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:

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25 February 2026

UNEP seeks young people with big ideas to protect the planet

UNEP seeks young people implementing ground-breaking solutions that address climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste.Nominations open from 24 February to 31 March 2026.
Nairobi, 24 February 2026 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched a call for nominations for the 2026 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth award, which honours outstanding young people driving innovative solutions to protect the planet.The Young Champions of the Earth prize is UNEP’s flagship global youth initiative. Since 2017, it has recognized 33 young trailblazers – activists, entrepreneurs, and environmental innovators from age 18 to 30 – for their outstanding ideas to protect the environment. The programme is run in partnership with American cleantech CEO Chris Kemper, who is also UNEP’s Advocate for Partnerships and co-founder of Planet A.2026 Young Champions will receive US$10,000 seed funding from Kemper, mentorship, access to a network of experts, and opportunities to engage in high-level United Nations events. They will also be brought to New York to compete in a pitch competition for a US$100,000 grant from Planet A.UNEP encourages applications from young entrepreneurs, scientists, economists, artists, and communicators from all backgrounds who are advancing bold ideas for people, planet, and prosperity. To demonstrate feasibility and commitment, applicants must have actively pursued their ideas for a minimum of six months.“Tackling the interconnected crises of climate change, land degradation, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste is not an act of charity. It can deliver tangible economic benefits for countries, communities, and individuals,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “We are proud that through the Young Champions programme, these amazing individuals get mentorship, training, and seed funding to turn ambitious ideas into viable solutions for people and planet.”The 2025 Young Champions of the Earth awardees were: Jinali Mody of India, founder and CEO of Banofi Leather, which transforms banana crop waste into a plant-based leather alternative; Joseph Nguthiru, founder of Kenyan startup HyaPak, which produces biodegradable packaging from water hyacinth pulp; and Noemi Florea, inventor of Cycleau, a system that converts greywater into drinking water. Nguthiru then went on to win a $100,000 grant from Planet A.“We are proud to support these amazing young people who are changing the world,” said Kemper. “Joseph, Jinali, and Noemi showed us last year that individuals can do so much to safeguard our planet. I am excited to meet the 2026 Young Champions.”
NOTES TO EDITORSAbout the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.About Planet A
Planet A is a new YouTube channel, launched with the support of The Christopher Kemper Foundation. It is designed to spark action that safeguards the future of our planet. It brings together creators, experts, and partners to drive environmental awareness and action through a range of educational stories, contests and collaborations. For more information, contact Planet A press team.About UNEP’s Young Champions of the Earth Award
Young Champions of the Earth is UNEP’s flagship youth engagement initiative. The award is bestowed to ambitious young people from around the world with outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment.For more information, please contact:
News and Media Unit, UN Environment Programme

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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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A UN Volunteer works at a compute rin an office setting

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27 March 2026

Green Climate Fund approves $50 million for FAO-supported adaptation project in Jamaica

