Earlier this week, on Wednesday 1 October 2025, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines took a historic step by implementing full freedom of movement under the Enhanced Cooperation Protocol to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. This bold initiative allows nationals from these four CARICOM member states to live and work freely across each other’s countries, eliminating the need for work permits or visas, and granting access to rights such as public health and education. It is a milestone that meets and reflects both the aspirations towards regional integration and the realities of the Caribbean region.Addressing Fears, Embracing OpportunityChange often brings uncertainty. Some citizens worry about the potential for job competition, pressure on public services, or the loss of national identity. These concerns are valid and deserve careful attention. But freedom of movement in the Caribbean is not new, for the citizens of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), it has been a reality since 2011. This experience shows that with the right policies and cooperation, such fears can be managed while unlocking real benefits.The new protocol is not about open borders without rules. It is about safe, orderly, and regular migration, ensuring that movement is managed, rights are protected, and opportunities are shared. Participating countries will work together to monitor not only the number of entries, but also the broader impacts on employment, social security, education, health, and housing. This collaborative approach will help address concerns as they arise and ensure that migration supports, rather than undermines, national development and security.Migration as a Driver of Growth and ResilienceMany CARICOM States are experiencing labour shortages in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, construction, tourism, and education. At the same time, declining fertility rates and net outward migration are leading to an aging and shrinking workforce. Freedom of movement offers a way to match skills with opportunities, fill critical gaps, and support economic growth and sustainable development.Barbados, for example, is seeing rapid growth in construction and tourism, but contractors report difficulties finding enough workers. Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines face similar constraints, while Dominica’s health sector has been affected by the outward migration of healthcare workers. Agriculture has been prioritized for food security in the region, but struggles in some countries to attract sufficient labour. By allowing skills, talent, human resource to move where it is needed most, the new regime can help all four countries—and the wider CARICOM community—become more resilient and prosperous.The Power of Evidence-Based PolicyPerhaps the most important opportunity created by this new era is the chance to capture and analyze data on migration in real time. For the first time, participating states will be able to systematically track the impact of free movement—not just on migration flows, but on wages, social services, and community well-being. This evidence will empower all CARICOM Member States to make informed decisions about their own migration policies, both nationally and as part of the Caribbean Community.A Shared FutureMigration has always been part of the Caribbean story, shaping our societies and economies over centuries. With this groundbreaking adoption of free movement by Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, CARICOM is boldly embracing a future where migration is recognized as a catalyst for positive change, provided it is managed with care and foresight. As the International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to support CARICOM to develop a Regional Migration Policy Framework, it is vital that all voices are heard and engaged in shaping this shared vision. We hope that the citizens of the four pioneer States can seize this moment and step confidently into a new era of freedom and deeper integration, where they feel mutually welcomed, and where they realize for themselves the transformative potential of safe, orderly migration for the prosperity and resilience of the Caribbean..........................................................................................This Op-Ed was first published by IOM UN Migration | Latin America and the Caribbean

She warned that truth, trust and fairness were fraying under the weight of war, inequality and climate crisis.“Countries of different sizes, capacities and cultures can only survive in the world in which we live if we maintain a rules-based system,” Ms. Mottley said in her address to the UN General Assembly.“The law of the jungle does not guarantee any of us a future or a liveable planet.”She said the “crisis of truth” is undermining institutions that once promoted order and prosperity, eroding trust between citizens and governments, and turning news, science and law into a tawdry spectacle.“When we lose shared truth, our countries and our global society lose their center of gravity,” she warned. Conflicts and crisisTurning to the proliferation of warfare, Prime Minister Mottley reiterated the need for peace in Ukraine but also pressed governments not to ignore suffering elsewhere.“The world must not ignore the horror in Sudan and...it must not ignore the horror in Gaza,” she said. She called for the release of hostages, while denouncing disproportionate attacks on Palestinians.She underlined the need for urgent humanitarian funding, saying $66 million was needed for Gaza’s children and $200 million for Sudan over the next three months – largely for food, water and health needs.Climate changeOn climate change, Ms. Mottley urged leaders to act with honesty and urgency.She welcomed international court opinions affirming states’ obligations to curb emissions and proposed a binding global framework on methane to slow temperature rise.“The fossil fuel industry is not the enemy – it is the emissions,” she said, urging political will to unlock $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to finance the green transition.The Barbadian leader criticized the chronic underfunding of climate finance and the “grossly under-capitalised” Loss and Damage Fund.Ms. Mottley also tied the climate and development agenda back to the central question of global governance. She warned that debates risk becoming “performative exercises” unless backed by resources and a functioning system rooted in fairness.“If we are to be protected by a rules-based system, then we must step up to the plate and provide the funds to bridge the gap to deliver the results that we desire,” she said.Ms. Mottley also touched on UN reform, insisting the Security Council must reflect today’s multipolar world.“You cannot ask us really to show up for family photos and votes when you need them and then exclude us from the family’s decision making. As if you are the grown-ups and we are the children.”A Palestinian girl’s messagePrime Minister Mottley ended with the image of a young Palestinian girl aged six or seven walking through the rubble in Gaza with hollow eyes and her sister on her shoulders.“It was clear she was in great pain, yet she recognised it was she who would have to carry the burden of taking them to safety,” she said.Calling the scene “the ultimate picture of hope and resilience,” Ms. Mottley urged leaders to draw strength from it.“If a six-year-old can push past the physical and emotional pain and still find hope that there is a better moment ahead of her, then we, with much more and with an obligation to many more, must summon that same will. The world needs it now more than ever.” More UNGA80 Messages from the CaribbeanThe Prime Minister joined other Caribbean leaders in striking a common chord around four urgent priorities: Safeguarding the Caribbean as a zone of peace;Accelerating climate action, with emphasis on fully capitalising and simplifying access to the Loss and Damage Fund, which provides predictable financial support to vulnerable countries for climate-related loss and damage;Advancing a fairer, more inclusive multilateral system that reflects the growing role of emerging powers while ensuring the vulnerabilities and voices of small island states are fully recognised;Reforming the global financial architecture to ensure affordable, predictable finance, including vulnerability-based eligibility, concessional terms and debt relief. Access the full playlist of addresses delivered by Caribbean Heads of State and Government and their representatives at the General Debate of 80th Session of the UN General Assembly High-level Week: CLICK HERE............................................................This story was first published by UN News and has been adapted to include more information about the Caribbean region's participation in the UNGA80 General Debate.

