The Week Ahead with the UN in the Caribbean: 5 - 11 August 2024

President of the United Nations General Assembly Visits Trinidad and Tobago

The President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis will undertake official visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from 4 –7 August.

While in Port of Spain, the PGA will hold separate bilateral meetings with H.E. Nigel de Freitas, Acting President; H.E. Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister; H.E. Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs; Senator the Honourable Dr. Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim, Acting President of the Senate; and Mrs. Bridgid Annisette-George M.P., Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, the PGA assumed the role in September 2023 with full support of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and subsequent endorsement by his regional group. This will be his first official visit to Port of Spain in this capacity. He will use the opportunity of his visit to exchange views with the leadership of Trinidad and Tobago on the state of multilateralism and, among others, ongoing preparations for the Summit of the Future and the High-Level Meeting on sea-level rise, both in September.

The PGA is further expected to hold discussions with the UN Country Team in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as meet with the Network of Rural Women Producers. A staunch advocate for education and its role in elevating and empowering young people, the PGA will also engage with students and staff at the Woodbrook Secondary School, his Alma Mater.

Furthermore, the PGA will participate in a roundtable discussion on #ChooseSustainability: Building Resilient and Prosperous Societies, which will delve into the vital role of the General Assembly and its support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) amidst a polarized multilateral landscape. This will present a unique opportunity for Students of the Institute of International Relations of the University of the West Indies to engage with the PGA and gain insights into the significance of global sustainability efforts.

President of the United Nations General Assembly Visits Guyana

The PGA will subsequently visit Guyana from 7-10 August. The United Nations in Guyana will convene two events as part of his programme, one of which will be a Misinformation and Disinformation Workshop. More information will be made available on his engagements in Guyana later on in this week.

Upcoming UN Observances

Friday 09 August - International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples will be observed under the theme 'Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact'. Around 200 groups of Indigenous Peoples currently live in voluntary isolation and initial contact. In today’s hyper-connected world, the existence of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact is a testament to the rich and complex tapestry of humanity, and it is a huge loss to our world if they cease to exist.
 

The UN will host an event marking the day where speakers will share their expertise on protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact at 9 am AST, 9/08/2024.

Register Here

Sunday 11 August - World Steelpan Day will be officially observed for the first time ever, celebrating the steelpan, a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. The steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment.