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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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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10 July 2025

Caribbean leads the world in reducing AIDS-related deaths globally, but progress on reducing new infections slow

Kingston, July 10, 2025—Data from the latest Global AIDS Update Report, released by UNAIDS, shows the Caribbean recorded a 62% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, between 2010 and 2024, the steepest decline among eight regions globally. According to the report—AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform, over the last fifteen years, there has been a 54% decline in AIDS-related deaths globally. The Caribbean is well above the global average at 62%. The report credits the widespread availability of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for the progress made since 2010. Reductions have also been recorded in West & Central Africa (60%), Eastern & Southern Africa (59%), Asia & the Pacific (53%), Western & Central Europe and North America (48%), Latin America (31%) and the Middle East & North Africa (6%) while Eastern Europe & Central Asia reported a 48% increase over the same period.UNAIDS commended governments, communities of people living with and most affected by HIV, and key partners, including PEPFAR and The Global Fund, among others for the progress made across the region. “The Caribbean’s stellar performance and achievements are commendable. It shows the resilience of a region constrained by a myriad of social, economic and other challenges such as high debt, declining external funding, and natural disasters and how critical political leadership is to safeguard people’s health without distinction,” Dr Richard Amenyah, the Director of UNAIDS Multi-Country Office in the Caribbean said. “Despite the ongoing challenges, the Caribbean continues to show that great things can be achieved when governments and all stakeholders, including people living with HIV and key populations, work together to protect and promote good health and well-being,” Amenyah said. In 2010, only 53,000 people living with HIV were on treatment in the Caribbean. 13,000 adults and children lost their lives due to AIDS-related conditions that year. However, by 2024, this number climbed to 250,000 people on treatment—with 50,000 of them added between 2020 and 2024. Today, 85% of people living with HIV in the Caribbean know their status, 74% are on treatment, and 66% are virally suppressed (up from 33% in 2017). Last year, deaths declined to 4,800 deaths (down from 6,100 people in 2020).While the organisation applauds stakeholders for the progress in reducing AIDS-related deaths, UNAIDS said it is concerned about the rate of decline in new infections across the region. Noting that the progress is insufficient to reach the targets to end AIDS, UNAIDS urged political leaders, healthcare workers and other stakeholders to do more to prevent new HIV infections.Globally, new HIV infections have been reduced by 40% since 2010 but only 21% of new infections have been reduced in the Caribbean. In 2024, there were 15,000 new infections with Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica accounting for 90% (Haiti contributed 38%) and young people (15–24 years) account for 25% of new infections overall. UNAIDS’ new report emphasizes integrating HIV into broader health systems, strengthening partnerships with CSOs and communities, and addressing social determinants like stigma and discrimination to prevent new HIV infections, especially among young people and key populations and prevent treatment interruptions. Caribbean governments are also being encouraged to take greater ownership to navigate geopolitical funding shifts, ensuring financial and programmatic sustainability to achieve the 2030 goal of ending AIDS. Noting that domestic funding for the HIV response moved from 30% in 2023 to 38% in 2024, UNAIDS said more needs to be done to achieve the internationally agreed targets to end AIDS as a public health threat. “Governments must continue to prioritize increasing domestic resources, integrate HIV into broader health systems, innovate to keep people living with HIV on treatment toward achieving viral suppression and ensure equitable access for young people and key populations to prevent new infections. Only through sustained partnership and greater country ownership can we end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 in the region,” Amenyah said.Get more information on the region by accessing the Global AIDS Update 2025: Regional profile for the Caribbean ****** ContactUNAIDS Caribbean | Jaevion Nelson | tel. +1 876 459 3211 | nelsonj@unaids.org UNAIDSThe Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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04 July 2025