At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly this week, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) signed their first cooperation agreement to strengthen the region’s resilience and unlock new sources of growth.UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan and CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett formalized the agreement on the sidelines of the Assembly. It sets out collaboration in key areas: strengthening statistics, fostering innovation and industrial policy, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, boosting services and the digital economy, improving trade facilitation and enhancing food security.Why it matters to small island developing StatesFor the Caribbean, one of the world’s most vulnerable regions, the stakes are high. Small island developing states (SIDS) face repeated external shocks – from climate events to global financial volatility – while depending heavily on sectors such as tourism. Diversification across sectors – from digital services and e-commerce to resilient food systems and innovative industrial policies – is not just an option but a necessity for long-term sustainability.“The Caribbean’s creativity and dynamism are well known,” Ms Grynspan said. “But to turn potential into real transformation, countries need reliable data, stronger digital infrastructure and policies that empower entrepreneurs. UNCTAD stands ready to accompany CARICOM on this journey.”Concrete way forwardThe agreement marks a concrete step forward in implementing UNCTAD’s strategy to support SIDS. It builds on ongoing initiatives, including a joint project on trade in services statistics with CARICOM and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.By pooling efforts at the regional level, UNCTAD and CARICOM aim to translate today’s opportunities – from creative industries and digital finance to trade facilitation and food security – into inclusive growth, jobs and a more resilient future for the Caribbean............................................................................................This news was first published by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Every person deserves the right to communicate, learn, and participate in society. For deaf children and adults, sign language provides that critical gateway.Globally, more than 70 million people are deaf, and over 80% live in developing countries. Recognizing and promoting sign language is not a niche issue -  it is a matter of fundamental human rights
On 23 September, the world marks the International Day of Sign Languages, a United Nations observance that highlights the essential role of sign language in ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights.In Caribbean small island developing states, members of the deaf community continue to face significant challenges of access, inclusive education, and  civic participation. Deaf individuals must be able to communicate in their own language to fully exercise their rights – and policies affecting deaf people must include their voices and leadership.The UNESCO (United Nations Scientific and Cultural  Organization) World Atlas of Languages, which documents more than 8,000 spoken and signed languages, reminds us that each one is part of humanity’s shared heritage. When deaf individuals are included, communities benefit from richer cultural expression, stronger civic engagement, and a more equitable social fabric.According to UNESCO, education remains a critical entry point for inclusion. Sign language improves learning outcomes and preserves cultural heritage, and  its early exposure supports cognitive, emotional, and social development.Across the world, more than 300 sign languages exist, yet only 78 countries legally recognize them. It is critical that  in the  Caribbean we move swiftly to further advance recognition and integration of sign language into education.Ensuring access to media and information are also central to inclusion and civic participation. In this regard, the United Nations System is supporting Caribbean countries to advance inclusive digital transformation strategies.In Antigua and Barbuda, for example, the UN  supports the national Digital Transformation Framework, including through a public communications campaign interpreted in sign language to promote inclusive digital readiness and affirming the right to be informed.Caribbean governments, civil society, and educators all have a critical role to play in supporting early education in sign language, ensuring accessible public services, and fostering inclusive participation in civic life.UNESCO’s upcoming "Knowledge Series on Empowering Persons with Disabilities in Caribbean SIDS" will offer valuable insights into inclusive policies, adaptive technologies, and accessible infrastructure; initiatives that are all vital for creating opportunities where people with disabilities, including the deaf, can thrive.These efforts reflect the UN’s shared commitment to disability inclusion outlined in the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy. By recognizing sign language rights, we advance human rights, promote inclusion, and empower citizens to contribute fully to society. Preserving and promoting sign language is more than a means of communication, it is a gateway to dignity, equality, and opportunity. Inclusion is not charity—it is smart development and social cohesion.When we recognize and support sign languages , we celebrate human potential and embrace diversity. When we include all voices, we build a Caribbean that is vibrant, resilient, and truly equitable.
On this International Day of Sign Languages, let us commit to building an inclusive Caribbean, where every deaf child, student, and adult  is heard, seen, and valued and no one left behind.