The General Assembly High-level week begins on Monday 22 September with the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, which will convene from 9 to 10 a.m. (Eastern Caribbean time/UTC-4) in the General Assembly Hall in New York.  Heads of State and Government will reflect on the achievements of the Organization since it’s establishment and chart a future path for a more inclusive and responsive multilateral system. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, and Secretary-General António Guterres will deliver remarks.   Playlist Highlighting Caribbean leaders' participation in the General Debate of UNGA80Other High-level events on 22 September:High-level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)SDG Moment (2 to 4 p.m.)High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution (3 to 6 p.m.)UNGA80:Schedule of MeetingsHigh-level MeetingsMeeting summariesGeneral Debate:The General Debate begins on 23  September and is scheduled to continue through the 27th and on the 29th.  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) platforms and events include SDG Moment (22 September),  Goals Lounge (20-26th), and SDG Media Zone (22-26th).Live stream of all events: UN WebTV. Follow CaribbeanUN for UNGA80 coverage.  Caribbean Debate Schedule:Tuesday 23 September MORNING (9 am - 2:45 pm)Suriname (9th speaker) — Her Excellency Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of the Republic of SurinameWednesday24 September AFTERNOON (3 - 9 PM)Guyana (8th speaker) — His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of GuyanaThursday 25 September MORNING (9 am - 2:45 pm)Haiti (7th speaker) — His Excellency Anthony Franck Laurent Saint Cyr, President of the Presidential Council of the Transition for HaitiThursday 25 September AFTERNOON (3 - 9 PM)Dominica (3rd speaker) — Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton President of DominicaFriday 26 September MORNING (9 am - 2:45 pm)Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (6th speaker) — PendingBarbados (17th speaker) — PendingFriday 26 September AFTERNOON (3 - 9 PM)Trinidad and Tobago (7th speaker) — PendingAntigua and Barbuda (9th speaker) — PendingBelize (10th speaker) — PendingSaturday 27 September MORNING (9 am - 2:45 pm)Bahamas (1st speaker) — PendingJamaica (3rd speaker) — PendingGrenada (4th speaker) — PendingSaint Kitts and Nevis (6th speaker) — PendingMonday 29 September MORNING (9 am - 2:45 pm)Saint Lucia (5th speaker) — Pending

Communities across the Caribbean will be better prepared to face hurricanes and other natural hazards thanks to the Resilient Caribbean Project, a new initiative funded by the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The €1.1 million project will support 13 CDEMA participating states by strengthening disaster preparedness and response capacities, improving regional collaboration, and ensuring inclusive support for the most vulnerable populations. Ms. Michelle Forbes, Director of National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), welcomed the project: “We are pleased to join this project and support this initiative that will be implemented across our region. As a multi-island state, St Vincent and the Grenadines is no stranger to the impacts of hazards.  The recent events have shown that we have had internal migration within St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The recent experiences from Hurricane Beryl saw population being displaced across the country, especially in the Southern Grenadines.  And hence, a project like this that has different approaches in terms of mass evacuation plans, looking at the early warning system, and hence, enhancing capacity at the national level is very much welcome”. “At times, our well-intentioned strategic plans may fail to translate into tangible benefits for communities” said Mandela Christian, Programme Manager for Preparedness and Response (CDEMA).  “This project places people at the center, ensuring that the voices of those (who are) most affected guide our actions, and that outcomes are felt on the ground where they matter most.” The EU’s commitment to strengthening Caribbean resilience was recently formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and the Latin America and Caribbean regions. Building on this framework, Daniela D’Urso, the Caribbean Coordinator and Regional Expert for Latin America and the Caribbean for DG ECHO emphasized that “this action will deliver concrete results for the most vulnerable, while also strengthening the region’s overall preparedness and resilience. ECHO stands ready to accompany IOM, CDEMA, and national authorities throughout this endeavour, guided by the principles of partnership, accountability, and collective responsibility.” Alexandra Bate, IOM Project Manager, explained that the project will integrate displacement and human mobility into disaster plans, advance displacement data and community early warning systems, strengthen coordination and logistics for emergency shelters, and deploy rapid, lifesaving response during emergencies.   Alongside CDEMA, national disaster offices, Caribbean Shelter and Non-Food Item Thematic Working Group partners, IOM will work with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) to build capacities on displacement data, and CIMA Research Foundation to support risk and vulnerability assessments using their methodology, already piloted in one Caribbean country. IOM’s Coordinator for the Caribbean, and Chief of Mission for Barbados, Patrice Quesada closed with three main takeaways: “First - Preparedness starts with people. Communities know their needs best. We will intensify our efforts to train and support local national and non-governmental organizations to lead.  “Second - Preparedness means the right supplies, in the right place, at the right time when families need them most. On day one and months later. “And last, disaster preparedness and response on day-one, and months later, is all about partnership. No one can do it alone.” The Resilient Caribbean Project represents a joint commitment by the EU, IOM, and CDEMA partners to make Caribbean communities safer, stronger, and more resilient in the face of climate-related risks.  Watch the project launch at http://bit.ly/4nBdpwJ  For more information on the project, please contact Project Manager Alexandra Bate at abate@iom.int or  IOMCaribbeanOffice@iom.int. 

