The UNESCO Office for the Caribbean was pleased to present the UNESCO Caribbean Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Roadmap at the 126th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development – Information and Communication Technologies (COTED-ICT), a principal organ of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that advances the regional Single Market and Economy and promotes regional cooperation on trade, ICT, and sustainable development.During the meeting, members of COTED-ICT endorsed the Roadmap, sending a significant and strong signal of the region's shared approach to AI. Launched in 2024, the Roadmap provides a regional framework for AI policy development and collaboration. It is grounded in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, and is also informed by consultations that took place with more than 1,000 stakeholders across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.UNESCO's commitment though, extends beyond the Roadmap as it is already working with Member States and regional partners to help translate principles into practice. This includes UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology, with work completed or underway in several countries across the region, helping identify policy gaps, strengthen institutional capacity, and establish practical priorities for ethical and inclusive AI governance in the Caribbean."The Caribbean should not simply consume AI technologies developed elsewhere, but should help shape how AI is governed, used and directed toward the public good. AI will shape the future of the Caribbean. Together, we can ensure that it does so in ways that protect rights, advance inclusion, strengthen resilience and expand opportunity for every citizen, in every island and territory."
— Eric Falt, Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO"For CARICOM, digital transformation is no longer optional. The rules governing digital trade, AI, and data are evolving rapidly, often without the meaningful participation of Small States. We must act collectively and strategically to ensure that our region is not left at the margins. AI is accelerating our transition to a more connected, data-driven world. It presents a unique opportunity for CARICOM countries to leapfrog traditional development pathways, foster innovation, and create high-quality jobs, while also demanding careful stewardship to ensure inclusion, trust, and ethical use." — The Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology in the CARICOM Quasi CabinetThe endorsement of the UNESCO Caribbean Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Roadmap marks an important step toward strengthening regional collaboration and supporting the development of AI policies that are inclusive, trustworthy, and aligned with sustainable development.....................................................................This news was first published by UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean.

For a newborn baby, the circumstances of birth dictate the trajectory of a lifetime. Across the Caribbean, a quiet revolution is underway to ensure that path is defined by health, not inherited illness.Thanks to a powerful alliance fueled by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and spearheaded by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Caribbean nations are rapidly dismantling the threat of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B.The project is supported by a US$1 million grant from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, a flagship initiative of South-South Cooperation implemented through the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), reflecting commitment to partnership with the Global South.The project, “Strengthening the EMTCT Strategy with Maternal and Child Health Services in CARICOM Member States,” is bridging critical gaps in regional healthcare. By reinforcing leadership within Maternal and Child Health, upgrading laboratory diagnostic capacity, and strengthening surveillance, it is transforming how the region protects its most vulnerable, utilizing a systematic and inter-programmatic approach.Historic Milestones on the HorizonYears of grit and political will are yielding historic dividends. Recently, two Caribbean nations received certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on what was once thought impossible: the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of diseases.The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI): Made global history by becoming the first territory in the Americas—and only the third globally—to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B. They were also certified for eliminating the mother to child transmission of HIV.The Bahamas:  Certified as having eliminated mother-to-child HIV transmission.The Bahamian success story is one of innovation pioneered in the late 1990s through a deeply empathetic healthcare model, providing universal screening and antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of their nationality or legal status. The experience and lessons learnt, backed by standardized protocols, supportive laboratory services and advance treatment, were shared with other Caribbean countries and contributed significantly to the reduction of perinatal transmission of HIV.Both Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness in the Bahamas and Prime Minister, Hon. Philip Davis, recognized the contribution of the late Dr. Michael Perry Gomez, whose visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the national HIV response in the Bahamas charted the course to elimination.“And today we celebrate this great milestone on behalf of a great physician, a dedicated Bahamian, and a friend and mentor… As we celebrate our achievements, we pause to honor those who lay the foundation for this success…  His work reminds us that progress in public health is never accidental,” remarked Minister Darville.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Davis stressed the enduring contributions of the late Dr. Michael Perry Gomez, reminding us that progress in public health is never accidental.  “This achievement stands as a powerful example of what is possible when healthcare is placed at the center of national development. As a government, we reaffirm that healthcare is not a privilege. It is a right. It is the core pillar of our national agenda,” he affirmed. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands emphasized that though they were proud of the they are very aware of the responsibility it brings. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustain these gains, strengthening our systems, and ensuring that every mother, every child continues to build and benefit from the high quality, equitable, and accessible health care,” Mr Knowles noted.The certification was described by Premier, the Hon. Charles Washington Misick, as representative of the strength of their institutions, effective partnerships, and unwavering commitment to protecting health and well-being. “It demonstrates that regardless of our size, we possess the vision, determination, and capacity to lead by example and set standards others may aspire to. Today's success did not happen overnight… It is the result of years of dedication, strategic planning, and sustained investment,” he affirmed. A Triumph of Global Solidarity
