Record UN investment in Trinidad and Tobago in 2022

The UN Country Team in Trinidad and Tobago spent a record US $10 million investing in the country's sustainable development in 2022, as it deepens its commitment to post-pandemic recovery and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN in T&T unveiled its 2022 Results Report during a launch event on April 19, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

Government partners, donors, international financial institutions, development actors, private sector representatives and civil society groups attended the launch.

"The UN Country Team is accelerating our delivery as we count a mere seven years left until 2030," said Resident Coordinator a.i., Reuben Robertson, during his welcome remarks. "That enhanced delivery is bringing expanded resources with it. These resources are being invested in areas which T&T has deemed a priority: data modernisation, health, education, climate adaptation and environmental management, child welfare, women’s empowerment and agriculture."

During an overview of key deliverables, the UN Country Team revealed that 15 UN agencies conducted projects in T&T in 2022. They spent a total of US $10.01m, up from US $7.82m in 2021. 

This funding was spent on a total of 137 activities. The bulk of these activities was concentrated on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 15 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Minister of Planning and Development, The Honourable Pennelope Beckles, reaffirmed Government's commitment to partnering with the UN to shape sustainable development progress.

"The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago commends the UN for its invaluable contributions to the growth and development of our twin-island State. I want to re-emphasise our commitment to sustainable development cooperation with our UN counterparts toward realising Vision 2030, the country's long-term development strategy, and the Sustainable Develppment Goals. I commend you all for the work you have been doing and continue to do."

Major projects highlighted during the launch included: 

• The development of a renewable energy policy, an accompanying implementation plan including a Feed in Tariff policy for renewable power users to generate their own power and sell excess energy back to the main grid, and the piloting of 12 solar panel installations across T&T;
• The installation of 7 stream gauges in densely-populated, flood-prone communities  - 5 in Trinidad and 2 in Tobago- alongside the handover of a high speed flood modelling computer for the Water Resources Agency to generate flood model maps within 24 hours;
• The launch of a National Children's Registry to monitor developmental milestones among children;
• The training of 1700+ Government officials and partner staff on mental health support and social protection;
• The development and launch of National Clinical and Policy Guidelines for the healthcare sector's response to gender-based violence;
• The development and launch of e-textbooks for every level of primary and secondary school in Math, English and Spanish.

During the launch, the UN Country Team also unveiled a magazine digest of its 2022 Results Report, called Snapshots of Success. The magazine was distributed to all attendees.

As part of the launch, 11 UN agencies and programmes hosted an expo to feature interactive displays of the work they did in 2022.

The full 2022 Annual Results Report can be found here.

This story was first published to the United Nations Country Team website for Trinidad and Tobago. The original publication can be viewed here.