When Hurricane Beryl tore through the Eastern Caribbean in 2024, UN Resident Coordinator Simon Springett was on the ground listening to families who had lost everything; then helping mobilize international support for urgent relief. A few weeks later, he was side by side with young climate activists in Barbados, calling their energy “unstoppable.” Since becoming UN Resident Coordinator for the Multi-country Office in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in June 2024, his work has carried him from policy rooms to peace walks, always with one motivation: keeping people at the center of the UN’s mission. Learn about his experience in this dynamic interview*: What drives you in your role as the UN Resident Coordinator?The UN Resident Coordinator (RC), representing the Secretary-General, is the highest representative of the UN development system at the country level, focusing on coordination and bringing the expertise of diverse UN entities to tackle national priorities. What could be more rewarding than partnering with governments to improve life for communities? Without sustainable development, peace and security are difficult to achieve.  

It’s a truly motivating job—one day you’re engaging with the International Maritime Organisation, the next with UNIDO on industrial policy, and another day in a school discussing curriculum reforms with UNICEF. 

Choosing the UN is more than just a career path, it’s a moral and values-driven decision. With that in the back of your mind (and in the front of your heart), it’s impossible not to smile when you come to work. You have the opportunity to contribute to making a difference tomorrow. Some things take time and everything builds momentum, so it’s a fabulous opportunity to bein this office every day.  What would you say is unique about your role in leading a Multi-country Office?This Multi-Country Office covers seven small states and three UK overseas territories with varying income and development levels. The challenge? Balancing regional strategy while addressing each country’s needs. 

Serving in 10 small island developing countries has shown how countries can come together to work collectively to benefit multiple countries at once. Sustainable development knows no boundaries, everyone has the same needs and aspirations, and working together is one way to achieve our collective goals.  

The UN House in Barbados, generously donated by the government, symbolizes commitment to multilateralism. Barbados is a vibrant Caribbean hub with an ambitious global outlook. Walking in, you feel the passion and the joy. It is also our ‘home.’ Here, we invite diplomats, development partners, NGOs, private sector, academia and governments for constructive conversations in a welcoming space —something deeply valued in the Caribbean. 

With over 340 staff across the region, the UN House is a hub for 23 UN entities supporting the Eastern Caribbean. This proximity enhances coordination, reduces duplication, and boosts efficiency.  What are some economic challenges specific to the Eastern Caribbean?Communities in Small Island Developing States have unique obstacles. Despite their size, they face the same governance and development challenges as larger nations. Small civil service, brain drain, high external debt, and capacity gaps challenge sustainable development ambitions. The challenges are complex, especially trying to deliver the scale required at a regional level to make immediate and tangible impacts on people's lives. 
 
In response, the UN focuses on offering cohesive high-quality policy support and creating opportunities for innovative development financing. We act as a connector, helping countries engage private investors or multilateral development banks, and working to de-risk investments. In Barbados, for example, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) manages the renovation of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (funded by the European Investment Bank) while ensuring skills in project management and procurement are transferred to government and hospital staff.The Eastern Caribbean region is also particularly prone to climate impacts and extreme weather incidents. In your role as UN Resident Coordinator and working with UN entities, how do you straddle the dual issues of disaster response and risk reduction with the long-term vision of sustainable development?Going into Hurricane season is always stressful. As the old saying goes, it is not if a disaster will occur, but when?I am fortunate to co-chair a Caribbean coordination structure with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) that focuses on preparedness and response. Helping consolidate the UN’s and partners’ expertise on both, immediate humanitarian needs and long-term resilience, , is a very natural space for the Resident Coordinator to occupy.  

The way authorities, the UN and civil society came together after the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl 2024 underscores the urgent need for solutions for of these issues, We continue to advocate for greater international support for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Caribbean. 

Sustainable development is strengthened by risk reduction and investments in resilience, both systems and infrastructure,. For example, this means incorporating risk informed, climate-resilient measures into infrastructure projects, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening early warning systems and disaster preparedness.  At a time when multilateralism is under pressure, what is the UN’s added value?One of the UN’s greatest strengths is that all stakeholders respect and trust us because of our convening power, institutional knowledge, capacities, staff and skills. Our focus is not just on efficiency but on inclusion—always asking: will the elderly, marginalized, and or rural communities benefit from this service? If not, how can we fix it? This human-centered approach is core to our DNA.  