These historic achievements have drawn praise from leaders worldwide, highlighting the power of international cooperation.Following the celebration in TCI, His Excellency Mayank Joshi, High Commissioner of India, noted that the milestone transcends statistics:  "It reflects strong multistakeholder partnership and years of investment in maternal and child healthcare, strengthened health systems, effective surveillance, and a collective commitment to ensuring that every child can begin life healthy and free from preventable diseases. India is proud to support such initiatives through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund."Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, echoed this sentiment, stating that these certifications prove what can be achieved through "sustained political commitment, strong health systems, and equitable access to care."Closer to home, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, pointed to the local dedication driving the shift. "These achievements show the power of integrated primary health care and the importance of leaving no one behind, including the most vulnerable populations," he noted.Meanwhile, Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Assistant Director of PAHO-WHO, emphasized that the foundation of TCI’s victory rested on its stellar immunization infrastructure. “The hepatitis B birth dose remains a critical intervention... the experience of the Turks and Caicos Islands demonstrates how a strong immunization program can serve as a foundation for elimination.”The Engine Room of Progress: Training and SurveillanceBehind these headlines is a massive, ongoing capacity-building effort to ensure the sustainability of the gains. Since November 2025, more than 600 healthcare professionals from CARICOM member states and territories have undergone intensive virtual training sessions aimed at overall strengthening of the EMTCT primary prevention and treatment services at the primary care level.Coordinated by the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Program Coordination Office, these virtual capacity building sessions are aligned with a "Community of Practice, " which allows for ongoing and real-time exchange of lessons learned and experiences to further strengthen EMTCT policies, programming and implementation within Maternal and Child Health.“The Caribbean has the enviable record of leading the world in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV because out of 23 certifications globally, almost 60% come from this region,” said Luisa Cabal, Regional Director at UNAIDS.“The elimination of vertical transmission is no small feat.  This has played a significant role in the reductions of new infections by 21% in the Caribbean that have occurred since 2010. UNAIDS as a partner recognizes and commends PAHO for its leadership in driving the regional elimination agenda and supporting countries through its elimination platform. Importantly, the certification comes as the world pushes to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” she added.Wendy Telford-Emanuelson, Executive Director of the PAN Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS, agreed, noting that the EMTCT initiative aligns perfectly with the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework 2026-2030. "Health is not solely the responsibility of the health sector, but a shared responsibility across all sectors of society," she said, expressing gratitude for India's funding and PAHO's technical leadership.A Reminder of the StakesDespite the celebrations, regional health officials warn against complacency. The battle is far from won.Recent data reported to PAHO reveals a sobering reality: congenital syphilis cases skyrocketed by 40% across the Americas between 2016 and 2022, with over 36,000 cases reported in 2022 alone. Furthermore, 19 out of 26 reporting countries noted a sharp rise in syphilis infections among pregnant women.These rising numbers serve as a stark reminder of why sustained vigilance is non-negotiable.Key Pillars of the Caribbean Health Renewal:Universal Screening: Expanding rapid, point-of-care testing to close existing gaps in pregnant women while scaling-up testing and treatment for the general population.Data-Driven Advocacy: Upgrading national surveillance to ensure the availability of systems to adequately monitor and track cases.The Birth Dose Commitment: Ensuring every newborn receives immediate Hepatitis B vaccination protection at birth as well as follow-up immunization, based on the national protocol.The elimination of mother-to-child disease transmission remains a crowning pillar of PAHO’s broader regional agenda. By tackling these systemic healthcare gaps head-on, the Caribbean is not just fighting infections - it is building an equitable, resilient future where the next generation is guaranteed the healthiest possible start to life......................................................This story was first published by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The Caribbean’s food systems challenge is fast evolving into a broader development challenge.Despite decades of policy attention and investment, the region remains one of the most food import-dependent in the world, spending over US$6 billion annually. At the same time, countries continue to grapple with food insecurity, high rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases, climate vulnerability, and exposure to external shocks that can disrupt supply chains and drive up food prices almost overnight.For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), food security has shifted from an agriculture focus alone; it’s about economic resilience, health, climate resilience and sustainable growth.Recognizing this reality, Caribbean governments have elevated food systems transformation as a regional priority through the CARICOM 25 x 25 Plus Five Agenda, which seeks to reduce food import dependence while strengthening domestic production, regional trade, and resilience. Across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, governments have also developed National Food Systems Pathways that identify the investments, partnerships, and policy reforms needed to transform food systems and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Yet one challenge has remained persistent: financing.In the face of high levels of public debt and limited fiscal space, while public investment remains