RC Trebucq’s Opening Remarks to the 2nd Grenada-UN High Level Engagement

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

•    Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, Petite Martinique and Carriacou
•    Honourable Ministers of Government 
•    Members of the Senior Managers’ Board (Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments), 
•    Advisors From the Grenada Delegation
•    Heads Of UN Agencies and Colleagues with responsibility for Barbados and The Eastern Caribbean 
•    Members of the Media
•    Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Opening:

Good morning everyone.

It is a pleasure to be back in Grenada so soon. Honourable Prime Minister, as you know, I was here less than two weeks ago to celebrate your 50th Anniversary of Independence. The vibrant and culturally rich celebration was truly befitting such an occasion. There is much to be proud of as a people, and I was honoured to share that moment with you.

This Dialogue comes at a crucial juncture for Grenada. You are reflecting on your achievements as a young independent nation, celebrating your 50th anniversary of joining the United Nations, and preparing to sign a new Country Implementation Plan (CIP) with the UN, outlining our collaboration over the next two years.

Strong partnership:

We at the UN have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Grenada, one that has grown even stronger in recent years. I appreciate the presence of several HoAs and agency staff today, demonstrating our commitment to collaboration and multilateralism, particularly in advancing Agenda 2030.

Thank you, Prime Minister, for convening this timely meeting as Grenada reflects on its achievements and gears up for the next chapter. Signing the new Country Implementation Plan signifies a renewed commitment to working together toward shared goals.

UN's role:

My mission as Resident Coordinator is to bring the UN Development System closer to each Eastern Caribbean nation, offering a more coordinated and impactful approach. We have been working diligently with the government and stakeholders to support your national priorities, and our portfolio has grown substantially.

Review of past engagements:

Following your election, the Grenada-UN Dialogue in August 2022 proved invaluable in understanding your priorities and adjusting our course. Digitalization, youth employment, inclusivity, economic diversification, gender equality, small business competitiveness, and education reform emerged as key areas. My colleagues will further detail our responses to these areas.

Minister Tevin Andrews' invitation to Carriacou highlighted the specific challenges faced by this sister island. The new fully equipped lab at the hospital, thanks to PAHO support, exemplifies our commitment to action beyond mere discussions.

New CIP:

The new CIP 2024-25, valued at USD 16 million and involving 12 agencies, offers both financial and technical assistance. It prioritizes:

• Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction
• Business competitiveness and value chains (including agriculture)
• Jobs, livelihoods, and decent work, focusing on youth and women's economic empowerment
• Social services (social protection, health, and education)
• Creative industries
• Digitalization

These goals align perfectly with Grenada's NSDP 2035 and Vision 75. My colleagues will provide further details and a presentation.

UN-Grenada Partnership for the Future:

Today, let's explore specific areas for further collaboration:

1. SDG Acceleration: With only six years left, we need to work together to improve inter-ministerial cooperation and strengthen SDG data collection and reporting.
2. Sustaining the Spotlight Initiative: We've made significant progress in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in Grenada. Let's consolidate these gains and continue our work beyond the initiative's closure.
3. Digital Transformation: Embracing digitalization is crucial for building resilience and creating new opportunities in the digital economy.
4. Youth and Education: Addressing youth unemployment and strengthening social protection is vital, especially considering the rise of crime and violence. It's also key to retaining skilled talent in the region.
5. Resilience and Climate Adaptation: We need to enhance Grenada's ability to access climate finance by improving regulations, developing a strong investment portfolio, and strengthening partnerships.
6. Strengthening Engagement Modalities: Let's review what has worked and what hasn't. Your ambitious Vision 75 demands innovative thinking and challenging the status quo. Today is the space to do that.

Conclusion:

Thank you for your partnership and trust. Congratulations on your remarkable achievements, your vision, and your 50 years as a UN member. Let's discuss how we can further strengthen our collaboration and achieve impactful results together.