Rome/Songdo, South Korea - The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a $50 million project, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable smallholders in Jamaica.The project focuses on areas where climate risks and food security challenges are most severe due to an increased frequency of hurricanes, longer droughts and progressively erratic rainfall - hazards that are already lowering yields, increasing food loss, and threatening rural livelihoods nationwide.Titled ADAPT Jamaica: Enhancing climate change resilience of vulnerable smallholders in Central Jamaica, the project represents the first ever single country climate investment that Jamaica has received from the GCF. The GCF’s grant contribution amounts to over $40 million.ADAPT Jamaica was approved on Friday, during the forty-fourth meeting of the GCF Board in Songdo, South Korea.Co-financed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, the Development Bank of Jamaica, and FAO, the project will reach more than 700,000 beneficiaries (around half of whom are women) across six central parishes in Jamaica that are responsible for roughly 70 percent of the country's domestic food production.The initiative builds on a previous FAO-led GCF Project Preparation Facility Readiness project that funded critical feasibility studies and site-specific analyses for ADAPT Jamaica. "This decision underscores the trust that the GCF and the Government of Jamaica place in FAO’s capacity to deliver solutions to the multiple challenges the country faces,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “Protecting vulnerable farmers and investing in sustainable and resilient agrifood systems is among the smartest choices we can make for climate action that also delivers on the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life - leaving no one behind.”Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining of Jamaica, said the approval of the ADAPT Jamaica project was both timely and critical for his country."Our farmers are on the frontline of climate change, facing more intense droughts, stronger hurricanes and increasing production risks. This investment allows us to move from response to resilience by strengthening infrastructure, expanding access to climate-smart technologies and improving how farmers produce, store and bring food to market. It is a decisive step toward securing Jamaica’s food systems for the future," the minister said.As co-financiers and co-executing partners, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and the Development Bank of Jamaica - both GCF Direct Access Entities - will be instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability and country ownership of the project.Building resilience in the wake of Hurricanes Beryl and MelissaJamaica’s agricultural sector contributes roughly 7 percent of GDP and supports about 18 percent of the population. Smallholder farmers mainly cultivate root crops, pulses, vegetables and fruits, often on rain-dependent hillside plots.Yet, agriculture remains one of the country’s most climate-impacted sectors.Hurricane Beryl (Category 4), which struck in July 2024, caused agricultural losses exceeding $30 million and affected more than 48,000 farmers. In October 2025, Hurricane Melissa - the first Category 5 hurricane to make direct landfall in Jamaica - inflicted $6–7 billion in damage and destroyed more than 100,000 structures across key agricultural parishes.Meanwhile, climate projections point to growing risks. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report confirms that tropical cyclones will intensify as global temperatures rise. For Jamaica, this means more frequent and more destructive hurricanes, longer and hotter dry periods, and increasingly unpredictable rainfall.In addition, unsustainable land-use practices on slopes have contributed to soil erosion, land degradation and pressure on forest margins, increasing deforestation risks and weakening ecosystem resilience.Food production is further undermined by high post-harvest food loss, estimated at 30–40 percent for many crops. Farmers frequently lose tomatoes, onions and leafy vegetables due to poor post-harvesting and handling practices, lack of temperature-controlled storage and delays in reaching markets.These impacts are already reducing yields and deepening poverty among smallholder farmers, many of whom rely on rain‑fed production and have limited access to irrigation, finance, technology and climate information.ADAPT Jamaica seeks to address these challenges by integrating climate-resilient farming practices, improved water and post-harvest systems, strengthened climate information and early‑warning services, and better access to finance and markets.Through Farmer Field Schools - which will provide training on technologies such as solar-powered irrigation and cold storage, as well as practices including mixed production systems, improved crop varieties, and sustainable soil, water and nutrient management - the project aims to reduce food loss, stabilize farmer incomes, and strengthen resilience across agricultural value chains. In addition, enhanced market and finance linkages will help producers scale and sustain these improvements. Demonstration sites will feature hurricane‑resilient protected agriculture, showcasing reinforced greenhouses and shade houses designed to withstand Category 4–5 storms.Farmers will also learn how efficient irrigation coupled with water harvesting systems can help manage drought and heat stress while reducing operating costs. The model farms will promote agroforestry and soil conservation practices such as contour planting, mulching and integrating trees into farming systems to stabilize slopes, reduce erosion, restore soil health and protect surrounding ecosystems.Overall, ADAPT Jamaica represents a critical investment in the country’s long-term food security. It will strengthen climate-resilient farming systems, reduce food losses and help secure a stable food supply in the face of intensifying climate change.

