importance to our country. In the departments of Nord-Est and Nord, and especially in the Three Bays Protected Area of Managed Natural Resources (AP3B), we must reconcile the protection of fragile natural resources with improving the living conditions of the populations who depend on them. The project must help diversify livelihoods, increase incomes, improve nutrition, and develop economic activities compatible with sustainable natural resource management. »The training is part of a broader package of measures to strengthen livelihoods along the artisanal fishing value chain. These include the establishment of the AP3B Fisher Support Cooperative (CAPAB) and the provision of fishing equipment, including a fish aggregating device (FAD) and four floating traps.Minister of Environment Valery Fils-Aimé, for his part, expressed strong satisfaction with the project's progress, noting that the initiative reinforces Haiti's efforts to implement its commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change:« Our ambition is for the Grand Nord to become a pilot territory for a new approach, a blue economy that protects biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience, creates income and jobs, and opens the way to new financing mechanisms, particularly through the carbon market. »
IFAD’s third supervision missionThe ceremony took place as part of IFAD’s third supervision mission to the I-BE Project. IFAD is the project’s main financier, providing US $23 million toward a total project budget of US $26.6 million.Samir Bejaoui, IFAD Country Director for Haiti, highlighted the investment's direct impact on communities:« Smallholder producers and fishers are having a tangible impact on their communities' livelihoods through more entrepreneurship-oriented practices. Thanks to the training and equipment provided under the I-BE project, their skills are being strengthened, with improved access to markets and the adoption of sustainable practices. This is helping them increase their incomes and become more resilient to economic, climate, and social volatility. Through this investment, IFAD reaffirms its commitment to long-term, sustainable rural development for Haiti's rural populations. »Through its Technical Execution Unit (UTE), the Ministry of Economy and Finance implements the project in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, and the National Agency for Protected Areas (ANAP). The partnership aims to strengthen project governance while helping local artisanal fishing communities put their skills and knowledge into practice and strengthen their livelihoods.Jean Béluis, a fisher from Fort-Liberté and a beneficiary of the training, said:« Thanks to the training, we have, while building our capacity, learned how to properly manage the sea. In the past, we were content simply to fish, without knowing that as fishers we had a responsibility to protect marine resources, the marine environment, and to properly maintain our fishing equipment. Today, things are different.»Implemented in the municipalities of Limonade, Caracol, Terrier-Rouge, Fort-Liberté and Ferrier, the I-BE Project has reached 5,699 households to date, approximately 28,345 people, across its different areas of intervention.5,699 households, approximately 28,345 people, across its different areas of intervention, including artisanal fishing, rice production, beekeeping, cattle farming, mangrove conservation and microfinance. Press ContactTechnical Execution Unit (UTE/MEF)Galvany Nicolas, Communication Specialistgnicolas@ute.gouv.ht(509) 4040-4566

1 of 5

Press Release

31 August 2026

UN launches regional campaign for disability-inclusive employment in the Caribbean