One year after Beryl: Stories of recovery, resilience, and rebuilding lives

"After the hurricane, when I saw the island, it was like a strange place to me. It looked strange because everything had just disappeared." - Jady Forde, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesWhen Hurricane Beryl tore through the Caribbean in July 2024, it left behind a trail of destruction that changed lives overnight. Homes were flattened, roads washed away, and communities disconnected from the rest of the world. But perhaps even more devastating than the physical destruction was the emotional weight that settled in its wake especially for families who lost not only their shelter but their sense of safety. For Jady Forde, a mother in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the hurricane turned her familiar neighbourhood into something unrecognizable. “It looked like a strange place,” she recalls. Yet amid the destruction, there was a spark of hope: a food kit from the World Food Programme (WFP). Inside were basic items macaroni, canned fish, rice. Enough to cook her family’s first meal since the storm.“The kitchen had flooded, and our feet were sore and wrinkled from standing in the water,” she said, describing how she waded through to prepare dinner. “But we were happy. We were eating together again.”
Within days of the storm, WFP had mobilized 5,000 food kits for the hardest-hit families, with support from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and national authorities. Temporary storage units were set up on Union Island, Saint Vincent, and Carriacou, Grenada to safely store and distribute food and other relief items. These mobile logistics hubs provided a lifeline during the most critical moments.But recovery was never just about supplies, it was also about healing.
In Carriacou, Grenada, the trauma ran deep, particularly for women and girls. The Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs, with support from UN Women through the Global Affairs Canada-funded Build Back Equal Project, launched the Safe Space Initiative to respond to the emotional aftermath. Designed for women and girls between the ages of 7 and 17, and 18 and older, the programme offered something invaluable: a safe place to talk, to cry, to create, and to begin to heal. “We needed a space for our girls and women to process what they were going through” explained Nadina Williams, Programme Manager at the Ministry. “By providing a supportive and secure environment, we aimed to empower them to help them feel seen again.”Over three months, the Safe Space Initiative hosted support circles, trauma recovery workshops, and information sessions on sexual and reproductive health, housing services, and Gender-based Violence (GBV) support. These sessions did not just meet immediate needs; they opened doors to longer-term empowerment.The experience also underscored a critical lesson: response efforts must include systems that protect women and girls, even during the chaos of a disaster. That’s why, with support from UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund, Grenada has since accelerated the development of a shock-responsive GBV referral pathway. The goal is clear: no woman or girl should be left without protection or support when the next tropical storm or hurricane comes. UN Women through the BBE Project also supported Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to establish its first national inter-agency GBV task force to drive coordination of essential service providers and key stakeholders.A year later, the debris has mostly cleared, but the journey to recovery continues. Across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and other affected islands, families like Jady’s are slowly rebuilding their lives brick by brick, meal by meal and, conversation by conversation.Their stories are reminders that in every hurricane or extreme weather event to hit the Caribbean, there are quiet acts of resilience. That behind every food kit, every support circle, every logistics hub, are people: mothers, daughters, neighbours finding strength in the middle of heavy loss.As we hit one year post Beryl and the 2025 hurricane season begins, the region stands better prepared, but the real preparedness lies in the spirit of our people.Throughout the response, the UN Resident Coordinator served as the lead representative of the United Nations, advocating for international support, mobilizing emergency funding, and ensuring that recovery efforts remained people-centred and inclusive. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs role in supporting humanitarian coordination and preparedness in the Caribbean in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency has been critical linking regional and international systems to meet local needs, particularly in multi-island context like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada...............................................................................................................This story was first published by UN Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

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Area on Union Island after the passing of Hurricane Beryl.

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02 July 2025

Women at the heart of Caribbean tourism: UNFPA facilitates partnership to address gender-based violence (GBV) in workplaces