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25 March 2026

UN resolution urges reparations for slavery’s ‘historical wrongs’

The resolution spearheaded by Ghana received 123 votes in favour. Three countries – Argentina, Israel and the United States – voted against and 52 abstained. “Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” said Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, speaking ahead of the vote on behalf of the 54-member African Group – the largest regional bloc at the UN. Stolen, shackled, shipped For more than 400 years, millions of people were stolen from Africa, put in shackles and shipped to the New World to toil in cotton fields and sugar and coffee plantations under scorching heat and the crack of the whip. Denied their basic humanity and even their own names, they were forced to endure generations of exploitation with repercussions that reverberate today including persistent anti-Black racism and discrimination. The resolution emphasised “the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity by reason of the definitive break in world history, scale, duration, systemic nature, brutality and enduring consequences that continue to structure the lives of all people through racialized regimes of labour, property and capital.” Address wrongs, support reparations It affirmed the importance of addressing historical wrongs affecting Africans and people of the diaspora in a manner that promotes justice, human rights, dignity and healing, while emphasising that claims for reparations represent a concrete step towards remedy.    The text was “highly problematic in countless respects,” Ambassador Dan Negrea, US representative to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), said prior to the vote. He regretted that Washington “must once again remind this body that the United Nations exists to maintain international peace and security” and “was not founded to advance narrow specific interests and agendas, to establish niche International Days, or to create new costly meeting and reporting mandates.” Furthermore, the US “does not recognise a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred.” A grave human rights violation The horrors of slavery echoed in the General Assembly Hall as Member States commemorated the International Day to remember its victims. “The slave trade and slavery stand among the gravest violations of human rights in human history – an affront to the very principles enshrined in the Charter of our United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, themselves born, in part, from these injustices of the past,” said Assembly President Annalena Baerbock. The countries where enslaved Africans were taken from also suffered “a hollowing out” having lost entire generations who potentially could have helped them to prosper. “It was, to put it in colder terms, mass resource extraction,” she said. Remove persistent barriers UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for confronting slavery’s lasting legacies of inequality and racism. “Now we must remove the persistent barriers that prevent so many people of African descent from exercising their rights and realising their potential,” he said. “We must commit — fully and without hesitation — to human rights, equality, and the inherent worth of every person.” In this regard, the Second International Decade for People of African Descent and the African Union’s Decade of Reparations are significant. Respect for African countries He urged countries to use them to drive action to eradicate systemic racism, ensure reparatory justice and accelerate inclusive development, marked by equal access to education, health, employment, housing, and a safe environment. “But far bolder actions — by many more States — are needed,” he added. “This includes commitments to respect African countries’ ownership of their own natural resources. And steps to ensure their equal participation and influence in the global financial architecture and the UN Security Council.” No peace without reparatory justice The Poet Laureate of Barbados, Esther Philips, read from some of her works including a piece about a young girl walking on the grounds of a former sugar plantation and not understanding its historical significance as her ancestors buried there look on. “There are spirits of the victims of slavery present in this room at this moment, and they are listening for one word only: justice" — Ms. Philips told delegates. “Because for them and for the world, there can be no peace without justice –reparatory justice – and that call is answered only when words are turned into action. The question is, what will you do?” ...............................................................................This story was first published by UN News.

