BRIDGETOWN, Bridgetown – The United Nations has launched its 2025 Annual Results Report for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, highlighting how coordinated UN action is delivering tangible results for people across the sub‑region delivering USD 73.7 million in support of governments’ development priorities across the sub-region, amid intensifying climate, economic and social challenges.
The launch took place at a press conference with participation from senior UN leadership as well as chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Terrance Drew, where the UN underscored its continued support to Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) through resilience‑building, inclusive growth and people‑centred solutions aligned with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the press conference, UN Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett, noted that across the Eastern Caribbean, 2025 was shaped by climate vulnerability and economic volatility, which for SIDS, are not abstract global risks—but lived realities, felt in livelihoods, food security, health systems, and the safety of communities.
“This report tells a story—not just of programmes and numbers—but of people, partnership, and resilience. It shows clearly that when strong national leadership is matched with effective multilateral cooperation, real progress is possible, even in the most challenging global environment,” he said.
“This is also a powerful statement about multilateralism. For Small Island Developing States, multilateral cooperation amplifies Caribbean voices, unlocks financing, strengthens regional systems, and helps transform vulnerability into resilience.”
In 2025, the United Nations significantly scaled up climate action across the Eastern Caribbean, mobilising over USD 36 million for climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, climate‑smart agriculture and disaster risk reduction. This included the launch of a Barbados-based Regional Logistics Hub, enhancing regional surge capacity and visibility of more than 440 metric tons of relief supplies across nine countries to support faster and more effective disaster response.
Making it clear that the UN does not work in isolation, the UN head underscored that UN support is “grounded in government priorities and designed as integrated solutions to interconnected risks.”
“The United Nations remains fully committed to walking this path with governments and partners across the Eastern Caribbean—delivering together, listening to communities, and ensuring that development progress is resilient, equitable, and lasting.”
“One message stands out above all: partnership matters. Whether responding to hurricanes, mobilising climate finance, supporting national reforms, or investing in digital transformation, progress has been driven by cooperation—at the national, regional, and international levels,” he maintained.
Delivering remarks virtually on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), chairman, Dr Terrance Drew, commended the UN for its strong support across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean amidst significant external shocks including climate-related disasters, economic uncertainty rising debt burdens, food and energy insecurity and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman, Drew, continued: “The 2025 Annual Results Report reinforces what CARICOM has long recognized that multilateral cooperation is most effective when grounded in local; realities and aligned with regional priorities.”
Prime Minister Drew also maintained that for SIDS, development cannot be separated from the climate crisis and welcomed this recognition through tailored UN support delivered in 2025.
“The UN, under the Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF), demonstrated the value of linking climate action, disaster risk reduction, financing and social protection to build practical resilience. This Report also underscores the importance of people-centred development and regional collaboration. Investments in health system, youth and women’s empowerment, governance and institutional strengthening are investments in stability, dignity and opportunity for our citizens.”
The CARICOM chair in his remarks also addressed the issue of UN Reform, making a strong call to balance reforms with maintaining targeted support to Caribbean states.
“CARICOM is also closely following the UN80 Initiative. While we support efforts to modernise and strengthen the United Nations, we remain concerned that efficiency-driven reforms must not weaken in-country presence or reduce context-specific technical expertise critical to the Caribbean, including support for the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS). Reforms must strengthen local capacity and ensure predictable, responsive financing for vulnerable states,” chairman, Drew asserted.
Participants at the press conference were:
- Brian Bogart, representative and country director WFP Caribbean Multi-country Office, who provided an overview of the UN’s work around Resilience to Climate Change and Sustainable Natural Resource Management;
- Stephanie Ziebell, Deputy Resident Representative UNDP Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, who highlighted key results to foster Peace, Safety, Justice and Rule of Law;
- Roberto Telleria, Policy Officer, FAO Subregional Office of the Caribbean, who discussed UN collective support to foster Economic Resilience and Shared Prosperity;
- Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries, who spoke of health systems strengthening and social protection support to ensure Equality, Well-Being and Leaving No one Behind;
- Cleveland Thomas, International Telecommunication Union, Area Office Representative for the Caribbean Region, also spoke regarding UN support in advancing digitalization and innovation to enhance school connectivity, maritime safety and disaster preparedness.
- Patrice Quesada, IOM Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission for Barbados, discussed UN efforts to support migration and regional migration policy.
Following the formal presentations, members of the print, broadcast and television media further engaged UN personnel on the 2025 results and what these meant in practicality for citizens across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
People‑centred support remained central to UN action, including cash assistance to more than 7,700 people affected by Hurricane Beryl, helping protect food security, livelihoods and dignity.
Looking ahead to 2026, United Nations priorities include finalizing a new Cooperation Framework for the next five-years, scaling up anticipatory action ahead of the hurricane season, and deepening alignment with the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.
- The full 2025 Annual Results Report – easterncaribbean.un.org