In a vital step toward safer and more inclusive workplaces, UNFPA in Barbados played a key role in bringing together regional leaders, industry stakeholders, and advocates to address gender-based violence within the Caribbean tourism sector. This important dialogue took place during the hybrid regional forum, “The Multiplier Effect: Women Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism,” co-hosted by UNFPA and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) at the O2 Beach Club and Spa in Barbados.The forum underscored the collective commitment needed to eliminate gender-based violence in the workplace and foster work environments where all women can thrive. The event also provided a platform to discuss and highlight key findings from two important data products developed by UNFPA this year - The Pulse on Progress Survey and the U.S Women’s Market Sentiment Survey. Results from both surveys will be available later this month on UNFPA’s website.The Pulse on Progress Survey, commissioned by UNFPA to understand the needs and priorities of women working in the hotel and tourism sector in the Caribbean, had compelling insights on workplace culture. 21% of respondents reported that GBV or harassment had occurred between employees and gone unreported; only 50% reported that their workplace has actively implemented policies in place to address GBV and/or harassment. The findings indicate a clear need to build workplace environments where women not only feel physically safe, but where potential risks are mitigated and robust and confidential report systems are in place.The U.S. Women’s Market Sentiment Survey, commissioned by UNFPA and conducted by Trove Tourism Development Advisors, gathered important data on what influences U.S. women’s travel decision-making, particularly in choosing Caribbean destinations. The survey found that 66% are willing to pay more for accommodations with certified ethical and socially responsible practices. Furthermore, 79% say it’s very or extremely important for hotels to have visible systems to report harassment or violence. Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, opened the event by highlighting that tourism supports over 2.75 million jobs—15% of total employment in the Caribbean. “Women account for 70% of that workforce,” he noted, adding that Barbados is actively “embedding gender equality” into its tourism strategy through partnerships and new workplace policies to eliminate gender-based violence. UNFPA Deputy Director and Officer-in-Charge, Jenny Karlsen, underscored the urgent need for timely and effective interventions to address gender-based violence in the Caribbean, noting that one in three women in the region have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Ms. Karlsen reinforced UNFPA’s role in convening key stakeholders across the public and private sectors to drive strategic, transformative partnerships that benefit all women and girls in the Caribbean. She also expressed appreciation to O2 Beach Club and Spa, hosts of the forum, for their commitment to spotlighting the importance of tackling gender-based violence in the workplace.CHTA CEO Vanessa Ledesma echoed the need for actionable data and committed to “advancing practical, meaningful steps that create stronger and more inclusive workplaces.” She called for shared responsibility: “That future doesn’t take shape on its own—it requires intention, investment, and shared ownership.”Meanwhile, Ocean Hotels Group CEO, Patricia Affonso-Dass, underscored the “transformative power of empowering women,” calling for stronger leadership, mentorship, and workplace cultures that reflect respect and equity. “Zero tolerance policies must not only exist in principle, but in practice,” she stressed.Following the opening, a panel discussion brought together experts from the tourism and development sectors to examine how the industry can strengthen responses to gender-based violence in the workplace. Panelists discussed the importance of clear policies, confidential reporting mechanisms, and consistent enforcement to ensure that all employees can work in safe and respectful environments. The session also underscored the role of leadership in setting the tone for zero tolerance and the value of coordinated action among partners to drive systemic change across the sector.De-Jane Gibbons, UNFPA Liaison Officer for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, in her remarks to wrap up the event, called for renewed commitment to ending gender-based violence in the workplace. “Let us spark change. Let us hold each other accountable,” she urged. She emphasized that real progress will only come when action matches intention—through strong leadership, clear policies, and a collective will to create safer, more equitable spaces for all.The Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean will be publishing the results of the data products introduced at the forum on their website in July, along with other key resources and training modules for businesses, government and private sector stakeholders to drive evidence-based, strategic action for safer, more inclusive workplaces for women.

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30 June 2025

Hurricane Beryl one year on: A wake-up call for disaster preparedness in the Caribbean