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08 March 2026

International Women’s Day: Eight actions for a more equal world

Over nearly a decade leading the United Nations, I have seen our world repeatedly tested – by climate shocks, deepening poverty, violent conflict and shrinking civic space.But I have also watched many solutions take root, and they shared one common denominator: women.As the world marks International Women’s Day, it is time to recognize that gender inequality is the greatest human rights challenge of our time – and advancing equality is one of the strongest drivers of sustainable development and peace.Here are eight actions drawn from my own experience, and inspired by the work of the UN system and civil society movements across the globe, to advance women’s rights and deliver results.1. Fix the Power GapGender equality is a question of power. But male-dominated institutions still shape our world. A rising tide of authoritarianism is deepening these inequalities, rolling back hard-won protections – from fair work practices to reproductive rights – and entrenching racial and gender biases that hold women back. Gender equality lifts societies. When power is shared, freedom expands.2. Make Parity a Priority Women are grossly under-represented in governments and boardrooms across the globe. At the United Nations, we set out to make gender parity a priority, starting with senior leadership. We did this by widening the search for qualified candidates, not by lowering standards. The UN is stronger for it, with an enhanced workplace culture and more inclusive decision-making. The lesson is clear. When institutions choose equality, results follow.3. Bet on the Highest-Return Investment Investment in women delivers outsized returns. Every dollar spent on girls’ education yields nearly triple the gains, while maternal health and family planning generate more than eightfold benefits. Policies that support families such as child care and elder care strengthen communities and unlock even more growth. Taken together, such steps lay the foundation for closing gender gaps – which can boost national income by as much as 20%.4. Make Room at the Peace TablePeace agreements are more durable when women take part in negotiating and implementing them. Yet in too many conflicts – including Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan – women have been largely shut out of the room, even though they carry the heaviest burdens of war. At a time of rising instability, inclusion is not symbolic – it is a shortcut to stabilize our fractured world.5. End Legal Discrimination Worldwide, women hold only 64 per cent of the legal rights enjoyed by men. In too many places, they cannot own property, work freely, or seek a divorce. Even where protections exist, women face higher barriers to access legal aid or the courts. Every country must commit to dismantling discriminatory laws, and to enforcing rights in practice.6. Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence – and Zero ExcusesViolence against women is a global emergency, rooted in inequality and sustained by silence. Every woman and girl has the right to live free from fear. Yet gender-based violence – including sexual exploitation and abuse – remains a horrific breach of trust and humanity. We must confront it everywhere, with zero tolerance, full accountability, and unwavering support for survivors. 7. Code Out BiasWith women comprising just one in four tech workers, bias is being hardwired into the systems that shape daily lives. Meanwhile, misogyny is exploding online. Technology companies and governments must act together to build safe, inclusive digital spaces – and the world must do more to remove barriers for girls in science and technology.8. Put Gender in the Climate Plan Climate change is sexist. Women often eat last in food crises and endure greater danger in emergencies. Girls face higher risks of child marriage when livelihoods collapse. But women are also leading climate solutions – advancing green legislation, powering global movements, and driving change on the ground. A liveable planet demands gender-responsive climate policies, including equal access to green jobs, better protection in emergencies, and full participation in environmental decision-making.Across the globe, I have seen these eight solutions in action – in war zones and recovery efforts, parliaments and classrooms, organizations and communities.If leaders get serious about gender equality and commit to them now, we will change the world – for women and girls, and for us all.

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27 February 2026

Your Voice for Our Common Future: Caribbean Youth Employment Survey

Scan the QR code or Click Here to Take the Survey to share your experience entering the workforce—from finding your first job to achieving real security.Your responses will directly shape the launch episode of the #BuildBackBetterCaribbean podcast, produced by the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC Caribbean). We aren't just looking for statistics; we’re looking for the truth about your experiences today to shape meaningful dialogue about how we create the future of work tomorrow. The Caribbean is at a turning point. You've likely heard of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a shared global commitment to build a fair, safe, and sustainable future. But here's what's urgent: the deadline is 2030.That's five years for our common future—five years to turn promises into reality.Building a better economy where decent work is accessible to all is central to the fulfillment of these global goals. The #ActNow campaign by the United Nations encourages each of us to take action to achieve them. That’s why the UN has revitalized Act Now with a laser focus on the final sprint toward the world we were promised: 5 Years For... The campaign is built around four critical aspirations:It's built around four critical aspirations:A Better Economy ← Our focus for this episodeA Healthy PlanetA just SocietyA Peaceful World Why Your Story MattersAs part of our #BuildBackBetterCaribbean podcast, we're producing a special 4-part mini-season, one episode per aspiration. We're starting with A Better Economy — because for too many Caribbean young adults, job security isn't a reality. It's a goal.
Whether you're still searching for your first opportunity, navigating unfair pay, or simply trying to be seen and valued in your workplace — your experience is evidence. And evidence drives change.How to ParticipateComplete the Caribbean Youth Employment Survey and your responses will directly shape our launch episode. Your insights will fuel an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it genuinely takes to build a career in this region today.
The next five years will define the Caribbean's economic future. Don't let that story be told without you.
📲 Scan the QR code or click the link below to share your experience. Act Now — for an economy that finally works for everyone.TAKE THE SURVEY