The regional initiative, which promotes disability-inclusive employment and advances the economic participation of persons with disabilities, has attracted support from leading businesses, with some having committed to equitable hiring practices and workplace cultures through a Disability Inclusive Employer’s Pledge.The ‘HireAbility Campaign’ connects six UN Country Teams in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean and brings together governments, employers, organisations of persons with disabilities, youth advocates, development partners and UN agencies. Mr Simon Springett, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, in delivering Opening Remarks for the Campaign’s official launch, described it as "an important milestone for disability inclusion across the Caribbean", while highlighting its evolution from “a powerful idea advanced by Zinzee Noel, a youth advocate and Grenada’s representative on the UN Youth Advisory Group (YAG), to a Caribbean movement for inclusive employment and equal opportunity”. "Although barriers differ across countries, the aspiration is universal: persons with disabilities must be able to participate fully in society, access decent work, contribute their talents and skills, and be recognised for those contributions," he maintained. The UN Head thanked disability advocates, employers, and Caribbean businesses, including Massy Stores Saint Lucia, Grenada Broadcasting Network, and photography and videography companies Unique Productions Inc. and Bajanpro Inc. of Grenada and Barbados, respectively, for their leadership and support. He also urged stakeholders to view the campaign not as a one-time event but as part of a sustained journey toward accessible workplaces and more inclusive communities.In her welcome remarks, Ms Noel, who co-hosted the event alongside Mr Loik Charles, fellow youth disability advocate and YAG representative for Dominica, underscored the campaign's central message that persons with disabilities already possess the skills, qualifications, creativity and determination needed to contribute meaningfully to the workforce. Reflecting on her own journey, where she faced ongoing discrimination despite being qualified and extremely capable, she maintained, "The HireAbility Campaign gives us an opportunity to change the conversation. Its message is simple but powerful: Break barriers. Embrace inclusion. Champion rights.” Ms Noel stressed that inclusive hiring benefits not only individuals but also strengthens organisations, communities and economies.Thomas Kring, Deputy Director of the International Labour Organization Caribbean Office, in his Feature Address told participants, "Access to decent work is not charity. It's about rights, dignity, equality and economic participation.” Charging that labour markets must provide persons with disabilities with fair opportunities to develop their skills, find decent work and contribute fully to society, he described the Inclusive Employer Pledge as a public commitment to equitable hiring, dignity, respect and equal opportunity.Among the highlights of the launch was the signing of the Disability Inclusive Employer Pledge by representatives of Carenage Bay Holding Ltd in Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Runman Belize Corporation; and The Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited. Signatories also outlined concrete actions being taken to fulfil this public commitment, including plans by the Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited to launch an internship programme for persons with disabilities. Bringing the curtain down on the launch ceremony, Mr Charles urged employers and partners across the Caribbean to sign the Pledge, remove workplace barriers, strengthen partnerships, and commit to long-term change that advances disability inclusion across the region.A disability inclusion sensitisation webinar immediately followed the launch, with presentations by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) offering practical expert guidance on inclusive hiring, workplace accessibility, reasonable accommodation, violence and harassment prevention, and supportive workplace environments. The HireAbility Campaign will continue over the next four months and culminate on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, thus providing more employers with the opportunity to sign the Pledge. The campaign’s ultimate goal is a Caribbean where talent is recognised, barriers are removed, and persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in the world of work.

1 of 5

Press Release

27 July 2026

Global Affairs Canada and UNOPS sign agreement to accelerate resilient infrastructure implementation in the Eastern Caribbean

BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS), 27 July 2026.— Global Affairs Canada and UNOPS have signed an agreement to establish the Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) Facility, a new Caribbean regional initiative designed to help governments deliver resilient infrastructure investments more effectively.Funded by the Government of Canada and hosted by UNOPS, RIISE is a groundbreaking regional mechanism that will initially support Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Anchored by a Secretariat based in Barbados, RIISE combines regional leadership with UNOPS global expertise and operational support—operating in line with UN values and administrative standards. The Secretariat will coordinate requests from participating governments and mobilize specialized expertise to help overcome infrastructure implementation challenges."Canada is proud to support RIISE as part of our longstanding commitment to strengthening climate resilience across the Caribbean. By helping governments deliver resilient infrastructure more effectively, build local capacity and promote specialized expertise across the region, RIISE will generate lasting benefits for Caribbean communities while deepening the strong ties between Canada and the region," said Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.Across the Caribbean, governments are advancing ambitious infrastructure and climate-resilience investments, yet many projects face implementation bottlenecks. Created to respond to government demand, RIISE provides targeted technical assistance to strengthen implementation capacity and accelerate project delivery."Caribbean governments have clear priorities and an ambitious vision for resilient and sustainable development. RIISE will provide timely access to the specialized expertise they need to overcome implementation challenges and turn those priorities into tangible results for communities. At the same time, it will strengthen national capacities and foster greater regional collaboration," explained Giuseppe Mancinelli, UNOPS Director for Barbados and Caribbean Coordinator.Support may include short-term technical advisory services, the temporary deployment of specialists, and the exchange of practical knowledge and experience across countries. Assistance will be tailored to the needs of each government and assignment.RIISE will complement financing and project-preparation mechanisms already operating in the Caribbean by concentrating on the implementation phase, helping governments translate approved investments and national priorities into tangible results for communities.Participating governments facing implementation challenges with infrastructure projects are encouraged to engage with the RIISE team early as potential opportunities for initial support are explored.The facility will be officially launched on 14 September 2026 on the sidelines of the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami. **** ENDS *** Notes to editorsUNOPS Press contact:
Sofía Trejos, UNOPS Communications Senior Officer for the Caribbean, sofiatr@unops.org, +506 8704 2199Global Affairs Canada Press contact:
Denyce Blackman, Political-Economic and Public Affairs Officer, BDGTNGR@international.gc.caAbout RIISE
The Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) is a regional technical assistance facility funded by the Government of Canada and hosted by UNOPS. It will initially support Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by helping governments overcome implementation challenges, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote regional knowledge exchange in resilient infrastructure delivery.About UNOPS
UNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org.About Global Affairs Canada
Global Affairs Canada manages diplomatic relations, promotes international trade, provides consular assistance, and leads Canada's international development, humanitarian assistance, and peace and security efforts.