Roofs torn off, boats and cars overturned, power lines downed – Hurricane Beryl swept through the Caribbean in early July 2024, leaving destruction in its wake. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, up to 98 per cent of the infrastructure was damaged by the category-5 storm, the earliest ever recorded in the region.Winds of up to 240 km/h left 60,000 people in urgent need of assistance. “The early arrival of Beryl was exceptional,” says Andrew Jackson, Head of Supply Chain for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Barbados. “We track systems forming in the mid-Atlantic, and as they get closer, forecasts become more precise. In Beryl’s case, the hurricane underwent rapid intensification, resulting in a multi-island hit.” WFP had people and supplies in motion before the impact; emergency teams were forward-deployed to Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica, which experienced widespread power outages. WFP maintains “standby contracts” with sea vessel operators and has long-established relationships with port authorities, says Jackson. “That means when a disaster hits, we’re not starting from scratch – we’re already on the start line.”Barbados, typically outside the hurricane belt, avoided the worst of Beryl – but its fishing communities were hit hard as the storm battered its shores. Jackson, for his part, embedded with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) at its emergency operations centre “on day one”. “We coordinated closely to assess needs, avoid duplication, and ensure the response was as efficient as possible,” he says. “In the hours after landfall, we were in constant contact with governments. Thanks to pre-positioned stocks, we could respond quickly.”Within days, WFP food kits reached the affected communities, each containing ten days’ worth of staples, including tuna, peas, beans, rice, oil, and corned beef. Pre-positioning has proved key. “It cut lead times by up to ten days,” Jackson notes. “Shipping into the Caribbean from Europe, Latin America, or the US can take time, especially with infrequent shipping routes and limited port capacity.” It’s also costly. “Logistics can account for up to half the total cost of landed goods,” he explains. “So if we can avoid expensive air freight by pre-positioning during quieter times, we achieve major savings.”Over the past year, Barbados has emerged as a key hub for delivering aid quickly. Ahead of Beryl, WFP and its partners had already pre-positioned supplies from UN agencies and NGOs on the island, allowing food and other relief items to be shipped to hard-hit islands within days.To bolster that life-saving capability, in May WFP joined forces with the Government of Barbados and CDEMA to launch the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub. The aim is for critical supplies to reach communities within 72 hours of a disaster. Requests from governments and local authorities trigger WFP support. In the context of the Caribbean, “that might mean setting up a sea bridge, deploying trucks or forklifts, or helping manage a warehouse”. Through close collaboration, “the idea is to fill gaps, not duplicate efforts.” As the key liaison, the CDEMA enables swift action during emergencies. WFP supports governments in shifting essentials, such as tents, hygiene kits and medical supplies. “We work through governments and local agencies,” says Jackson to make sure responders have what they need to reach people fast. The private sector plays a role too. Thanks to an agreement with a major supermarket in Barbados, for instance, WFP could tap into 5,000 ready-packed food kits – enough to feed 15,000 people for nearly two weeks. And it wasn’t just formal systems that sprang into action. “The Caribbean has a big sailing community,” Jackson says. “After Beryl, yacht owners – known as ‘yachties’ – formed a flotilla and ferried supplies between islands.” Launched in 2018, WFP’s Barbados office supports 22 countries and territories across the Caribbean. When disaster strikes, the team mobilises people, equipment and supplies – always in coordination with national governments and local responders. As storms grow stronger, WFP is investing in early warning systems, preparedness, and long-term recovery. Hurricane Beryl served as a wake-up call for humanitarian agencies to enable communities to recover more quickly, building resilience before the next storm hits. It also brought home the importance of being prepared. “We’ll never stop these storms,” Jackson says. “But we can make sure that when they come, we’re not scrambling – we’re already moving.”
WFP Caribbean’s work on emergency preparedness including the construction of the logistics hub is made possible through support from the Government of Canada, The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, the US Government and World Food Program USA.........................................................................................This story was first published by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

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25 June 2025

PAHO collaborates with stakeholders to develop new Caribbean Action Plan on health and climate change

Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 June 2025 (PAHO/WHO) – From 17-19 June, representatives from the Ministries of Health and Environment, CARICOM and its agencies and other key stakeholders met in Barbados to discuss the proposed new Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change. During the meeting convened by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), regional and global experts assessed the progress of climate change and health in the Caribbean, shared experiences, strengthened networks and developed strategies to further enhance climate resilient health systems.During the meeting, stakeholders reviewed the first Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change (2019-2024), provided valuable insights to the development of the new plan, discussed youth empowerment, the gaps, challenges and opportunities for research, implementation and financing of climate and health actions, among other topics. It is hoped that the new Caribbean Action Plan on Climate Change and Health will be presented to the regional community at COP30 on Health Day, 13 November 2025, as part of the Caribbean’s contribution to the global climate and health dialogue.Mr. Wayne Marshall, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Barbados commended the PAHO/WHO for its support to Barbados and the wider region and described the meeting as key to amplifying our voices so that health has a stronger presence in climate discussions, both locally and on the global stage. “The threats to public health posed by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, vector-borne diseases, food and water insecurity, and the disruption of health services are not isolated incidents. They are shared regional realities that demand shared solutions,” he said.PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr Amalia Del Riego, pointed out that the first plan stands as a milestone in sub-regional cooperation. “As we meet today, we build on that strong foundation. This gathering is both a reflection of past progress and a call to action for what lies ahead. We must ensure that health is no longer peripheral, but central to climate adaptation, financing and resilience building efforts across the region,” she asserted.Interim Director of the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Program Coordination Office, Dr Juan Manuel Sotelo, underlined that over the past five years the Caribbean had laid a strong foundation through key regional initiatives, backed by the European Union (EU) and the Green Climate Fund. These include the development of Health National Adaptation Plans, Early Warning Systems for Dengue, the rolling out of health co-benefit tools and improved national capacities for climate-informed surveillance. Seven CARICOM countries are also working to strengthen intersectoral coordination through the establishment of national climate and health committees, conduct needs assessments and carbon footprint assessments in healthcare facilities in Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Saint Lucia.Despite the difficult geopolitical times, Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organization, highlighted that the reality remains unchanged. “Being among the most vulnerable gives you the possibility of being among those who have more experience, more impetus to do something, because you realize how important it is. And that is why we need you in this part of the world as a champion on understanding how to respond to the challenges of climate change to protect our health, how to argue for more action on adaptation to climate change,” Dr Neira explained.Mr. Luca Trinchieri, Team Leader, Green Deal, EU Delegation to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, European Commission, described efforts in the Caribbean as well aligned with the EU Global Gateway Agenda. “It is essentially about unlocking long-term, inclusive development, and putting people’s well-being, including health at the heart of our partnership. But, as you know too well, the path to resilience is not a single project, it is not a 5-year Plan, it is a long-term transformation, one that requires sustained leadership, inclusive governance, community ownership and predictable financing,” he remarked.While noting that the Caribbean stood at a crossroads, Ms Alison Drayton, Assistant Director General, CARICOM, underlined that collective leadership and strategic collaboration were critical to forging strengthened systems, innovative solutions and sustainable pathways to safeguard health outcomes in a rapidly changing global environment. .............................................................................................................This story was first published by PAHO.