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19 February 2026

IOM and EU enhance Caribbean disaster preparedness with critical relief supplies

Bridgetown, Barbados, 19 February 2026 – In preparation to future hurricanes and other emergencies, the European Union (EU) and the International Organization for Migration’s Coordinating Office for the Caribbean (IOM Caribbean) have announced the arrival and stockpiling of new critical relief items in Barbados. When hurricanes strike the Caribbean, they often leave vulnerable groups including the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income households facing even greater hardship and insecurity. The loss of homes, damaged roofs, and scattered belongings expose families to the elements, plunging many into uncertainty and despair without a clear path to recovery. These supplies are intended to support immediate humanitarian response for those most affected in the aftermath of crises. The stockpile of items, worth approximately EUR$340,000 includes tarpaulin sheets, shelter repair kits, family tents, hygiene kits, multipurpose tents, and mosquito nets, have been identified as priority needs for people that have been heavily affected and displaced by recent disasters in the region. These supplies will provide rapid assistance to up to 1,000 families through IOM and other partners in the event of a major emergency in the region. These items are stored at the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub, a facility operated by the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in Barbados, with logistical support from the UN’s World Food Programme. They complement existing IOM and EU stocks in Panama, ensuring that life-saving support can be deployed immediately after a major disaster. Patrice Quesada, Coordinator for IOM Caribbean, described the positive impact of prepositioned relief items for people affected by recent category 5 hurricanes. “In 2024 and 2025, for two consecutive years, our ability to quickly mobilize stocks pre-positioned in Barbados enabled rapid assistance to St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, and Jamaica following Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa”. According to Quesada “This initiative demonstrates how practical measures, informed by lessons learned and strong partnerships, can improve disaster preparedness and save lives”. Having essential relief supplies available nearby for immediate deployment significantly enhances disaster preparedness and response across the Caribbean, particularly for the Eastern Caribbean states. These smaller islands often struggle to access enough critical items quickly, due to high demand and their geographical distance from major supply markets, a challenge that was evident following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. IOM and the rest of the UN in the Caribbean have recognized the value of this proactive approach as has the European Union Humanitarian Aid agency, resulting in a partnership where IOM Caribbean is responsible for managing relief stocks provided by the EU. These supplies will provide rapid assistance to up to 1,000 families through IOM and other partners in the event of a major emergency in the region. “Preparedness isn’t seasonal, and the Caribbean’s vulnerability demands constant readiness. This stockpile allows the EU to boost regional response capacity and deliver timely assistance where it’s needed most, as we have just witnessed with Hurricane Melissa where anticipation and timing of response were key,” said Daniela d’Urso, head of EU Humanitarian relief in the Caribbean. In parallel, through the “Resilient Caribbean” project, the EU is supporting the development and training of a network of regional partners to ensure they are prepared to receive, store, distribute, and account for relief items following disasters. To support this effort, CDEMA and IOM have established the Caribbean Shelter Sectoral Working Group, which promotes information sharing, resource pooling, and collaboration among agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups. This initiative underscores the importance of localization and highlights the ongoing commitment of IOM and the EU to strengthen the resilience of at-risk communities across the Caribbean by ensuring swift and effective humanitarian assistance. For more information, please contact: Maxine Alleyne, Communications Officer, IOM Caribbean
malleyne@iom.int Hilaire Avril, EU Aid Regional Information Officer - Latin America & Caribbean
hilaire.avril@echofield.eu