Our long-term, inclusive mindset is what sets us apart; ensuring no one is left behind. Another key value we bring is in capacity-building, which is non-negotiable. If a programme doesn’t strengthen local systems and skills, it needs to be redesigned.  With 5 years to 2030, how do you see the Sustainable Development Goals being important to peoples' lives in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean?Ultimately, the Sustainable Development Goals are about making the lives of individuals, families, and communities better, while also working to preserve and protect the natural environment. Achieving these goals is of paramount importance to everyone, regardless of where you live, but particularly small island states with their specific challenges.  
As a result, the SDGs have become a unifying agenda across the Caribbean, which serves to foster collaboration across governments, UN agencies, and civil society. 

We need to recommit to investments and programmes that focus on economic, climate, and social resilience. Programmes that keep families and communities at the top of the agenda and foster broader partnerships. The Resident Coordinator’s role here is to really ensure that we all pull in the same direction towards a common vision, this goalpost of 2030 and I am proud to be a champion for these efforts in the Caribbean.*This article has been adapted from an interview published by UN DCO earlier by UN Today. Read the original article here.

Belize City, Belize - 22 August 2025 - Forty-four participants from 14 Caribbean countries, including Belize, actively engaged in a four-day regional workshop on population estimates and projections held from 18–21 August 2025 in Belize City. Organized by the United Nations Population Fund Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean (UNFPA SROC) and the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Center (ECLAC-CELADE), the training brought together demography practitioners and technicians from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) and other National Statistical Offices (NSOs) across the Caribbean region to strengthen their skills in producing accurate and policy-relevant population projections. This workshop marked a key milestone in advancing the goals of the Enabling of Belize's Statistical System (EBSS) project, which is being implemented from 2024 to 2027 with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The project supports Belize through the SIB as the main beneficiary and implementing partner in modernizing and strengthening its statistical systems and serves as a model for broader capacity-building efforts across the Caribbean.
  The official opening held on 18 August, was attended by the organizers UNFPA SROC, ECLAC, and KOICA, government officials, other UN agencies and participants from various NSOs across the Caribbean region. Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Carlos Pol, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Economic Transformation emphasized how accurate data informs our strategic planning, resource allocation and policy development.In her welcome address, Ms. Tisa Grant, Liaison Specialist/ Head of Office for UNFPA in Belize, outlined UNFPA’s commitment to supporting national statistical systems. “Interventions such as UNFPA’s technical support to censuses and demographic analysis across the Caribbean have already shown their value: from improving census planning and cartography, to strengthening national capacity in projections, to ensuring that census data are turned into usable intelligence for programming, policy, and emergency response. This is the essence of our mandate, to make data work for people, so that no one is left behind.”Also speaking at the opening, Mr. Simone Cecchini, Director, CELADE-Population Division, ECLAC, highlighted the long standing collaboration between ECLAC and Caribbean NSO’s. “When we provide technical assistance, our main goal is the leave capacity installed within countries. We are convinced that holding this regional workshop is an excellent additional opportunity to strengthen teams and build capacity to lead the process of reviewing estimates and projections with greater autonomy and solid technical foundations ensuring continuity in the production and analysis of demographic statistics in the country.”Mrs. Diana Castillo-Trejo, Director-General for the Statistical Institute of Belize shared the successes of the EBSS project and activities in progress under this initiative. Activities include: the development of legislation for the governance of the National Statistical System, a quarterly training program to be delivered by SIB for NSS agencies, and quality assurance framework for the SIB and NSS.Remarks delivered by Sohui Cho, Country Director KOICA in El Salvador and Halim Brizan, Director, Regional Statistics CARICOM Secretariat emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and the need for high quality data to support comprehensive research and robust analysis that will inform policy development that respond effectively to our demographic realities.Over the course of the workshop, participants were trained in the application of the Cohort Demographic Components Model, a globally recognized method for projecting population by age and sex, taking into account fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. Sessions combined theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on exercises using both sample datasets and national data brought by participants. Core topics included the evaluation of census and vital statistics data, estimation and projection of fertility and mortality, construction of life tables, demographic reconciliation, and alternative methods for population modelling. The workshop concluded with group presentations in which participants applied their learning to real-world data scenarios.The event also provided an important platform for regional collaboration and peer exchange, allowing countries to share challenges and best practices in demographic modelling. Participants highlighted the value of continued technical support and regional cooperation in enhancing the quality and usefulness of population statistics.UNFPA, through its Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, continues to work closely with governments to implement censuses, produce vital demographic data, and promote the use of data for policy and planning. ECLAC-CELADE, with a long-standing history of providing technical training in demographic analysis throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, brought essential expertise to the design and delivery of the training.......................................................................This news release was first published by UNFPA Caribbean.