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Press Release

11 July 2025

Spreading gang violence poses major risk to Haiti and Caribbean sub-region, UN human rights report warns

The report, by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN Human Rights Office, details the evolution of violent gang incidents since October 2024 up to June 2025. It also shows how violence increased sharply in recent months, especially in the Lower Artibonite and Centre departments, as gangs continue to extend their influence along key routes in the north and centre of the country, and towards the Dominican Republic.“Human rights abuses outside Port-au-Prince are intensifying in areas of the country where the presence of the State is extremely limited. The international community must strengthen its support to the authorities, who bear the primary responsibility for protecting the Haitian population,” said Ulrika Richardson, ad interim Head of BINUH and UN Resident Coordinator.Between 1 October 2024 and 30 June 2025, at least 1,018 people were killed, 213 others injured and 620 abducted in Artibonite and Centre, as well as in Ganthier and Fonds Parisien, west of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, the report says.Over the same period, the total number of killings across Haiti was 4,864.*The report notes that the mass killing in Pont Sondé (Lower Artibonite) in October 2024, which left over 100 people dead, marked a major turning point in the cycle of violence between gangs and the so-called ‘self-defence’ groups. Several other mass killings followed, causing mass displacement, including in the town of Mirebalais (Centre department) which earlier this year saw all its 100,000 residents flee.The Haitian authorities have deployed specialised police units, supported by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, to some extent slowing the gangs’ advances. Ultimately, however, given their lack of resources, they have been unable to reassert control over the affected areas.Against this backdrop, human rights abuses by self-defence groups have increased. Summary executions involving Haitian security forces have also been committed against individuals accused of supporting gangs, the report says.“Caught in the middle of this unending horror story are the Haitian people, who are at the mercy of horrific violence by gangs and exposed to human rights violations from the security forces and abuses by the so-called ‘self-defence’ groups,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.“The human rights violations and abuses that we have documented are further evidence of why Haiti and the international community urgently need to step up to end the violence,” he added.The expansion of gang territorial control poses a major risk of spreading violence and increasing transnational trafficking in arms and people, the report says.Among its recommendations, it calls on the Haitian authorities to ensure police have the necessary resources to tackle the gangs, in full respect of international human rights law. It calls for specialised judicial units to combat corruption and mass crimes, including sexual violence, to be established as soon as possible.The report also calls on the international community to maintain BINUH’s full operational capacity so that the office can continue to advise and support the Haitian government in its efforts to strengthen good governance and ensure the respect for, and promotion of, human rights. The strengthening of MSS mission and the full implementation of the arms embargo will be equally essential to restore security and the rule of law in Haiti.To read the full report, click here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/intensification-criminal-violence-lower-artibonite-centre-department-and*** ENDS ****Between 1 January 2025 and 30 June at least 3,141 people were killed.For more information and media requests, please contact:Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.orgLiz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org