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Press Release

20 February 2026

Caribbean media critical to advancing SDG progress Says UN

In keeping with this shared commitment, the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean is pleased to support the continued advancement of the Global Goals through sponsorship of a new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champion Award in this year’s Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s (CBU) Media Awards.The award will recognize outstanding media contributions in print, radio, television, and digital media, that spotlight the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a blueprint for peace and prosperity for all. Eligible entries will be from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,The UN will sponsor four award categories recognizing submissions that inspire action on the SDGs and align with national priorities. Entries in radio, print, television or digital formats should seek to connect the Global Goals to real people’s lives, communicate complex issues—such as climate change or inequality—in clear, accessible language, and foster an environment where the SDGs are actively championed. Where possible, content should be data-driven and solution-oriented.UN Resident Coordinator Simon Springett said the UN Team is pleased to partner with the CBU and the media on this initiative. “The media continues to be a valuable partner to us. We see this initiative as a continuation of our solid partnership, which we hope to strengthen by celebrating journalistic excellence that educates communities, drives sustainable development and inspires meaningful action. Our goal is to support Caribbean countries in advancing progress on the global goals.” CBU President Anthony Greene highlighted the Union's close collaboration with UN agencies in the region. He noted: "partnering with the UN Sub-regional Team for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in the critical area of the SDG's aligns well with the CBU's mandate and identity as a contributor to regional development from a media and communications perspective." Entries for the 37th Annual CBU Media Awards opened in late November 2025 and will close at midnight (ECT) on February 28, 2026. Nominees will be announced in May 2026, with the awards presentation scheduled for August 2026. For further information, potential entrants are invited to view the recent Media Webinar via this link, and for competition rules and entry details they can visit the CBU website at http://www.caribroadcastunion.org / or email cbumediaawards@caribroadcastunion.org ---ENDS--- Media Contacts:Carol A. GaskinCommunications and Advocacy Officer United Nations Resident Coordinator’s OfficeEmail: carol-ann.gaskin@unorg: Tel. : +1 (246)467-6110; Mobile: + 1(246)832-6110