critical, Caribbean governments simply cannot shoulder the financing burden alone. Transforming food systems at scale requires mobilizing far greater private capital, alongside development finance and public resources. This was the rationale behind the recent Food Systems Investment Forum convened in Barbados.The Forum brought together governments, investors, international financial institutions, private sector leaders, regional organizations, and the United Nations around a simple proposition: food systems should be viewed not only as a development priority, but also as an investable asset class. A distinguishing feature of the innovative gathering was its focus on attracting private investment—particularly private equity, impact investment, and blended finance solutions capable of supporting businesses and infrastructure across food value chains. By helping enterprises access growth capital and connecting investors with scalable opportunities, the initiative sought to unlock financing that complements public investment rather than adding to already constrained public balance sheets.A key outcome was the launch of a regional Deal Book comprising approximately US$320 million in investment opportunities across seven countries, spanning agriculture, fisheries, agro-processing, logistics, and strategic food systems infrastructure. The Deal Book created a practical bridge between capital seeking opportunities and opportunities seeking capital, while enabling direct engagement between governments, enterprises, and investors.The results were encouragingAcross four sector-focused deal rooms, participants explored investment-ready and near-investment-ready opportunities and discussed blended finance, private equity, risk-sharing, and partnerships to advance projects toward implementation.The Forum highlighted a shift in perspective: food systems are now seen as strategic drivers of economic diversification, resilience, competitiveness, and growth. Investments across production, processing, logistics, and distribution can strengthen regional supply chains, create new businesses, generate jobs, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.For the United Nations, this experience reinforced an important lesson.Transforming food systems requires more than the technical expertise of individual agencies. It requires integrated solutions that connect agriculture, nutrition, health, climate resilience, trade, private sector development, and financing.This is where the Resident Coordinator System plays a critical role.Across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the Resident Coordinator Office has united UN system capabilities around a common food systems agenda. Working with FAO, WFP, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, and other partners, the RCO has helped align policy support, technical expertise, partnerships, and financing with nationally identified priorities.The Forum demonstrated this integrated approach by convening governments, investors, development finance institutions, private sector actors, and UN agencies around a common objective. It showcased the UN's comparative advantage as a trusted broker capable of connecting development priorities with investment opportunities.The Forum’s success will be measured not by dialogue generated, but by investments mobilized, businesses expanded, and progress made toward resilient, competitive food systems across the Caribbean.Its most important outcome may therefore be what comes next.The work starts now.
 

Ahead of 26 June observance of UN Charter Day, and 81 years after the official signing of the UN Charter that reshaped global governance, Caribbean governments have reaffirmed their allegiance to its vision, and the the principles of peace, justice and human rights for all.Last week, Member States of the  Caribbean Community (CARICOM), collectively reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, while participating in a symbolic Signing Ceremony of the UN Charter  at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Ceremony was among commemorative activities held to observe the  80th anniversary of the United Nations and celebrate its role in fostering  global peace and security. Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency , Ambassador Walton Webson, was among CARICOM dignitaries and officials participating in the signing ceremony . He  reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to the United Nations, as well as the values and principles enshrined in the Charter, which he underlined remained as relevant today, as they did when the Organization was founded in 1945.  “This was an important reminder of the role of the United Nations in promoting peace and security and the ideals of sustainable development and international cooperation, which are so important to Antigua and Barbuda and other CARICOM states,” Ambassador Webson said.Representing the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis was Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, who also underscored her  country’s strong commitment to the UN and its guiding principles.“This symbolic signing serves as a powerful reminder that the principles of the Charter are not merely historical ideals but living commitments that continue to guide the conduct of nations. For Saint Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean Community, the Charter remains a source of both protection and purpose—affirming the sovereign equality of all states while providing a framework through which we can collectively pursue sustainable development, peace, and human dignity. Our participation today reflects our unwavering commitment to these principles and to a strengthened multilateral system capable of meeting the aspirations of present and future generations,” she said.Commenting on the occasion, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, stated:“The United Nations Charter stands as one of humanity’s most important expressions of our shared commitment to peace, cooperation, and respect for the sovereign equality of nations. As we mark its 80th anniversary, Saint Kitts and Nevis proudly reaffirms its faith in multilateralism and in the capacity of nations, working together, to address the challenges of our time. For small states, the United Nations remains an indispensable institution through which our voices are heard, our interests advanced, and our contributions to global progress realized.”As CARICOM nations continue to confront the impacts of global challenges and multiple shocks — from climate change and natural disasters to conflict, insecurity, soaring energy costs, rising food prices, and macro‑economic stress — the UN remains steadfast in its partnership to advance a peaceful, just, and sustainable future for all............................................................This story was first published by UN Barbados and Eastern Caribbean.