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Press Release

23 June 2025

ECLAC welcomes new Director for Caribbean office

Rivas Peña took up the appointment at ECLAC Caribbean’s office at the beginning of June. A national of the Dominican Republic, she brings more than 20 years of leadership and policy experience in public administration, gender equality, sustainable development, and economic policy.Prior to joining ECLAC, Rivas Peña served as Director-General of the National Statistics Office (ONE) of the Dominican Republic from 2020. She was also elected Chair of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of ECLAC for the 2023–2025 period. Her career spans leadership roles including Executive Director of the Regional Centre for the Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CENPROMYPE), National Programme Officer at UN Women, and Technical Secretary for Women in the Council of Ministers for Women’s Affairs of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMMCA).Executive Secretary Salazar-Xirinachs expressed his full confidence that Director Rivas Peña will provide the Caribbean office with quality leadership and lead ECLAC’s subregional efforts towards sustainable development and quality economic and social research. __________________________________________________________________________ ECLAC is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations and promotes sustainable economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean seeks to deepen the understanding of the development challenges facing the Caribbean, and to contribute to solutions by conducting research and analysis and providing sound policy advice and technical assistance to Caribbean governments, focused on growth with equity and recognition of the subregion’s vulnerability.

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Press Release

12 May 2025

Small islands, big challenges: SIDS rally for stronger chemicals and waste management

Geneva, 12 May 2025 – Over 50 representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are gathering at the Palais des Nations in Geneva for the first in-person ISLANDS Forum to strengthen sound management of chemicals and waste in these uniquely vulnerable nations.In the wake of the 2025 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2025 BRS COPs), the two-day forum opens dedicated space for SIDS-to-SIDS exchange. It will showcase emerging solutions and demonstrated strategies for targeted action on chemicals and waste.“Small island states are on the frontline of pollution and waste challenges — and they are also leading the charge in innovation,” said Anil Sookdeo, Chemicals and Waste Focal Area Coordinator at the Global Environment Facility (GEF). “Through ISLANDS, we are fostering SIDS-to-SIDS cooperation, building lasting capacity, scaling solutions, and ensuring that the knowledge created today drives sustainable progress for years to come.”The ISLANDS Forum will focus on priority areas crucial to SIDS: stronger policies, technical solutions, public-private partnerships and sustainable financing. Experts will share best practices for managing e-waste and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), controlling hazardous waste flows, and attracting private investment for long-term waste management solutions. Building A Global ISLANDS Community of PracticeThe ISLANDS Forum marks the midpoint of the Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS) Programme, a major global initiative to support SIDS across the Atlantic, Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific Oceans to better manage hazardous chemicals and waste and deliver on their commitments under the BRS Conventions.ISLANDS is fostering new pathways for cooperation and knowledge exchange within the SIDS chemical and waste community of practice. Partnerships forged during this event will enhance SIDS' ability to face their unique environmental challenges while supporting the creation of sustainable, long-term solutions that will benefit the global community. This collaborative approach drives scalable, sustainable outcomes, ensuring long-term impact in SIDS communities. Making blueprints for sustainable chemicals and waste management in SIDSA dynamic range of case studies will showcase how SIDS are implementing practical, scalable solutions to manage hazardous chemicals and waste. These stories highlight national innovation and regional collaboration, offering valuable lessons for replication in other island contexts and beyond.Among the highlights is Mauritius’ Interim Hazardous Waste Storage Facility, established with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which enables the safe storage, packaging, labeling and export of hazardous materials to certified facilities abroad—an approach that proved critical during the 2020 Wakashio oil spill.In the Pacific, the Moana Taka Partnership—developed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in collaboration with Swire Shipping—leverages empty cargo return routes to transport eligible waste streams free-of-charge from island countries, easing logistical and environmental pressures.From the Caribbean, BCRC-Caribbean will present lessons learned from executing multiple projects under a harmonised approach with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), IDB and UNEP, emphasising policy coordination and regional synergies.The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will showcase its Caribbean Incubator Facility, which mobilises financial support to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks and channels public and private financing to support scalable solutions through technical assistance and investment grants.“For over two decades, the IDB has partnered with the GEF to bring innovative and impactful environmental solutions to Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Alfredo Rihm, Senior Solid Waste Specialist at IDB. “By combining concessional resources with our technical expertise and financing instruments, we help countries advance sustainable development in critical areas such as solid waste management. This partnership reflects our mission to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean—by supporting governments and the private sector in scaling solutions that protect ecosystems, strengthen communities, and foster long-term resilience.” ISLANDS in Action: High-level panelA high-level panel will formally close the Forum, featuring outside voices with expertise on e-waste, ELVs and highly hazardous waste. It will be broadcast live on UN Web TV and on gefislands.orgLooking ahead in the ISLANDS Programme, two pilot projects are set to launch in 2025 in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line, to improve plastic waste management from cruise ships in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The pilots will test practical solutions to reduce marine plastic pollution. They will strengthen waste segregation, collection, and recycling at ports and in nearby communities.For more information and to watch the closing panel livestream, visit: gefislands/events/islands-forum-2025/ NOTES TO EDITORS:About ISLANDS The Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS) Programme is a $515-million, five-year initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility, supporting 33 Small Island Developing States in four regions - the Atlantic, Caribbean, Indian and Pacific - to improve chemicals and waste management in their territories. ISLANDS is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Inter-American Development Bank. About 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 generationsAbout the Global Environment Facility The Global Environment Facility is the largest multilateral fund working to enable developing countries to invest in nature. It supports the implementation of international environmental conventions on biodiversity, climate change, chemicals, and desertification. Since 1991, it has provided more than $21.7 billion in grants and blended finance and mobilized an additional $119 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 projects and programmes.About the GGKPThe Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is a global network of experts and organizations dedicated to providing the policy, business and finance communities with knowledge, guidance, data and tools to transition to an inclusive green economy. GGKP executes the ISLANDS Coordination, Communications and Knowledge Management (CCKM) child project, which is designed to help foster knowledge-sharing, communication, and peer learning across the ISLANDS Programme. MEDIA CONTACT: Elena Chernysheva, ISLANDS Communications, elena.chernysheva@un.org