1 of 5

Press Release

02 July 2026

‘Be led by evidence’ – Barbados Minister tells CARICOM statisticians

BRIDGETOWN, 2 July 2026 – “I want to encourage us to be led by evidence,” Hon. Marsha Caddle, M.P. Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados, told experts emphatically during the 35th Meeting of the CARICOM Advisory Group on Statistics (AGS). The week-long technical meeting in Barbados is being convened by the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) andUNICEF. The Minister made her remarks as she reflected on current conversations about falling fertility, aging, and immigration occurring in hercountry and in other parts of the world and the anecdotes that appear to be fueling the discourse. “It is also important to establish a single source of truth,” she added, pointing out that it is critical to know why data matters.As she characterized statisticians as the “unsung heroes of evidence-based policymaking in the Region”, the Minister called for more investment in data gathering. A wide-ranging agenda at the meeting deals with pressing issues such as the implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) and reviewing and refining the Draft Regional Census Strategy for the 2030 Population and Housing Census Round. It will also consider the proposed establishment of the CARICOM Regional Population Commission. A key feature will be the Dialogue on South-South Cooperation in Census Readiness, which will bring together CARICOM Member States, development partners, and technical experts of the Government of India to exchange technical expertise and explore innovations in census preparation. The dialogue forms part of the ‘Enhancing Census Preparedness in the Caribbean’ initiative, supported by the UN-India Sustainable Development Goals Country Fund, and is expected to strengthen regional readiness for the 2030 census round.Halim Brizan, Director of the Regional Statistics Programme at the CARICOM Secretariat, said the meeting is happening at a pivotal moment in the development of statistics in CARICOM, highlighting the Region’s preparation for the 2030 Round of Population and Housing Census, and the assessment of CARICOM’s progress in implementing its RSDS.“The overarching objective of this Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the AGS is to advance the implementation of the RSDS. During this meeting, we will also exchange experiences on the RSDS implementation framework, CARICOM's regional mechanisms for South-South Cooperation and consider the establishment of the CARICOM Regional Population Commission among other important initiatives,” he said in opening remarks. In his address, Shohrat Orazov, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area, underscored the importance of reliable, timely and comparable data to effective policymaking particularly as Caribbean countries navigate increasingly complex social and climate-related challenges. “Strong statistical systems not only help us understand these challenges but also enable governments and partners to design more effective responses and measures to progress overtime,” he said.Jenny Karlsen, Deputy Director of the UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean contextualized the meeting as an effort benefitting from cross-country collaboration on statistics. She referred to the importance of demographic data as the foundation of decision-making across government sectors and acknowledged the unique challenges the Region faces in collecting and disseminating data. She added that 2026 is “a year of urgency and opportunity” in developing new approaches. “As the 2030 Census round begins, the Caribbean Community stands to benefit from the strong technical and strategic relationships that its Member States share, embodied in the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics, as well as common initiatives in capacity strengthening. The Advisory Group on Statistics provides a strong platform to leverage ongoing collaboration and to think strategically about how to collect and use population data over the coming years,” she stressed . Please watch the opening ceremony of the 35th AGS here. About the Advisory Group on StatisticsThe AGS is the principal subsidiary body of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS). It provides strategic guidance on regional statistical priorities and makes recommendations to the SCCS on the development, adoption and implementation of regional statistical programmes and best practices.

1 of 5

View all