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Press Release

24 November 2025

UNDP mobilizes initial USD 2 million in Resilient Recovery grants for Jamaica

The new grants have emerged on the heels of a recent surge mission to Jamaica by UNDP’s global and regional crisis response and recovery teams, working with UNDP’s Multi-Country Office in Jamaica to identify national and local needs through consultations with government, civil society, private sector, multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, and local communities in critically affected areas. This process benefited from the lead role of Mr. Ronald Jackson, UNDP Global Head of Disaster Risk Reduction, Recovery and Resilience.UNDP’s offer is designed to help stabilize affected communities, restore livelihoods of vulnerable groups and support national authorities and key sectors in Jamaica’s ‘Building Forward Better’ vision, integrating resilience at every step.At the national level, UNDP is offering support to Jamaica’s long term recovery planning and governance along with some key data to support it – post hurricane national impact assessments, focusing on a root cause analysis and human impacts“Crises can be opportunities to build forward better,” said Kishan Khoday, UNDP Resident Representative in Jamaica. "To this end, we offer to enhance institutional capacities and systems for recovery, and to integrate climate-resilient, risk-informed and nature-based solutions into recovery planning. Future plans can also embrace the role of geospatial and digital tools and aim to make development assets future proof in an era of more frequent and severe climate disasters.”UNDP’s offer targeting community stabilization includes clean up and management of debris – estimated at 4.8 million metric tonnes across impacted areas – as well as recycling opportunities through cash for work modalities ensuring income for jobless residents and easier access to affected communities by national relief teams, he explained.It also prioritizes support for the recovery of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and community livelihoods. UNDP will provide grants and hands on technical support to MSMEs to restore their facilities, connect to markets and access sustainable finance solutions such as loan guarantees, low-interest credit and other instruments.UNDP will also support solar power, resilient re-roofing and other critical community infrastructure needs. Additionally, based on previous experience in the aftermath of category five hurricanes in 2017 in Dominica and 2021 in The Bahamas, mobile and community-based Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) will provide on-the-spot advice to affected communities, combined with resilience grants to help communities integrate resilient methods into their build back process, ensuring better odds to weather future storms.“These storms are no longer ‘once in a lifetime’. They are becoming the new baseline. Even countries that plan well are being tested by hurricanes more powerful, unpredictable and punishing than what our systems are perhaps built for, said Ronald Jackson.This initial UNDP Resilient Recovery grant assistance of USD 2 million for Jamaica builds on UNDPs immediate crisis response allocations, and generous contributions from the CARICOM Development Fund and the European Union.Grant assistance of an additional USD 8 million is also being considered, through the realignment of resources from UNDP’s ongoing development programmes in Jamaica. These funds will support nature-based and climate-resilient recovery in the tourism sector, capacity development for ecosystem restoration and integrated land management in western regions of Jamaica and support civil society organizations for building long-term resilience of communities and ecosystems.Dr Khoday said, "Hurricane Melissa was the strongest climate induced disaster to hit Jamaica in modern history, and supporting a resilience-based approach to recovery for affected communities is not just smart. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) it is also a matter of justice, as countries face mounting loss and damage from the global climate emergency. Building on our 50-year presence in Jamaica and as part of a coordinated UN system-wide effort, UNDP stands in solidarity with the government and people of Jamaica, to deliver our part in achieving Jamaica’s vision for a resilient recovery from Hurricane Melissa,” he indicated.Jamaica was struck by category five Hurricane Melissa on 28 October, sustaining loss of life and livelihoods, and catastrophic damage to buildings, infrastructure, forests, agricultural fields, coastal ecosystems and socio-economic assets across the western regions of the island.
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Media contacts For more information or to request an interview, contact:
In Kingston: gillian.scott@undp.org
Panama: vanessa.hidalgo@undp.org
In Geneva: sarah.bel@undp.org
In New York: dylan.lowthian@undp.org and aimee.brown@undp.org
About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our extensive network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet.

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Press Release

28 October 2025

UN and CBU Launch SDG Champion Media Award

This new category, introduced through a partnership between the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Office and the CBU, aims to celebrate journalistic excellence that drives sustainable development and inspires meaningful action. Eligible countries include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.Speaking during a recent media webinar, CBU President Anthony Greene emphasized the media’s pivotal role in advancing the SDGs, both professionally and personally. “We help those who can influence the achievement of the SDGs to understand why they should lend their resources and efforts to this cause,” Greene noted. “But as media, we are not just instruments to be used by others. We also need to appreciate that the SDGs are for us as well as residents of developing countries and territories, and as the media and communications sector.” Kenroy Roach, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, expressed hope that the award would deepen collaboration between the UN and regional media: “We know we work well together on many fronts, but hopefully this can be another pillar in our very strong collaboration.” Roach also reminded participants that the SDGs, adopted by 192 Member States in 2015, represent a global commitment:“It is important that we recognize that the SDGs are not only a UN agenda, but also the countries’ agenda. It is the leaders of the world who came together and recognized the need for urgent action for people and planet.”
The recent webinar also provided valuable technical insights into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their significance for the region, and effective approaches to SDG storytelling.Jabari Fraser, Public Information Officer at ECLAC Caribbean, in his session “Why the SDGs Matter,” encouraged journalists to guide their editors in distinguishing between what is important and what is urgent. He emphasized the value of considering the broader context and conducting thorough research to produce stories with lasting impact.Meanwhile, Martina Donlon, Chief of Climate and Sustainable Development at the UN Department of Global Communications, presented on “What’s a Great Story about the SDGs?” She highlighted the importance of focusing on science and solutions, and inspiring action by addressing the three W’s: What, Why Care, and What Now?Sonia Gill, CBU Secretary General, offered journalists an overview of the new SDG Champion Award categories, criteria, and rules. She noted that eligible entries should connect the Global Goals to real people’s lives, communicate complex issues—such as climate change or inequality—in clear, accessible language, and foster an environment where the SDGs are actively championed. She further emphasized that content should be data-driven, solution-oriented, and, where possible, inspire action. Entries for the 37th Annual CBU Media Awards will open in late November 2025 and close at midnight (ECT) on February 28, 2026. Nominees will be announced in June 2026, with the awards presentation scheduled for August 2026. For further information, journalists are invited to view the recent Media Webinar via this link, and for competition rules and entry details they can visit the CBU website at http://www.caribroadcastunion.org / or email cbumediaawards@caribroadcastunion.org when the Call for Entries is issued next month. To Learn MoreFor further information please contact:CBU via email : info@caribroadcastunion.orgUNRCO via email : carol-ann.gaskin@un.org