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Press Release

05 May 2025

Dominica: First visit by UN Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights

The expert will examine and document the human rights impacts of climate change, the challenges and progress of international climate cooperation, and the needs for international technical assistance, capacity-building and international finance in Dominica.The Special Rapporteur will also analyse the integration of human rights-based approaches, including gender and intersectional perspectives, across climate change adaptation policies and responses to loss and damage.Morgera will meet with Government officials, representatives from civil society and other stakeholders including communities affected by climate change. Meetings will be held in the capital Roseau and other regions.The Special Rapporteur will present her preliminary findings and recommendations at a press conference on 14 May at 9:00am local time at the Fort Young Hotel (Victoria Street, Roseau) in Roseau. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.The Special Rapporteur will present a report on the visit to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.ENDSMs. Elisa Morgera is the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/For additional information and media requests please contact: frederique.bourque@un.orgFor media enquiries regarding the visit, please contact Carol-Ann Gaskin carol-ann.gaskin@un.org.For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) and Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org).

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Press Release

01 May 2025

Guyana’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Guyana is one of 14 States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session from 28 April to 9 May 2025. The first, second and third UPR reviews of Guyana took place in May 2010, January 2015 and January 2020, respectively.The UPR Working Group is comprised of the 47 Member States of the Human Rights Council. However, each of the 193 UN Member States can participate in a country review.The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the special procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Guyana on 6 May can be found here.Location: Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva.Time and date: 14:30 – 18:00, Tuesday, 6 May 2025 (GMT+1).The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN Member States have been reviewed thrice. During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.The delegation of Guyana will be led by Ambassador Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations in New York, accompanied by Ms. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Guyana are Belgium, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Dominican Republic.The webcast of the session will be at: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1q/k1qw0iej2oThe list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Guyana will be posted on the UPR Extranet.The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Guyana on Friday, 9 May 2025, between 16:00 and 18:00 (GMT+1). The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during its review. // ENDS // For more information and media requests, please contact Pascal Sim, Media Officer, at simp@un.org, David Díaz Martín, Public Information Officer at david.diazmartin@un.org, and Matthew Brown, Public Information Officer, at matthew.brown@un.orgTo learn more about the Universal Periodic Review: www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-mainSign up for the UN Human Rights Council Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/a3a538479938/hrc-mailshot-to-ohchr-global

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