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Press Release

27 October 2025

United Nations stands in solidarity with Jamaica amidst the impacts of Hurricane Melissa

The hurricane has brought with it devastating winds, life-threatening storm surges, and torrential rainfall, posing a significant threat to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the island.In anticipation of the storm’s impact, the United Nations system in Jamaica, under the leadership of Resident Coordinator Mr. Dennis Zulu, is working in close coordination with the Government of Jamaica and national emergency response agencies to bolster preparedness and response efforts.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is actively supporting regional coordination efforts and has deployed staff to Jamaica to strengthen emergency preparedness and facilitate effective response operations.Key UN agencies are mobilizing critical support as follows:World Food Programme (WFP) is providing essential logistics support, including the deployment of generators to ensure continuity of critical services.United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pre-positioned water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies, along with materials to support child protection and psychosocial care.Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is reinforcing national health emergency operations and ensuring readiness of medical facilities.International Organization for Migration (IOM) is preparing shelter support for displaced populations and vulnerable communities.United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are mobilizing resources for early recovery, food security, and protection of women, girls, and other at-risk groups.The UN remains committed to supporting the Government of Jamaica in addressing immediate humanitarian needs, including emergency shelter, access to clean water, hygiene supplies, and logistical support to reach affected and isolated communities.The United Nations reiterates its unwavering commitment to the people of Jamaica during this challenging time and will continue to work hand-in-hand with national authorities and partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response.For media inquiries, please contact:
Maxsalia Salmon
Partnership and Development Finance Officer
Email address: maxsalia.salmon@un.orgCUG: 876-509-007

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Press Release

13 October 2025

IOM Chief highlights record disaster displacement and calls for resilience funding

Geneva, 13 October 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is urging greater investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building efforts, warning that intensifying disasters and climate impacts are driving record levels of displacement and demand a decisive shift in global financing priorities. This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) takes place under the theme Fund Resilience, Not Disasters, a call to redirect resources from costly response to proactive prevention and preparedness. “We must reaffirm a simple but urgent message: fund resilience,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Every dollar invested in resilience saves many more in avoided losses and protects the dignity of those most at risk. The choice is ours. We can continue to fund disaster response or we can invest in resilience. This is the message IOM will take forward as we work with partners to ensure climate and disaster financing reflects the needs of people on the move.”In 2024 alone, nearly 46 million people were displaced by disasters, the highest number ever recorded. Despite this, disaster risk reduction efforts remain severely underfunded. Most governments allocate less than 1 per cent of their budgets to prevention, while international assistance continues to decline.
IOM is urging governments, donors, and the private sector to scale up investments that reduce the risk and impact of disaster on displacement and strengthen resilience for vulnerable communities. This means integrating human mobility into risk-informed development and climate finance, ensuring that communities can adapt, relocate safely, or rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes.Looking ahead to the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), IOM will advocate for disaster and climate risk reduction to be at the heart of climate finance negotiations, in line with the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group and the outcomes of the Financing for Development Conference. Through innovative tools such as the Risk Index for Climate Displacement and the Climate Catalytic Fund, IOM aims to demonstrate how predictive analytics and community-driven finance can target hotspots, prevent displacement, and protect development gains.
For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.

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